Moon Burning - By Lucy Monroe Page 0,40
head. Barr’s arrogance, so different from Rowland’s conceit, was such a part of him, his claim did not even surprise her. His absolute certainty that he knew all there was to know about the Chrechte both frustrated and amused her.
“Whatever ancient enmity existed no longer holds sway, just as the wolf packs no longer wage war with each other.”
“You are wrong.”
“Sabrine.” Just that one word. Her name, but it held a wealth of meaning.
He was astonished she would so blatantly disregard his words, but then she had lived her life among the Chrechte, not the humans. The Éan were a matrilineal people, as they had been since time immemorial, just as the Faol had been before joining the human clans and MacAlpin’s infamous betrayal of his royal relatives.
While respect was given to any in a position of authority over an Éan, men did not hold a position of superiority merely by the nature of their sex. It would not have taken so many years for Rowland to face an imminent death had he lived among the Chrechte of old.
“Do you really claim that the packs never war with one another?”
“Only when the clans are involved.”
“And the clans of the Highlands are almost as volatile as the Chrechte that have joined them.”
Barr shrugged. “That does not mean wolves continue to harbor some age-old grudge against the ravens.”
“The Éan are more than raven, though we are the biggest remaining group.”
“And the wolves of the Sinclair pack or those of the Balomoral would be nothing but happy to learn of your existence.”
“I notice you did not mention the Donegals.”
“Rowland’s prejudices are clear. I would not assume he had no influence on others within his clan; he led them more than a decade.”
“That prejudice is more than unpleasant. It is deadly.”
“That is where I think you are wrong,” Barr said, showing he still had too much honor to understand men who had none.
“My parents died at the hands of the Faol. They still hunt in the forest for us.”
Barr’s storm-cloud eyes widened and then narrowed. “Impossible.”
“How did this happen?” She indicated her wounded arm, annoyance overcoming any other feeling in regard to his arrogance. How dare he doubt her words? “One of your Faol hunters shot me from the sky.”
“Nay.”
“Oh, yes.” There was so much more she wanted to say, but this was not the place to do it. In a clan with Chrechte, she would far too easily be overheard.
“Laird?” Verica asked from the door, one hand on the doorjamb.
He flashed her a look. “Aye?”
The raven-wolf’s gaze jumped from Barr to Sabrine and back to Barr again, her curiosity regarding what they had been discussing a spicy scent that clung to the air around her. “Rowland will try to kill Earc rather than face him in fair challenge.”
“Aye, of that I am certain you are right. The man has less honor than the English.” Barr pushed away from the wall of the cottage. He moved to stand right in front of Sabrine, placing his hand on her neck in a possessive as well as comforting gesture—for a wolf. “We will continue this discussion later.”
She did not argue. Barr had to protect his friend, or that evil old Faol would kill him. And she’d almost grown fond of Earc after hearing him defend Verica so staunchly, not to mention the way he had protected the raven-wolf youth from facing Rowland in challenge.
Barr went back into the cottage and Sabrine found herself following without thought. Brigit was awake now, clinging to her mother’s hand, her innocent gaze filled with worry. Who knew how much of the confrontation she had heard.
Sorcha was a beautiful woman, but lines of worry and unhappiness marred what once must have been a face that often creased in smiles. She clung to her daughter’s hand just as tightly and watched the Chrechte men with a level of wariness Sabrine understood all too well.
Barr reached down and tucked a stray lock of Brigit’s cinnamon-colored hair behind her ear. “You have naught to fear. I give you my word.”
“I believe you.” The child tried for a smile, and her attempt was passable.
Barr turned his gaze to the finely trembling mother.
“Sorcha, you and Brigit are to return to the keep with Sabrine. She will keep you safe in my room while the problem of Rowland is dealt with by those who have pledged you their protection.”
The human woman did not manage quite as passable a smile as her daughter, but her attempt showed her