Bride of Ice (The Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch #2) - Glynnis Campbell Page 0,93

they would not repeat. There was no need to encourage vengeance.

After the battle was over, everyone assembled within Creagor’s walls. Formal introductions were made between the clans. The wounded were tended to. The dead were buried. The doors to the keep were repaired. A victory supper was prepared.

Hallie avoided Colban, fearful she might break down in tears if she had to look upon the man she’d loved and lost.

But while everyone else seemed suffused with victory, she languished in misery. And as she watched Jenefer’s face light up with a triumphant glow, Hallie’s melancholy turned to bitter resentment.

She hoped Creagor was worth it. She hoped her cousin appreciated the steep cost of her prize.

Laird Deirdre had expressly forbidden anyone to speak of the king’s decision. She wished to deliver the news in her own time and manner. Sensitive negotiations were not to be rushed. And so she waited until supper to make the announcement.

Hallie supposed that was a wise choice. With Jenefer’s bow and arrows put away and a full plate before her, it was less likely she would erupt in rage and do anything rash.

Her mother’s careful diplomacy paid off. With cordial composure, she placed the sealed document on the table before Jenefer and announced the king’s decision.

The mac Giric clan gasped in disbelief, cursing under their breath to learn the king had allowed Rivenloch to claim the castle they believed was their birthright.

But Laird Morgan quickly reined in their anger. He spoke of the mercy of the Rivenloch knights in their fight against the English. The king’s will could not be argued, he said. Thus they owed Rivenloch the courtesy of returning to the Highlands as soon as possible.

“The sooner, the better!” Colban called out.

Hallie’s heart splintered. She hadn’t thought there was anything left of her heart to damage. But now she realized—despite the king’s decree, despite her impending marriage—she’d been clinging to the fact that Colban would at least remain nearby. She knew she might never be able to touch him, to kiss him again. But living close to him, she could look into his eyes, exchange a few words, share a secret smile, and remember what might have been.

With his declaration, she knew he had other plans. And his eagerness to return home bruised her spirit.

As the mac Giric clan began to absorb this news, making the best of things, Hallie stared stonily at her mother. When was she going to explain? When was she going to tell everyone about Jenefer’s marriage? When was she going to divulge that the Highlanders were not being asked to leave?

Laird Deirdre looked ready to speak again when her sister Miriel clamped a hand on her forearm and leaned in to whisper something. Deirdre frowned, but after a few murmured exchanges, she nodded, and they both slid a sideways glance at Jenefer.

To Hallie’s amazement, normally cocky Jenefer wasn’t crowing about her win. And now that she looked closer, Hallie realized something about her cousin was…different. She seemed more grown up. Calmer. Kinder. More reflective.

Feiyan had told her much had happened at Creagor in the last few days. Perhaps being a hostage had doused some of the fire from hotheaded Jenefer.

But nothing could have prepared her for Jenefer’s next words.

“Wait!” she said. “I don’t want it. I don’t want Creagor.”

Silence fell over the hall.

After the shock subsided, a heated exchange erupted between Jenefer and her mother, who was understandably infuriated by Jenefer’s dismissal of something she’d worked so hard to earn.

Hallie too was enraged by her cousin’s callous and haphazard decision. What had caused her capricious change of heart? Did the selfish lass not even consider the sacrifices that had been made on her behalf?

But while Jenefer and her mother continued their war of words, Hallie started to wonder how Jenefer’s decision would affect the rest of the negotiations. Was it possible Hallie wouldn’t have to marry Archibald Scott after all?

Her gaze slid over to Colban. He must have been thinking the same thing. After a breathless glance of desperate hope, they averted their eyes. How the issue would resolve itself remained to be seen. There was no point—and great danger—in relying on fate and the whims of a king.

Hope had leaped up in Colban’s chest like a spring lamb at Jenefer’s rejection of Creagor. Not because Morgan might be able to hold on to his legacy. But because it might mean Hallie wouldn’t be forced to wed someone else.

Still, he knew better. Spring lambs were foolish. While they frisked in