Pádraig growled as he stood, driving into Faolán’s middle with enough force to take him down.
“No!” Astrid yelled, but there was no indication either man heard her.
Sitting atop Faolán, Pádraig hit him with solid fists to the face and then the stomach. But it was not long before Faolán once again got the upper hand, flipping Pádraig off him.
Faolán stood, blood dripping from his nose, and yanked his opponent up by hisléine, hitting him in the stomach hard enough that he doubled over. Pádraig’s moan of pain did nothing to stop his assault.
Finally, Faolán withdrew his sword, stepping far enough away that the point touched Pádraig’s chest, remaining there even as the winded man slowly righted himself, his arm still wrapped around his middle.
“Let. Me. Hear. It. From. The. Lass!” Faolán said.
Astrid’s jaw dropped. She had never heard the man speak without a stutter before. Faolán remained still. Unyielding. Unmoving. Waiting. When Pádraig gave a curt nod, Faolán glanced at her.
“Wh-what is amiss here, Astrid?”
Pádraig opened his mouth, but Faolán was quick to press the tip of the blade in, piercing his skin. Blood trickled through hisléine. Pádraig’s fierce anger was frightening to behold and Astrid feared for Faolán.
“Faolán. Ye know this man is the son of theri túaithe.”
“He i-is the son. That d-does not give him the sa-same rights as the father.”
Leadership was not decided by birth. That would never protect the clans. Thetánaiste, the next in line, was always named at the time of the anointing of a new king. Someone who was able and ready to take over should the king die. Pádraig had been far too young at the time of his father’s anointing to have this position.
“Please.” Astrid was not sure what to say to get Faolán to back down. Running Pádraig through would cause even more bloodshed. It would be the start of a war between their clans. “I… He was bringing me home.”
Faolán’s eyes narrowed, remaining on Pádraig. “Wh-why did I he-hear ye c-call out ‘stop’?”
“I… I needed… needed him to… stop.”
“And wh-what was he d-doing that ye wa-wanted him to stop?” His voice was menacingly quiet.
If Astrid spoke the truth, she had no doubt Faolán would run his sword right through the man’s chest. Then there would be hell to pay.
She clenched her teeth. “I needed to relieve myself.”
Pádraig and Faolán turned to her as one, their shock obvious.
“He thought I could… wait, but I could not.” It was impossible for her to say any more. Not when the scream she wanted to let loose was stuck in her throat. When she saw Pádraig’s smug smile, she forced herself to look away. It was either that or she would throw herself against the man, beating him with her fists, ordering Faolán to finish him off.
Faolán lowered his sword with great reluctance, and Pádraig had him in a throat clutch in a flash. “Ye impudent dog! Ye’ll regret this with yer last breath!”
Before Astrid could fully react, Pádraig had shoved him to the ground. Faolán’s sword clanged harmlessly beside him.
“Enough, Pádraig.”
Turning to her, the anger disappeared from his face. He smiled at her. A beaming smile. His eyes bright.
“As ye wish.” He extended his arm to her, as if he were escorting her to a celebration in their honor. “Come, let me see ye home.”
Faolán stood slowly, his gaze upon her. Watching her. Boring into her. He had not believed her story at all. He knew better. He was a warrior. And he was of her clan.
Mayhap not all clans care so strongly for their women, but we do.
She wanted so badly to cringe from his touch, but if she refused Pádraig’s hand now, Faolán would have confirmation that she had lied. He would come to her defense, even if it meant his doom. He would fight Pádraig, and regardless of who won, what she had feared would happen a moment earlier would indeed come to pass. Her entire body stiffened with revulsion. She had trouble getting her arm to rise to meet Pádraig’s, her hand to touch his hand, but somehow she managed. When Pádraig lifted her onto the horse, she turned her face away.
“Well done.” Pádraig’s softly spoken words were for her ears alone.
Chapter 4
