“It’s beautiful, inside and out. Thank you, Minga.”
“I’m pleased, as will Tarryn be, that you like it. Now, we’ll let you refresh after the long journey. If you have a need or a wish or a question, you’ve only to ask. Come now, come, let’s leave them in peace.”
Minga pointed the others out, closed the door behind them.
“This rocks it out, back again, then out one more time.” So saying, Marco flopped on Breen’s bed. “How about we have ourselves a snack and some wine? Then I want to clean myself up, because I’m hoping to find Brian.”
Breen poured wine for both of them. And wondered why the gorgeous elf—she’d caught that—with the perfect face despised her.
She’d caught that, too.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Keegan spoke with the families of the fallen, the most miserable duty he held. When he’d finished, he went out to check on the arrangements for the Leaving. As taoiseach, he would send the fire himself and provide the families of the lost with the urns for the return of the ashes.
Once satisfied, he went down to the dungeons to be certain the bindings on those who would be judged held fast.
They slept, each and all, under the same spell they’d used on the child they’d meant to kill. The sleep would hold, he determined, until they faced him, their magicks bound, the next day.
He went up again, wishing for nothing more than an ale, a fire, and a soft bed for an hour.
Shana waited for him near the grand stairs.
“Taoiseach. If I could speak with you.”
“I’ve little time now,” he began.
“For my apology.” She looked up at him, looked deeply.
“There’s no need.”
“For me, there is need. Please, a few moments only, as I know you have important matters. In the air, Taoiseach. Grant me this.”
“A few moments,” he agreed, and thought longingly of the ale, the fire, the bed. And the quiet.
She wound her way through to the courtyard near the seawall, which to his mind ate up unnecessary time when he had so little. But they’d ended things badly, he reminded himself. And some of the fault had been his own.
She stepped out, breathed deep. “First I want to say I know you fought well and bravely, and I know you grieve for the fallen, as we all do.”
She laid a hand on his heart, the other on her own.
“My own friend Cullin O’Donahue is one who goes to the gods.”
“I’m sorry. He was a strong warrior, and true.”
“He was.” Tears sparkled in her eyes as she took Keegan’s hand. “And now I will say I’m sorry, and shamed, for what I said to you when we last met.”
“We misunderstood each other, and part of that blame is mine.”
“No, it’s mine alone. You made no promises.” She brought his hand to her cheek. “I wanted what I knew you didn’t, and I struck out at you. I was angry because I built a dream, and you never shared it. And never pretended to. Will you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Shana.”
She lowered her eyes because those words flashed fire into them. “I would be friends again, if you’d have it.”
“Friends we were, are, and will be.”
She took a moment more before she looked up, put the flirt back in her eyes. “Sharing a bed with you is a very fond memory, for you’re skilled. I would invite you back into mine, but—” she said quickly, because she read refusal, rejection on his face, “I’m with Loren Mac Niadh now.”
“I’m glad of it,” he said simply, and enraged her. “He cares for you, and always has.”
“He does.” She toyed with one of the baubles at her ears, which Loren had given her. “And though I haven’t pledged to him, I will, I think. In time.”
“When the time comes, he’ll be fortunate. I wish you happy, Shana, in all choices. In all ways.”
“I know you do, and always have, so I’m only the more sorry for my angry words. I wish you the same, Keegan. Are you happy?”
“I’ll know true happiness when peace holds in Talamh.”
“So speaks the taoiseach.” She used a smile with those words, though they lay bitter on her tongue. “But is Keegan happy? I’m told you’ve a taste now for red hair.”
When he looked blank, she felt a rise of hope. “The O’Ceallaigh’s daughter. The one you brought with you from the valley. She’s a quiet one, and some say the quiet ones hold the most fire.”