‘Venturing deep within Tara’s territory would be an act of war—a war which he’d lose.’
‘What do I know of strategy?’
‘Precisely.’ He nodded and gave the signal to increase the rowing speed and to unfurl the sail. The boat lurched into the open ocean with spray hitting her face. Svanna retreated to the small covered area and sat down on her largest trunk. Safe in the North. She wanted to believe it true. She knew how often safety had been an illusion. Silently, she offered up a prayer that this time she would be able to find a secure harbour for the rest of her life, but experience had taught her not to put too much faith in prayers. Instead, she had to figure out a way to make it happen without relying on anyone else. Seduction perhaps, or ensuring that he saw how useful she could be with his daughter.
* * *
Svanna shaded her eyes and tried to pick out any line of green on the horizon. She’d spent most of the voyage daydreaming about what she’d do when she finally met Rand’s little girl and how she’d ensure Birdie would begin to look up to her and trust her. To her astonishment, she kept coming up with new ideas like teaching her how to weave, sew and even garden with herbs. With each new idea, a quiver went down her spine; she found the thought of being a proper mother to that little girl excited her more than she’d considered possible.
The waves developed white caps and the spray positively soaked her. She braced her feet and tried not to shiver. The day which had started in brilliant sunshine now had dark clouds obscuring the horizon. And a stiff breeze had sprung up.
An omen? Svanna swallowed hard and tried to rid herself of the sense of foreboding. Her mind circled back to that salute Turgeis had given. Had it been a goodbye or something much worse?
‘Is that green I see?’ she asked, not expecting an answer.
‘Light on the water,’ Rand said, coming to sit beside her. ‘We will reach the coast soon enough, and then travel up the coast to reach the inlet which leads to the road to Donaghmoyne. If the weather holds, we’ll sup in my hall.’ He gave a smile that warmed her down to her toes. ‘And you will meet my daughter.’
‘I’m looking forward to meeting Birdie. Do you see her often?’
‘She provides what little sunshine there has been in my life since her mother died. I always take any excuse to see her, but Máel Sechnaill works me hard. I refuse to put her in danger. Donaghmoyne is the safest place for her.’
‘Will she be going to court with us? That is such a wonderful idea, Rand.’ Svanna forced a smile and her mind eagerly raced ahead to how she and Birdie could become friends while they travelled. A covered cart might take longer, but it would give her an excellent opportunity to truly get to know the little girl before they arrived at court. ‘We won’t be able to stay at Donaghmoyne long and taking her with us makes sense. A friendly face at court and a travelling companion for me.’
His eyes slid away from her. ‘Unadvisable.’
Svanna plucked at the edge of the braid which ran around her right cuff and tried to keep her composure. ‘I mean your daughter no harm. I’m eager to play my role. I’ve always enjoyed the company of children. I can teach her some of the riddles I know from Agthir.’
His smile turned tighter. ‘It’s not you or your riddles I worry about.’
Svanna rocked back on her heels, studying him. Her grand scheme of showing how useful she could be by smoothing his daughter’s way seemed to be over before it had properly begun.
‘Would the court be dangerous for her? I wanted to get to know her better. I used to love travelling when I was little.’
‘Birdie stays away from court. She will grow up into a chirping little girl who wears sunshine in her copper curls, just like I promised her mother.’
‘I don’t see the connection.’
‘Court ritual wears adults down. I refuse to have my daughter become a shadow of herself.’
Svanna frowned, trying to puzzle out the undercurrents. Rand’s face had hardened to glacial planes. Was he going to keep her and Birdie separate? How could that help anyone, least of all her quest to ensure Máel Sechnaill understood the threat Turgeis posed? ‘But she is the high king’s grandchild. Surely, he must want to see her. Does he often visit Donaghmoyne?’
‘The high king has other concerns on his mind. He does not often speak of her.’ Rand’s scar twitched. ‘He did express a wish to meet Birdie once, but he was in his cups and feeling melancholy, missing his favourite daughter. I suspect he forgot the wish by the next morning. He has never mentioned it again.’
‘Your late wife was his favourite child.’
‘That is the problem.’ His words seemed to end the matter.
Svanna stared out to sea. The cold spray positively soaked her but her internal misery bothered her more. She hadn’t realised how much she’d been looking forward to making a difference in the child’s life.
‘You expect him to be upset with your cousin,’ she said in a soft voice, urging him to confide more so that she could understand and figure out a new scheme, something which didn’t involve seduction. ‘I would think seeing his granddaughter, the sole remnant of his most beloved daughter, would soften his heart. A young child can do that.’
‘A prudent man seeks as many advantages as possible, but Máel Sechnaill could not bear to gaze upon his granddaughter at the baptism.’ Rand’s voice had become flat and toneless. Svanna instinctively covered his hand with hers for a long heartbeat before he moved it.
‘Did he say what he wanted to happen with the little girl?’ she asked quietly. She needed to know her options and how she could ensure Birdie was going to thrive. Not just now when she was young, but as she grew.
‘He said that I was free to bring Birdie up as I chose, but his grief was too great for her ever to command a place at court.’
She examined her hands. Grief could change and alter. She’d have to go slow, but it would help everyone if Birdie could travel with them, just in case. ‘Do you think your cousin and his new wife are at Donaghmoyne?’
