‘And my cousin?’
She tilted her chin upwards. ‘Trust your cousin to appear back here. For some reason, he or his bride want Birdie with them when they confront your father-in-law. It is why she should travel with us.’
The small curl of fear which had lurked in the pit of his stomach ever since Birdie had mentioned the trip tightened. That Svanna recognised what he did. ‘What do you mean, “want Birdie with them”? How would it help them?’
‘His bride promised Birdie a trip to Tara. I suspect they intend to make that trip happen. She would be a counter for them to ensure that the King hears their plea. She is the only living child of his favourite daughter. I’m not the only one who sees how that could soften her grandfather’s heart.’
‘Not going to happen.’ Rand banged his fists together. ‘Birdie is protected here. Measures exist.’
‘Measures which your cousin and bride know. The only way you can ensure her protection is to keep her with us. She must come to Tara with us.’ She stretched out her hand, but Rand ignored it. ‘The most prudent option.’
He shook his head. ‘She is safest here.’
‘Is she? After what she confided? We could keep her away from her grandfather, but you would rest easier, knowing she was with us.’
He knew her words were sensible, but if he lost his trust in his cousin, his world became a carefully constructed lie. ‘If you believe they will return, then we must wait.’
Her lips thinned to a white line. The Ice Princess had returned, making his decision easier. He’d little intention of blindly obeying authoritarian demands, even if an inner part of him protested that her ideas had merit and she was certainly not made of ice.
‘You and I are needed in Tara. Agthir’s peace depends on my success.’
‘The monk will spread the news of our marriage. I suspect it has already reached Tara.’ He allowed his eyes to roam all over Svanna, taking in her curves, her blonde hair and her finely drawn features, but he knew deep down that he wanted her fighting as hard for his family as she was prepared to fight for Agthir and Islay. Until that happened, he had to follow what had worked for him in the past. ‘Máel Sechnaill will understand if I tarried on the road after he encounters you.’
The colour on Svanna’s cheeks rose to a delightful crimson.
‘What if the monk holds his tongue?’ she said to the fire.
Rand rolled his eyes. ‘The words were said to make his tongue wag faster. I know the man. He likes imparting gossip.’
She bent closer to the fire. ‘Games of double bluff seldom work.’
‘Says the peace-weaver. Playing games is what you do.’
She rose and turned towards him. Her eyes showed her fury and passion, even if her voice appeared to be chipped from a snow-capped mountain. ‘We adjust but we hold what is ultimately important in the forefront of our minds.’
He disliked her reasonable tone. He could deal with the squalls of anger that Bridget had indulged in, but Svanna’s emotions were on a tight leash.
‘I begin to understand why you remained unmarried,’ he said to provoke a response.
‘Why? Because I have a brain and am unafraid to use it?’ she said, putting her hand on her hip. ‘Fancy that, a woman who dares to speak and point out flaws in your thinking. The first duty of a peace-weaver is to ensure her husband understands where he has made an error.’
‘Who said that?’
‘Astrid.’ She tilted her chin upwards and her eyes half-closed as if she were reciting something from memory. ‘A wife should never be afraid to speak her mind to her husband, particularly when the safety of her country is involved, but she does it in private so as not to humiliate him.’
‘Truly? And she put this into practice when?’
‘Many times with her second husband. I saw her confront him within the confines of their chambers. I was there when she bargained for her life as well. Much scarier than the saga makes out. He’d sworn to kill Ingebord. I thought he’d kill me. I knew he would if he ever discovered the trick, including when the life ebbed from him. The usurper was like that.’
Rand stared at her. Her bravery made something in his throat catch. ‘But he didn’t.’
‘I never knew why.’ She held out her hands. ‘Sometimes in my dreams, I don’t get the wording right and bring the entire edifice down.’
Her voice held a sing-song note. She might be speaking brave words, but she was very nervous. It made him admire her bravery even more. He itched to take her in his arms.
‘And this is why you feel you can speak to me like this? Your foster-mother told you that this was the correct way to behave? Do you think I am a danger to you?’
She hugged her waist. ‘In private, and not shaming in front of servants or others. When you think on it, Rand, quietly and dispassionately, you will see I am right.’
