Chapter 15
B ethany could not go any longer without acting. Comgall was the closest she had to an ally here in Dunadd. If she chose the right words, perhaps he would find a way to protect her from Dubnus. The priest could not really be a time traveller, she knew that, but he was still a threat. Until she found a way to get out of Dunadd, she would need Comgall’s support. He did seem to like her, in his own way. And he had kissed her.
He only likes Princess Eithne, not you , Bethany’s nasty little inner voice whispered. She ignored it. Comgall was a good man, she knew that for sure. He would at least try to help her. She must believe that.
She found Comgall in the hall where he spent so much of his time. It seemed that any matter of state or judgement was dealt with here in the huge hall, in front of anyone who wanted to watch. Comgall was there, on his large formal chair, exactly where Bethany had hoped to see him. Unfortunately, he was deep in conversation with a tall, broad-shouldered man whose swirling blue tattoos suggested he was from the eastern kingdom of the Picts.
“A new ambassador,” someone murmured into Bethany’s ear. She turned a little and met the eyes of Tomás, Comgall’s brother. Remembering his wandering hands, she shifted away a little. He smiled, the expression wolf-like.
“The Picts have just elected a new king, like us,” he said quietly. “There is going to be a lot of discussion and negotiation taking place. Comgall could be busy for hours. Right up until the inauguration, maybe.”
Bethany’s heart fell. How foolish, to forget all Comgall’s other priorities. Why should he worry about her? She wasn’t even his real betrothed. He probably forgot she existed as soon as she was out of his sight. This had been a waste of time.
“You look worried,” Tomás said. “Maybe I could help you. What’s the problem?”
Bethany took a moment to truly look at him. Despite her earlier impression, his eyes were nothing but earnest and helpful. Perhaps he’d been drunk when he touched her like that before. A once-off. Maybe he wanted to make it up to her.
“It’s Dubnus,” she said carefully.
Tomás winced.
“I saw his display the other day. Not pleasant. Has he spoken to you again?”
“Sort of,” Bethany said nervously. “He hasn’t treated me well. I do not like him or trust him.”
Tomás nodded slowly, his face creased in a frown.
“This sounds serious,” he said. “I’m sure my brother would want it dealt with straight away. Why don’t you come with me up to the church? I’ll confront Dubnus and put an end to all of this. ”
“I don’t think-” Bethany began, but Tomás had already stepped past her. He marched out of the hall, never even looking back.
Panic hitting her, Bethany rushed after him. Was it really a good idea to confront Dubnus like this? She hadn’t even had a chance to think about it! What could she really accuse him of, without making everything worse?
“Please wait,” she said, trailing after Tomás as he strode determinedly through the hillfort. “I’m not sure about this. We should talk about it first.”
But he ignored her and walked onward. It was as if he didn’t hear a single word she said.
They burst into the church, the door slamming shut behind them. To Bethany’s deep and powerful relief, the small stone building was empty. No sign of Dubnus anywhere. Tomás came to a halt, fists clenched at his sides.
Bethany let out a soft sigh as she relaxed. No confrontation after all.
Tomás turned to stare at her. Bethany smiled at him a little, hoping she looked disappointed rather than relieved. Perhaps he would give up now.
Instead, he grabbed her. One hand on her shoulder and one on her throat, he pinned her against the wall, beside the door. Bethany hit the cold stone so hard that her head throbbed.
Tomás pressed against her, his eyes even colder than the stone behind her back.
“I don’t know who the hell you are,” he hissed. “But I know damn well that you aren’t Eithne. I don’t care one way or another what you want from my brother, but I don’t appreciate your interference. You need to get out of here and stay away from Comgall, or you’ll regret it. ”
Bethany fought for breath under his heavy hand.
Then she kneed him in the groin without even pausing to think. It was as if her knee acted for itself, and her brain did not need to be involved. Her self-defence lessons had not been a waste of money after all.
Tomás staggered back with a groan, his hands releasing her as he clutched at himself. Bethany ran past him and did not stop until she reached her own room. She raced in so fast that the maids with Matthew all jumped up in surprise.
“It’s fine,” Bethany said, gasping for breath as she waved them all down again. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
She’d never told so many lies before in her life.