Would he ask her?
*
What was thatlook? Alannah’s face had softened when Dallan mentioned her coming home with them. Did that mean she wanted to? This wasn’t the time or place to ask her, of course, but Conan knew he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t. Tomorrow. He would ask her tomorrow.
“He’s right,” Conan agreed. “You’d be in good hands with her.”
“The best,” Dallan corrected, looking down his nose at Conan comically. “She’d be in thebesthands with her.”
While they jested and Dallan took a closer look at Alannah’s shoulder wound, Conan caught sight of his brother making his way toward them. Wanting to speak with him privately, Conan hurried to intercept Teague.
A deep furrow etched into Teague’s brow. “Is Emer alright?”
Conan nodded. “Aye. We arrived just in time.” He told Teague the entire story, from how they found Emer in Oran’s clutches, to how Alannah fought him off herself and nearly died. When he’d finished, Teague frowned, rubbing his beard thoughtfully.
“I’ll waive the fine, of course,” he said. “The killing was in self-defense. In payment for the attack on Emer, Oran’s kin will owe the fine for assault, to be paid either in silver or in the gifting of the hostelry to her.”
Conan took a step back. “Oran’s hostelry?” That was a massive overpayment of the fine, should they choose that route.
“It’s possible they have no interest in managing it and would rather keep their silver,” Teague shrugged.
“Teague,” Conan began, taking a deep breath, “I want to thank you for all you’ve done tonight. You stood by me, even though it was a risk.” He extended his hand. “Let’s consider this a new beginning. A clean slate. All our mistakes are in the past.”
Teague beamed at him, the smile going straight from his lips to his umber eyes as he took Conan’s hand. “A new beginning it is.”
One bridge rebuilt. One more to go.
Conan and Teague rejoined the others in front of the hostelry. “Illadan?” Conan addressed their leader. “May I have a moment?”
Illadan followed him toward the stone cottage where they’d stayed.
“I’m sorry that I disobeyed your orders,” Conan began. “But I’m not sorry for upholding my oath to help those in need. The villagers needed help, and I wasn’t about to stand there and watch them be slaughtered. I’m prepared to accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate.”
Illadan crossed his arms. “You’re correct that the situation forced us to choose between two of our oaths, and therefore your actions aligned with one of them. And I agree, that the villagers shouldn’t have been left to fend for themselves, whatever our disagreement with them.” His hazel eyes narrowed. “But that’s not why you defected.”
“No, it’s not.” There was no use denying it. Even if it had violated his oath of loyalty to Brian, Conan couldn’t have stood there and fought Alannah.
Illadan stared at him for several moments. “If you marry her in the next three months, I’ll waive your punishment.”
Conan’s mouth fell open. “What?” He’d expected something truly awful—he’d nearly ruined everything and had renounced his oath, even if only temporarily.
“You also vowed to marry for love. If your actions were aimed to fulfill that oath, I could overlook them.” The corner of Illadan’s lip lifted. “It’s not like the rest of us haven’t fallen prey to similar misadventures, myself included.”
“Thank you,” Conan managed through his shock. “I don’t think I deserve that, but I am grateful for it.”
Illadan started back toward the hall. “Only a man in love would do something so foolish.”
Conan smiled to himself. Wasn’t that that truth.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The following eveningafter the dinner guests had retired for the night, they all sat at one of the long trestle tables in The Hart’s Rest. The whole thing felt so surreal, that just yesterday the bridge had burned and she’d fought and killed Oran. Yet here they sat, laughing and talking just as they had the first night they’d arrived at the hostelry.
This night, however, Teague joined them. Conan had told her that he’d decided to give his brother another chance, to try to mend their relationship. Brian still hadn’t returned from the north with the other kings, so the men took this opportunity to plan how they might find her brothers.
Teague had called his own men to help clean the common room after her battle with Oran, a kindness she’d not soon forget. He’d also waived the fine she owed for killing a man.
“Emer,” he grinned during a lull in the conversation, “I almost forgot. Oran’s relatives would like to keep their silver. His guesting house is yours.”
