“It’s nothing, Terence,” she insisted. “I’m like a sister to him.”
Her brother cast a sidelong glance. “You’re anything but that. And as I said before, I don’t trust him.”
“I do. He’s saved my life, more than once.”
Terence caught her hand, pulling her back before she could leave. From his belt, he withdrew a small pouch. “Take these with you.”
She felt the weight of the coins and frowned. “Where did you get these? And what about the animals and supplies? All that from our mother’s brooch?”
Terence’s face turned grim. “We hired out our swords.” From the dull tone in his voice, she understood that whatever he’d done had been for their family. She reached up to embrace him, but though he returned it, she sensed the trouble weighing upon him.
“You succeeded, then.”
His expression remained shielded. “I’m not proud of what I did.”
Caragh had no time to ask further questions, for Ronan and Styr approached. Already her brother was pointing out the direction he intended to search. To Styr, he directed, “If you’ll take Caragh and go deeper into the city, we’ll rejoin you here at sundown.”
She didn’t miss the reluctance on Styr’s face. Before he could argue again, Ronan handed a bundle of supplies to Styr. “See to it that she eats.”
Did he believe she was a small child incapable of caring for herself? She ignored his patronizing tone and started walking north along the edge of the docks.
Within moments, Styr guided her away. “Your brothers will search here. It’s not a place for a woman.” He kept one handupon his battleaxe, and his eyes scanned the crowd, as if searching for any possible threats. His other palm moved to the small of Caragh’s back.
She knew it was only a means of ensuring she was under his protection. But even so, she grew conscious of his large hand upon her spine and the firm pressure against her skin. A strange ache resonated through her, moving from his palm, over her own skin. He’d made her feel safe on the night she’d nearly drowned, warming her with his body.
She glanced over at him, and his eyes were constantly searching, his pace swift. “Do you know anyone in the city you could ask?”
He shook his head. “We’ll start in the marketplace.”
As they continued walking further, she was overwhelmed by the crowds, her eyes drinking in the sights. “I’ve never seen so many people before.”
“Have you never left Gall Tír?”
She shook her head. “I’ve lived there all my life.” And although she knew every person within the ringfort, she’d heard stories of cities so large, it was impossible to know the names of all who dwelled within its walls.
Seeing Áth Cliath, she could believe it. Though this was her own country, the Irish and the Norse were mingled together. The Lochlannach settlements were unusual, with long, rectangular houses set out in quadrants. Even the women were dressed differently, their golden hair bound up in braids. They wore long aprons over their gowns, with brooches fastened at the shoulders. And they were so tall, like exotic goddesses.
Caragh was entranced by them. Her hand reached up to her own dark locks, as if imagining them in braids.
When they reached the open market, her eyes widened at the sight of the food, the livestock, and all the merchants. Voicesmingled together in different languages, lauding their wares, while others bargained for the best price.
Caragh stopped before all of it, and Styr caught her hand. “We should go.”
“Wait.” Never in her life had she been in a place such as this, and she likely would not visit again. “Could we look at their wares? I’ve not seen a place like this before.” She hid the pouch of coins Terence had given her, tying it within the folds of her gown.
He guided her away from the crowd, his gaze dark. “I didn’t want you to come with me, Caragh. And I’m not about to waste time here in the marketplace.”
Her mood diminished at his anger, and she recognized it for what it was—worry. “We’re going to find her,” she reiterated. “But instead of searching blindly, we should ask.”
He didn’t want to; that was evident enough. Impatience dominated his mood like a dark cloud.
“If she was brought here, someone might have seen her,” Caragh said. “We’ll speak with the merchants here and find out what we can.”
Though he didn’t disguise his reluctance, he lowered his head in a grim nod. “So be it.”
It was the best she could hope for. She gave his hand a friendly squeeze, but he jerked his hand away, giving her a stare of warning. It bewildered her why he would feel threatened by such a gesture, but she made a silent vow to herself, not to touch him again.
The first place they visited was a spice merchant. The aroma was like nothing she’d experienced before, and she marveled at the wares.
