Read Online The Sword and the Song by C. E. Laureano - Free Book Online

shifted her burden. “Knock, please,” she instructed the guards.
    Moments later, the door opened. Morrigan’s wary expression changed to one of puzzlement. “My lady?”
    “I brought breakfast.” Aine indicated the bowls in her hands. “The men said you hadn’t ventured out this morning.”
    “Considering my reception last night, it didn’t seem prudent.” Morrigan stood aside for her to pass. One of the guards attempted to follow her in, but Aine stopped him with a sharp look.
    “I think I’m safe enough, thank you. I will call if I need you.”
    Aine set the bowls on the table and shifted the bundle of cloth from beneath her arm to her hands. “We haven’t been formally introduced. I am Aine Nic Tamhais, Conor’s wife.”
    Surprise flickered on the other woman’s face. “King Calhoun’s sister?”
    Aine dipped her head in acknowledgment. “The same.” She offered the bundle in her hands. “This is for you in case you want to change clothes.”
    Morrigan shook out the dress, her brow furrowing. “I don’t understand.”
    “I thought you might like to appear in front of the Conclave in something other than bloodstained trousers.” Aine took a seat at the small table across from Morrigan’s breakfast tray and gestured. “But first let’s eat. I’m famished.”
    “I expect you would be, in your condition.” Morrigan sat across from Aine and pulled her bowl toward herself.
    A smile twitched on Aine’s lips, but she suppressed it. So the game had begun. “My condition?”
    “Naturally. The men might be too blind to notice, but you’re clearly with child. I would guess four or five months. Am I right?”
    “Very good. You’re correct.”
    “Does my brother know?”
    “Aye, he knows. Please eat. I suspect times have been lean, and you’ll need your strength.”
    Now it was Morrigan’s turn to smile. “Does Conor know how skilled you are at this?”
    At least that proved Morrigan wouldn’t be manipulated. She’d get further playing it straight. “Of course he does. That’s why he sent me.”
    Morrigan broke into a full-fledged smile. “Then tell me, my lady: what do you want from me? We both know the planto coax out my secrets woman to woman was doomed from the start.”
    “Tell me about Ard Bealach.”
    A flash of disquiet crossed Morrigan’s face and disappeared just as swiftly. “Compared to Lisdara or Carraigmór, it’s a relatively small fortress, but it’s deep. Three stories of stone with catacombs and passages beneath. Meallachán was imprisoned in the cells on the lowest level, though they’re really more like bolt-holes with grates across them. Not even enough room to stand.”
    Aine studied Morrigan closely as she spoke. There was no hesitation, no wavering, no shifting of her eyes that would indicate she was fabricating this story. “So given that the fortress is so small and isolated, how did you escape? Why didn’t Somhairle send men after you?”
    Morrigan stared, a tinge of sickness coloring her skin, a sign that she hadn’t expected that question from Aine. Then it was gone behind her cool, controlled facade.
    “You’re a beautiful woman, Lady Aine. Surely you’ve discovered the advantage that gives you. You were alone in Aron, as I understand it. It must have been useful.”
    Aine recoiled a bit, the comment hitting too close for comfort, even if Morrigan couldn’t know her current turmoil. “Aye. But you were a prisoner.”
    Morrigan studied her for a moment. “You really are an innocent, aren’t you? I wouldn’t have thought that still possible.” Her tone gentled, almost as if she didn’t wish to shock her. “All men have their price, my lady. And all women have their weapons. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish when you’re willing to use them.”
    Innocent as Morrigan believed she was, Aine received the message clearly. Rather than shocking her, it set a deep pity inher chest. That could have been her situation, had she not been