Now, he’d stripped away all traces of that man. Cold and hardened, he wasn’t the same at all. And yet, he’d stayed up all night at her side. He hadn’t abandoned her, not once. It wasn’t the demeanor of a monster but of a man she didn’t understand.
Morren shivered, thinking of his devotion to Ciara. It was as if no other woman in the world had existed. Certainly, he hadn’t noticed her.
“I remember when you first came to our cashel last year,” she said. “You stayed up all night, telling your stories.”
He sobered, and she wondered if she shouldn’t have spoken. “I used to be a bard, yes.”
“And you lived with us all winter long. Because of Ciara?”
He gave a nod. Drawing his knees up, he discarded the cloak and sat up. She noticed his bare feet and wondered what had happened to his shoes.
“Get some sleep, Morren. If you’re well enough, we’ll find Jilleen in the morning.” Trahern laid down again, drawing the cloak over both of them. In his eyes, she saw his own exhaustion. He hadn’t slept in two days.
When he caught her staring, he added, “I promise, I won’t touch you.”
Strangely, she believed him. He had no interest whatsoever in her, and she felt herself relaxing in his presence.
“You should sleep as well,” she offered. “It was my fault that your rest was disturbed last night.”
He cast a wary look. “You needed someone to watch over you. And there’s no threat from me, I promise.”
When she rolled to the other side of the bed with his cloak shielding her hair, the anxiety that clenched her nerves tight seemed to soften.
Perhaps he really could keep her safe.
Trahernheardthesoundof muffled weeping, a few hours before dawn. Morren remained with her back to him, the cloak draped over her. Her shoulders trembled, and his body tensed.
“Morren?” he whispered. “Are you in pain?”
She remained far away from him, but her sobs grew muffled. “A bad dream. That’s all.”
He didn’t know what to say. Words were meaningless after what she’d suffered. It was no wonder nightmares bothered her.
“And your fever?”
She rolled over to look at him. Her wheat-colored hair hung against her face, and she looked as though she’d endured a grueling night. “It’s better.” He didn’t believe her and reached out to touch her forehead.
Morren cowered from him, and he let his hand fall away. A tightness formed within him, that she was unable to bear even a simple touch.
A cold fury spread through his veins once more, as he imagined the devastating attack she must have suffered.
He needed to understand why theLochlannachhad done this and where they were now. And after he’d found his enemies, he vowed to avenge Ciara’s death and bring both Morren and Jilleen to safety. Perhaps to another clan, if the Ó Reilly’s hadn’t yet rebuilt their cashel.
“You should rest,” he advised. He suspected she hadn’t slept well at all, likely because of his closeness.
“I’ll be all right,” she insisted. “We need to find Jilleen today.”
Though her color had improved, he wanted her to remain abed for at least another day. She might worsen if she pushed herself too hard. “I’d rather you stayed here,” Trahern said. “I’ll leave you with food, water, and firewood while I search for your sister.”
Morren sent him a steady look. “If you go without me, I’ll follow you as soon as you’ve left. She’s my sister, and I need to know that she’s safe.” With a firm stubbornness, she raised her chin and began to sit up. “I’m going to search for her. With or without you.”
Trahern sat up on his side of the bed, suddenly realizing that his feet were beneath the sheet. Some time in the middle of the night, Morren had covered them. He hadn’t expected the kindness.
He got up and returned to the bundle of clothing he’d found earlier. From within it, he found an overdress. The colors were dull, the wool coarse and prickly, but the material would keep her warm. “Put this on,” he told her. “While you get dressed, I’ll make us both some shoes.”
Picking up his pouch of supplies, he used his knife to slice through the leather. He made crude shoes for both of them out of the material, insulating them with straw. He gave Morren one set and offered the laces from his tunic to tie them on. He nodded towards his cloak. “Wear that. You’ll need it to stay warm.”
“It’s too cold,” she argued. “You’ll need to use it yourself. And I can use the cloak that was on the bed.”
