When Ceana managed to sit up, she noticed the steaming cup in Alina’s hand. Alina offered the cup to her. “Here,” she said. “It will soothe the headache.”
At that point, Ceana decided that she would have taken anything to stop the ache. She took the cup from her sister and sipped some of the tea down.
“More,” Alina urged.
When she was satisfied, she took the cup from Ceana. “How do ye feel?”
“I have felt a lot worse. ‘Tis reducing.”
“It does work fast.”
“How would ye ken? Ye have probably never drunk more than one cup of mead in a day.”
“Aye, but I am yer wiser older sister,” she said with a tease in her voice.
Alina was a year over twenty and two years Alina’s senior. It wasn’t much, but she had decided that it was her sworn duty to care for her sister.
“Is ma home?”
“Aye, but she is downstairs with the help. Ye ken that da returns tonight.”
The guards had shifts that they worked for efficiency. Alina and Ceana’s Faither worked as the head guard of the keep. He wouldn’t have been considered for the position had he not saved the heir during an attack eight years ago. He had done so at the risk of his own life. Luckily, he had not died, and the attack had failed. The Laird had rewarded him by appointing him as the head guard of the keep.
The guards had different work periods, and although her father was not required to be present as often, he still was. Like the other men, he worked full shifts as he was required. Due to the generosity of the Laird, the keep employed enough guards so that none was overworked. Each man worked his shift and came home when he was not needed. Her father would be free to return that night, and whenever he was due home, it was a small celebration as her mum did all she could to make it special.
“Did I really drink so much?”
“Aye, ye did.”
“Now, can ye tell me what happened yesterday?”
“What?” she feigned ignorance but was betrayed by the building grin on her face.
“Ceana,” Alina dragged out. “Ye cannae allow him to take ye to hidden places.”
Ceana narrowed her eyes. “And do ye think that I am a silly little girl that does nae ken what she wants? I asked him to go with me, and I would have kissed him if nae for ye two.”
Alina sighed. “Why would ye want to kiss someone who ye do nae even ken whether he likes ye? Has he shown that he likes ye? Has he said it?”
Ceana opened her mouth to speak, but Alina beat her to it.
“And do nae tell me he flirts with ye. Torcall has a lot of women at his pick. Flirting is nae a sign.”
Ceana looked away, feeling deflated and guilt-filled Alina. She took Ceana in her arms and hugged her. “I do nae mean to sound harsh, but I care more about ye than him. Surely, ye understand this. I do nae want gossip with yer name in it. And Torcall may like ye, but he may nae too. Do nae live in keeps and grasp anythin’ except his words. For all my anger, I ken that he is a good man. He will nae say what he does nae mean.”
“He is rather blunt, too,” Ceana added.
“Aye, and ye say he would have kissed ye. That may be something but ye must be sure.”
Ceana understood what her sister meant. She had never shared a kiss with a man and had an ideal picture of how her first kiss would be.
“Ye will need to get up soon,” Alina urged her. “Mother has been generous. She’s given me money for new dresses for us.” Alina said, knowing it would cheer her up.
“Oh yes!” Ceana grinned. “I ken what I want--” There was a loud knock on the door interrupting their discussion. It came again, more frantic this time, and Alina threw it open.
It was the cook, and there was a tear streak on her face. Ceana shot out of her bed, and despite her headache, ran up behind her sister, who was questioning the cook.
“Marge? What is it?” Alina asked, her hand resting on the door frame. She looked at the cook with worry in her brown eyes. “What is it, Marge?”
