Chapter Ten
Unbelievable, this woman. Could she truly not see the problem here?
“He courted me not long after we opened the inn, but I didn’t like him once we spent time together. He got angry over it and opened his inn across the river to steal customers from us before they got further into town.”
“And you somehow believe he’s motivated by your sister?
” Conan couldn’t believe they were even having such a ridiculous conversation.
For what felt the hundredth time that morn, he forced his gaze away from her heaving chest and the delicious imaginings that brought to mind.
“If you were the one he wanted, I promise it’s not your sister he now desires. ”
Alannah shrugged. “I think he started out trying to get back at me. But it’s turned into an attack on the inn, and Emer is the heart of the inn.”
“Or maybe he realizes the best way to hurt you is to hurt her.” Either way, Conan would end this nonsense. He couldn’t leave knowing a madman was after them. “Why does he keep accusing you of stealing his business?”
He wanted to kiss the smug grin that claimed her lips.
“When he opened his hostelry on the eastern shore, it was easy for him to stop travelers before they had to ford the river. And most folk don’t want to get soaked right before they tuck in for the night. Our business suffered for it until the bridge went up.
“Before, even when I paid Glasny to recommend folk to The Hart’s Rest, they often just stayed where they’d not need to cross at the ford that night.
But now that there’s an easy way to cross, I’ve made a few friends around town who don’t mind telling people how great The Hart’s Rest is in exchange for a small cut of our profit. ”
Conan’s chest tightened every time she mentioned the bridge. If it had saved their business, then burning it would hurt them. It would hurt her.
He didn’t like that thought one bit.
“Do a lot of people on the western shore feel that way as well?” he asked. “That the bridge has made things easier?”
She nodded emphatically. “Everyone I’ve spoken with, including folk who live in the farms on the west of town. It’s easier for them to head inland to markets.”
Damn. That was not what he wanted to hear at all. “Then it’s a good thing that bridge was built,” was all he could manage, and he felt like an arse for saying it even as he was plotting to burn it down.
He’d been planning to work with her on her fist fighting, but the knot forming in his gut told him that was a dangerous game to start playing. Already guilt threatened his resolve. He was here to burn down that bridge and then get out of town. He doubted he’d ever come back, either.
Illadan was right—he needed to stay away from Alannah.
*
Alannah lingered for just a few moments.
Not because she thought she should stay, but because she didn’t want to go.
When Conan nodded and turned away, she took that as her sign to do the same.
And the first order of business following that run was a wash.
She hadn’t been covered in so much sweat since she built the last guest cottage.
Wandering into the common room of The Hart’s Rest, Alannah found Emer sweeping out the sleeping compartments along the outside of the room, her ochre skirts swishing in time with the broom.
“I’m going down to the river to wash,” she told her sister. “Want to keep me company?” Alannah did want Emer’s company, of course. She loved her sister dearly. But she also didn’t like the idea of leaving her here alone right after Oran’s most recent attack. He’d been far more violent of late.
Concerningly so.
Emer’s smile faltered for but a moment before returning, brighter than ever. “Of course! Let me grab some bedding to clean.”
“You’re going to swim, too, right?” They always swam together. Emer loved the water as much as Alannah, and it was far more fun to go with one another.
Emer hesitated. “I’ve already done so.”
Alannah narrowed her eyes. Emer never refused to swim. “Are you alright?”
“Of course, of course,” her sister hurried, pulling a basket of linens from the floor and hoisting it onto her hip. “I just need to get these cleaned.”
Something wasn’t right, but Alannah couldn’t decide what it might be. Perhaps Emer was more tired than usual after Oran came by twice in the past two days. When they got to the river, no doubt she’d change her mind and join in the fun.
Alannah carried a second basket of linens, leading the way down the path and into Ath Luain. It was nearing midday, and the sun was out for the first time in days, blazing above and beckoning everyone outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Including the bards, it would seem.
Alannah and Emer found the men scattered about town.
Dallan and Finn wandered near the market square, perusing the myriad wares.
Conan and Ardál stepped onto the bridge, heading to the eastern shore.
When they reached the grassy river bank, they found Illadan sitting on the bridge fishing.
He was too far out to call out to, probably near halfway across the wide causeway.
Alannah wasn’t even certain whether he saw them, for he made no motion to indicate that he had.
Moving to their usual swimming spot, protected enough to keep them out of easy sight of the entire village, Alannah stripped down and laid out her clothes, wading into the brisk water. No one else was around, which surprised her given the warm, sunny day. It was perfect for a swim.
Smiling and turning her face up to the sun, she danced her fingers over the water, rippling it around her. The river had warmed considerably in just the past two days.
“You should get in,” she called to Emer. “It feels wonderful.”
On the shore, Emer sat dunking a bed sheet. “I should get these washed.”
“I’ll help you.” Alannah swam over, running her hands across her arms and body to get the sweat and grime off. Grabbing the next sheet, she got to work.
Between the two of them, the washing was done in no time.
Emer stayed oddly quiet as they worked, raising Alannah’s suspicions even more.
Folding the last sheet and plopping it into the basket to carry home and hang out, Alannah turned back to her sister.
“Alright, the wash is done. Now you can get in and enjoy yourself,” she declared.
“I don’t know if I feel like swimming today.”
“You always feel like swimming,” Alannah countered, her brow creasing. “You love swimming.”
Emer shrugged, moving her legs out from under her as though she intended to leave already.
Alannah’s hand shot out, resting on her sister’s knee. “Emer, what’s going on? You’re not swimming. You’re hardly speaking. What’s wrong?”
A heavy sigh escaped Emer’s rosy lips. “I will swim, but only if you swear not to overreact.”
Alannah froze, a shiver of foreboding running down her spine. “Overreact to what?”
“Promise,” Emer pressed.
Alannah didn’t like the desperation in her sister’s voice. “I promise.”
Emer took off her dress, laying it on dry grass. When her arm slipped out of her chemise, Alannah marched straight out of the water, taking her sister’s hand and pulling her arm closer.
It was covered in bruises.
Fingerprint-shaped bruises.
Oran. It had to have happened the day the bards came, when Alannah thought she’d arrived just in time to get him out before he hurt Emer. Apparently, she hadn’t quite made it.
Her head buzzed as ice crystallized in her veins. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No!” Emer squealed, pulling her chemise back on. “See, this is exactly what I was worried about. You’re going to get yourself killed. I’m just fine.”
“You’re not fine!” Alannah grabbed her trews, struggling to pull them on over her wet legs. “And I warned him.”
“You promised not to overreact.”
Alannah tugged her léine over her head, giving her loose hair a good swish to get it out of the way. “I’m not overreacting. I’m reacting appropriately. Stay here.”
Ignoring Emer’s continued protests, Alannah took off toward the causeway.
And vengeance.