“You must not say such things,” Mòrag said in a tone that said Una’s father was headed for the deepest, coldest part of the loch.
“Hmmph.” Fionn had the grace to at least look marginally chagrined.
“Do you believe Sabrine claiming her true mate was a betrayal of your people?” Bryant asked Una, as if it was her opinion that mattered, not her father’s.
“The ancient teachings of the Chrechte make it clear that a sacred mating bond should be placed above all else.” Una swallowed at the sulfuric glare from her father, but she would not recall her words.
She’d worked so hard not to disappoint him further since the debacle five years ago, but in this, her father was very, very wrong.
“You must forgive Fionn.” Una’s mother had drawn herself away from her husband in a way that said she wasn’t sure she had done so though. “But sacred mates are so rare among our people we forget their importance in the face of simple survival.”
Bryant nodded his understanding. “You mate to procreate rather than enjoy the sacred bond. Many among the Faol believe they must do the same.”
“Which is not to say that our matings are of no importance,” Mòrag stated firmly.
“You and Fionn . . .” Bryant prompted.
“We are not sacred mates, but we were still blessed with a child. For that, I will always be grateful.” Her mother gave Una a look filled with warmth and love.
“Every child is a gift,” Bryant said with that way he had, like he was certain of the truths in his world, and anyone who might disagree could be made to see the error of his or her ways. “My own parents are sacred mates.”
“Did they have many children then?” Mòrag asked wistfully.
“Four that lived out of childhood.”
“That is a blessing indeed.”
“So my father says. Mum isn’t so sure when we are tracking dirt on her recently cleaned floors with our big muddy feet.”
“You are all male then?”
“Oh, nay. I have an older brother and two younger sisters, both hellions truth be told, and more trouble by far than either of us boys, to hear my mother tell it. Though one has married and is her husband’s headache now. Though she’s given us my precious niece, who has the entire family trained to her bidding.”
Una found a smile coming to her face. “How old is the wee one?”
“Two summers and full of energy beyond us all.” Bryant’s eyes glowed when he spoke of his family.
“You must miss them terribly.”
“Aye.”
“And yet you have made your home here.” It was beyond her understanding.
“The repatriation of the Éan will not come without sacrifice. It seems only fair those begin with the Faol, considering the cost your people have already paid over the years.”
“Repatriation—” Fionn began in a tone that said they were all in for a rant of extraordinary proportions.
Mòrag determinedly interrupted without a single blush. “Una cares for the children of our tribe, you know.”
“That is a commendable contribution to make to your clan.”
“I should be a warrior,” Una admitted with the shame she always felt. “I am an eagle.”
“You are perfect as you are,” her mother staunchly refuted.
But her father remained silent, his expression showing neither approval nor disdain for his only offspring. He was still clearly angry over the concept of the Éan and Faol reuniting.
“Our women are not trained in warfare,” Bryant mused. “If they were, I’m not sure our laird would not be a woman.”