Page 26 of Taken By the Exiled Laird

The boy ignored her again. "Da got called tae fight. Mam died in winter. Please, we're hungry."

"I…" Briana glanced over at the encampment, then back at the boy and girl. Her skin prickled and her eyes itched as she saw the earnestness in the younger's eyes and the distrust in the older. She had never gone hungry, not really, but she remembered seeing that same distrust of the whole world staring back at her from the mirror not so long ago. "Rosie, was it? I'm nae gonnae hurt ye nor yer brother. Will ye let me help ye?"

She spoke without thinking, but the words came from her heart. She had to help these children, at least at this moment, even if she couldn't solve anything for them long term. Hope blossomed in her heart when she realized that she could kill two birds with one stone if she was careful enough. Those guards had come out of the inn, and it was very likely that there were others like them inside of it. If she took the children there, then she could feed them. And then, if she made herself known…

Rosie still didn't look trusting, but she cautiously approached. "Why would ye want tae help us? I hear the noble accent ye're tryin' tae hide. Yer kind dinnae give a toss about the likes of us."

"That isnae true!" Briana protested. She took Jock's hand in hers. He felt so small, even for his age, his little hand so thin she was scared to press too hard in case she hurt him. "Please let me help. Ye're the people of this clan, are ye nae? Without ye, where is its strength?"

"In the castle, with the coin," Rosie replied sullenly. She spoke like a woman twice her age, and every word was a knife through Briana's heart. "What will ye want in return?"

"Rosie, please," Jock said. "The nice lady wants tae get us food. Can we please go? I'm so hungry."

Rosie hesitated.

Briana gently pressed the advantage. "I promise I'll leave ye alone as soon as I've seen ye fed," Briana swore. "But for yer brother's sake, if nae mine, let me take ye tae the inn. Ye've nothin' tae lose." She held out her free hand.

After a brief moment, Rosie moved forward and took her hand. When she did, the mask broke, and the vulnerability of her true age shone through. "Can ye really help us?" Rosie whispered.

Briana wanted to cry, but she smiled instead. "I'll do me best," she said, but it burned in her throat because her best didn't feel like nearly enough.

When she turned to lead the children back along the path, she saw Theon waiting, watching her. She didn't know how long he'd been there, but neither was she surprised. His expression was inscrutable, his eyes trained on her, the only emotion a small, thoughtful frown. Holding her head high, she led the children toward him and stopped in front of him.

"I told ye tae stay close," he told her in an even tone.

She ignored that. "I want tae get these bairns food at the inn. Will ye spare some coin for them?"

Theon glanced down at the children, first Rosie and then Jock, and something shifted behind his eyes. They lingered on the younger brother for a moment, long enough that Briana wondered what he was seeing in the boy's place. Then he looked up, his gray eyes meeting Briana's, and for just a second a vulnerability shone there that made her heart almost stop.

Then it was gone and he nodded. "Aye, if ye wish. Come along."

Her mind buzzed with questions, but she pushed them away. She didn't want to wonder about Theon. She would soon be clear of him forever, and she could not waste another moment considering him except for how he could help her help the children. Nodding in slight thanks, she led the children inside, Theon close behind.

A blast of warmth hit her as she entered the inn. Its blazing, cheerful fire was heating the whole building. It was a lovely inn, large but still charming, cozy, and clearly maintained by people who loved it—or it had once been. But though the music played and tables full of people ate and drank, there was something off here.

Briana had only twice in her life managed to step foot in a common tavern, and each time she'd been captivated by the microcosm of life captured within the walls. But the normal buzz of conversation was dimmed, the barmaids who walked between the tables with food and drink wore no smiles, and the musician looked tired and worn.

Theon put a warning hand on her shoulder, nodding toward the central table. It was full of MacFarlane men, laughing and drinking and bothering the barmaids on their way past. Briana gritted her teeth as a young woman squealed in discomfort after being groped, causing raucous drunken laughter from the men. Only the children's hands in her own were enough to stop her from losing her temper. She forced herself to look away, but Theon's expression offered no comfort. In fact, his grey eyes were storm dark, his jaw clenched hard. He gave her some coins, but did not move his hate-filled gaze from the table of MacFarlane men.

Swallowing, Briana moved to the bar, where an older woman with flyaway grey hair was cleaning a glass and glaring across at the soldiers at the central table. She looked up with a weary expression as Briana and the children approached.

"I'd like tae buy somethin' for these bairns," Briana said. "A hot stew or soup would be best, and maybe a skein of water. A cup of warm goat's milk wouldnae go amiss either."

The woman's eyebrows raised and she looked at the two children before sighing. "I wish I could, Miss," she said. "Me stores are empty. I've nothin' tae give. They took it all, and I dinnae ken how I'm tae replenish. Me poor daughters are doin' all they can tae gain a bit of coin, but this place will be ruined soon enough."

Briana blinked while Rosie tensed beside her. "All of it?" She glanced over at the table again. "But look at all that food and ale. Ye'll be able tae restock with the coin."

The innkeeper snorted. "Coin! Me late husband's coin all went intae this place, and now these soldiers come and take what they please. They never pay. I'll manage, aye, but I cannae feed the bairns. I can barely feed meself."

Jock started to cry, and Briana felt as though the floor had fallen out from beneath her. "But… but ye must have somethin'. Anythin'."

The woman sighed. "We'll nae get any supplies until tomorrow. I can offer the bairns some water and a place on me floor next tae the fire, but I've naught else tae give. The soldiers⁠—"

"They're supposed tae be protectin' this place! They're⁠—"

"Hush." Theon spoke from behind her as he placed a warning hand on her arm, but his voice was gentle. "Dinnae speak so loudly. Ye'll put yerself, this woman, and these bairns in danger."

"But I cannae just stand here," Briana argued in a furious whisper.