The lampreys splashed into the pan with a loud, sizzling sound. A great billow of smoke surrounded her, hiding her from the man’s perusal.
He was an outsider. Certainly, Aidan would protect her from him.
Domelch pinned her with a nasty scowl. “Finn asked for lamprey cakes.”
Ethne opened her mouth to defend herself, but Finn was quicker.
“I am tired of cakes. This is better.” Finn's animated expression made Ethne smile despite the rising tension.
Domelch grumbled under her breath before turning her attention back to the others.
“We will see, but for now, let us celebrate our successful hunt.” Aidan lifted his mug, and the others followed. All but the islanders who gathered together.
“I’ve heard such kind things about yer hospitality.” Olaf crossed his arms about his chest, flanked by his two men. “But I’d prefer to settle this first.”
The room became quiet. Insulting their hospitality was never a good thing. The longbows and shields might have been left at the door, but daggers large enough to do damage glimmered in the firelight.
“Am I not to be rewarded for helping ye take down the boar?” Olaf asked. “I want the girl.”
Ethne froze, her breath stilled.
Aidan nodded, a slow, thoughtful movement. “Indeed. But Ethne has great value to us.”
“Especially tome.” Domelch put a fist to her hip. “She serves an important purpose for me.”
“I have a better purpose for her,” Olaf countered.
The wolfish grin on the face of the man at his side said plainly enough what that purpose was. They moved toward her. Olaf hunkered down beside her. When he moved to brush her hair away from her face, she drew back. He smiled, continuing to search her like he would some animal he considered buying. “How much would ye sell her to me for?”
“Sell her?” Aidan asked, his interest not well hidden. “More thanyecould pay. As I said, she has great value to us.”
Olaf’s eyes held Aidan’s gaze. “And I think ye wish to take her for yerself.”
Aidan opened his hands as if acquiescing. Ethne struggled to take a breath and ease the burning in her chest.
“How much would ye give me?” Domelch might as soon sell Ethne for a pretty trinket.
Ethne kept her head down, her eyes fixed on the lampreys, and her jaw tight. Shedidserve a purpose for Domelch, and Ethne prayed she’d not forget that.
“Is she untried?”
“Ha!” The derogatory tone gave Ethne pause. Domelch was not usually so obvious with people outside their own group. She’d prefer them believing she was all sweetness. After all, she considered Ethne her own property, but that also gave her the power to sell her. “Verily, she is a virgin. I know her value. But we also know her many faults. Arrogant. Prideful. Demanding. And look—” Domelch grabbed Ethne's arm, shaking it— ”too skinny. She's good for nothing but cooking.” Domelch let Ethne’s arm drop from her grasp, her face a mask of disgust. “And look! She has one job, and even that she is not good at. Ye've got the lampreys burning in their own oil.”
When Domelch reached to grab the hot iron handle, Ethne moved to intercept without a thought. The woman’s hand would be burned with no protection. But Domelch elbowed her away, touching the edge of the pan just enough to flick it, burning oil and all, into Olaf’s face. The man’s howl vibrated back at his men, who closed in, their jaws dropping open. Olaf grabbed at his face, staggering back in pain.
With wide eyes, Ethne stared at Domelch. Why had she done such a thing?
Aidan and his men reacted quickly despite the unexpected assault, using the weapons piled harmlessly by the entrance against the three men who would be seeking their revenge.
Olaf groped forward with hands flailing and spewed threats of recourse. Malcolm grabbed him from behind, a blade to his throat. His lips moved, but the erupting chaos was too loud for her to distinguish her brother's threat.
When Ethne caught sight of Finn huddled against the far wall, her heart clenched at the wide-eyed fear on his young face. She gave her hand to him, and he took it without hesitation. His obvious relief stirred her deeply. She needed to get him to safety and away from the fighting surrounding them. She led the way to a tiny passage, no more than a wide crevice hidden in the shadows at the back of the cave, and they slipped away unseen.
Chapter 5
The aftermath of the melee would take longer to clean up than the fight itself. Domelch called Ethne out from her hiding place once the visitors-turned-intruders had been chased away. Domelch was not about to set things to right herself.
Finn had fallen asleep nestled against Ethne so she was content to sit and listen while the most important men in the tribe discussed what should be done next. They were convened in a tight circle around the fire, fully sober now and their dour expression reflected in the light. They were discussing how best to prepare for the imminent retribution. Malcolm sat cross-legged at Aidan’s right.
