“What is it,a chara?”
My friend, he’d called her. Not his love or his dear one. A piece of her heart cracked apart, for how could she reveal her longing? His heart had been given to another. Not her.
Instead, she hugged him harder, not letting him see the emptiness that stretched before her. “Just hold me. For a little while longer.”
He did, without questioning why. And though she needed him this night, not a word did she speak about the desires hidden within her heart. Time was slipping away, and she feared she wouldn’t see him again after he left.
“Trahernisleavingtoday,”Jilleen predicted. “Isn’t he?”
Though it was dawn, her sister hadn’t missed the preparations and the group of men gathering with Trahern.
“He said they would.” Morren donned her overdress, wishing it weren’t in such poor condition. She needed a new one, but there was no spare wool to be had.
“Why aren’t you going with him?” Her sister drew near, her soft blue eyes filled with worry.
Morren didn’t answer but simply shook her head. The truth was, he hadn’t invited her along. His purpose was to bring the raiders to justice, avenging Ciara.
She embraced her sister, stroking Jilleen’s hair. “He doesn’t want me to come. And besides, I can’t leave you.”
Jilleen hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right here.” A choked sob rose up, and her sister gripped her as though she didn’t ever want to let go. “Those men don’t deserve to live, after what they did. It was supposed to be me that night, Morren. Not you.” She wiped at her tears. “I wish to God I’d been brave enough to endure what you did.”
“You are thirteen. Not a grown woman.” She didn’t regret her choice for a moment. There was no doubt in her mind that Jilleen wouldn’t have survived the attack, had she not intervened.
“I’m not sorry I killed that man,” Jilleen said. “And I want the others brought to justice. If I could go, I would.”
Thankfully, the Dalrata chief wouldn’t allow it. But Morren didn’t like the idea of Jilleen being alone, even though there were other Ó Reilly’s here. “I won’t leave you behind. And that’s that.”
“You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?” Jilleen said wistfully. “He rescued you last night. I thought he was going to murder Adham for stealing a kiss. He—“
“You’re wrong. I don’t love him.” Her face turned crimson, for that wasn’t at all what she felt. She didn’t . . . that is, she couldn’t—
Her muddled thoughts made no sense, even to her.
“Go with him, Morren,” Jilleen urged. “Even if you don’t find the raiders, he’s a good man. He’ll take care of you.”
The door opened, and Katla came inside. In her arms, she carried a small bundle of clothing. The troubled expression on her face suggested that she’d overheard more of the conversation than she should have. “I don’t blame you for killing the raider, Jilleen.” Her eyes narrowed. “Anyone who threatens family deserves to die.”
She reached out to Morren, her face ravaged with frustration. “And though I suppose I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, I believe Jilleen is right. Someone needs to bring the rest of them to justice. They don’t deserve to live, after . . . what they did.” The older woman’s voice broke, and she rested both hands upon Jilleen’s shoulders. Her hand patted the young girl, as if trying to replace the daughter she’d lost.
And when her gaze fastened upon Morren, the flush of shame returned. Katla knew what had happened to her. Somehow she did. Possibly Jilleen had admitted the truth.
“Go with them,” Katla urged. “Trahern needs your help.”
“He doesn’t want me to go.” Morren drew closer to her sister, her heart aching already.
“You’re wrong.” Katla offered a sympathetic smile. “You mean a great deal to Trahern. All of us see it. He would have torn the cashel apart last night, just to find you.”
The Norsewoman walked across the room and lifted a small bundle wrapped in wool. “Here is an extra gown and supplies for your journey. You have my vow that I’ll watch over Jilleen like I would my own daughter.”
Morren’s hands closed over the bundle, her throat closing up. Though she wanted to remain with Trahern, the fear of her past was far too daunting. She wasn’t sure she could face the men, even if it was to bring them to justice.
And as for Trahern . . . her stubborn heart beat far too quickly at the thought of him. He’d brought her back last night, his hand holding hers. And before he’d let her go, he’d embraced her, as if it were the last time.
“He won’t let me go,” she repeated. “It’s not possible.”
“Ask,” Katla said simply. “There’s no harm in it.”
She started to find another excuse, but Jilleen took her hands. Steadily, her sister looked into her eyes and pleaded, “Bring them to justice, Morren. Not just for me, but for yourself.”
