‘You’ve a fancy for him, have you?’
‘I don’t—he just—’
Eachan laughed and took her hands in his own. ‘An old man like myself is no match for young Connor. Still, you’re a sensible lass and one worth knowing. Shall I tell him and put in a good word for you?’
‘No!’ She was horrified at the idea of Eachan recommending her to Connor like a prized mare.
A teasing chuckle resounded from his throat as he passed her to the next partner. ‘Think upon it, young Aileen.’
She blushed. Though a few visiting men came from nearby tribes, none gave her their attention. She watched as men and women paired off, joining hands in preparation for the fires.
Alone, she stood, feeling like an outsider again. Even Eachan, for all his teasing, had left her. She rubbed her arms, braving a smile she did not feel.
When the bonfires were lit, the crowds stood to watch while men drove the cattle between the two blazing fires. Against the black sky, the orange flames cast a stark, spell-binding glow. Connor and Lianna circled one of the fires three times, then took a running leap across the Bel fire.
Aileen’s heart beat faster, as though she were the one to jump across the burning flames. Connor caught Lianna in his arms, dipping low to kiss her. Aileen turned away, pretending she had not seen it.
Mead flowed freely and, as the feasting continued, couples began to disappear into the undergrowth. Aileen heard the sounds of lovemaking and, at the muffled cries of satisfaction, something deep within her stirred. She moved to the edge of the clearing, standing near the forest. Darkness enfolded the trees, shadows guarding the lovers in secrecy.
Upon the dais, Connor held Lianna’s hand in his, whispering to her. It was time for Lianna to honour the Goddess, to join with Connor in the hut set aside for that purpose. Lianna smiled, though her eyes rested upon Tómas. The man’s face was rigid with hatred. Aileen feared suddenly that he would do something rash.
In the distance Aileen watched Connor raise Lianna’s palm to his lips. Moments later, her friend walked toward the hut to prepare herself. While Connor endured the raucous jests from the other men, Tómas was moving toward the hut.
Aileen would not put it past him to destroy the ritual, regardless of the consequences. In desperation, she looked around until she found Lianna’s older brother Riordan.
‘I am worried about your sister,’ she said. ‘Tómas is jealous of Connor.’
The deep relaxation upon Riordan’s face revealed the quantity of mead he had drunk. ‘Lianna can take care of herself,’ he said. His eyes grew deep, his expression relaxed. He reached out and patted her head. ‘Go on, now.’ Stumbling forward, he moved toward a group of women.
Aileen moved away from him, her blood pounding with embarrassment. She fled, pushing her way past men and women. Familiar sounds surrounded her, children whining in their mothers’ arms, and the seductive sounds coming from the grove of trees ahead. Before she knew what had happened, she found herself standing before the ritual hut.
Anticipation coursed within her veins, her sensitised skin rising. What would Lianna be feeling right now? Were she in her friend’s place, she’d not be able to breathe. The very thought of making love with Connor MacEgan, feeling the strength of his hardened body against her own, sent shivers through her.
The flickering blaze of the Bel fires drew her inside the hut, though she could not say why.
‘What are you doing here?’ Lianna whispered. ‘He’s coming soon.’
‘I know. I—I wanted to wish you good fortune.’
‘It isn’t good fortune, not at all. Tómas may try to kill Connor. I don’t know what to do. He warned me not to lie with him.’
‘Tómas cannot interfere with the ritual. He wouldn’t dare.’
‘I pledged myself to him,’ Lianna admitted. ‘He thinks no man has the right to touch me. And—’ her face flushed ‘—I am no longer a virgin.’
Aileen’s eyes widened. ‘But…what will you do?’ If Lianna was no longer a virgin, then the act held no meaning.
‘It’s pagan nonsense,’ Lianna scoffed. ‘Merely an excuse for a man to join with a woman. Connor won’t notice or care.’
‘How can you say that? Haven’t we been blessed with a fruitful harvest this past season?’
Lianna gave a bemused smile. ‘You believe in it, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do. As should you.’ Aileen was deeply shaken in the fear that Lianna’s falsification would bring ill fortune upon them.
‘Wait.’ Lianna’s eyes glittered. ‘You’re a virgin, aren’t you?’
‘I am.’ Aileen suddenly grew afraid of her friend’s interest.
