“Go back to behaving as if we mean naught to one another.”
“Aye.”
“Mayhap ye should talk about how annoying I am, when ye be with the other men.”
“What makes ye think I do no’?” He ran his hands through her hair. “Ah, no. No one could ever believe ye annoying.”
“Ardahl, I have something to ask ye.”
“Then ask me when we are up and dressed, while ye give me my breakfast.”
“Aye.” She rolled atop him and scooted up his body even as he framed her face between his palms. “But first gi’ me my blessing.”
“Eh?”
“Ye know how ye do it. Kiss me.”
A smile appeared in his eyes, twin sparks of light. He bestowed the kisses, one in each palm, at each corner of her mouth, each cheek, the center of her forehead. “There.”
“Now I may live. Till next time.”
They dressed, and she opened the door curtain so that anyone passing could see they but sat by the fire. That she gave him breakfast. As a sister might.
“What did ye wish to ask o’ me?” he inquired.
“First, promise ye will no’ say nay.”
He laughed, a sound so rare it sent a spur of delight up her spine. “How can I do that?”
“By trusting me. Ye do trust me?”
Their eyes met in a long look. “Wi’ my life. And beyond.”
“Well, then.” She drew a breath. “I want ye to teach me to fight. I ha’ your sword. I need to know how to use it. Should another attack come—”
“Ye did use my sword last time.”
“Not properly. Might I ha’ been able to save Mam, had I been trained? Ardahl, I never want to feel that helpless again.”
“Liadan—no one can know whether you might ha’ saved her.”
“But my heart wonders over it, time after time.”
He eyed her with compassion and caution. “It takes years to train wi’ the sword, as well ye do know. Conall and I started by the age o’ thirteen.”
“Aye, but ye be the best among Fearghal’s warriors. Deny it if ye will,” she challenged him when he began to sputter. “Why d’ye think he keeps ye near to him? And ye and I have—a special connection, aye?”
“Aye.”
“Who better to teach me than ye?”
“’Twill cause a stir. Ye know fine it will.”
“Ye can drill me in secret.”
“Lass, there is no place in the settlement to keep that a secret. Everything is under a watchful eye.”
“Well, but—we will tak’ it out o’ the way. Ye think about it while ye sleep. Ye do need some sleep.” She added in a whisper, “Alone.”
