“Aoife—Aoife, love—”
Halverton stood above them, breathing hard once through his nose, the only crack in his composure. He crossed the hall, threw open the doors, and bellowed. “Soldiers!”
A moment later, soldiers clattered into the hall.
“Remove them!”
“Please,” Aoife gasped as the soldiers grabbed her father. “Don’t hurt him!”
“But he hurt you,” Halverton said, twisting the truth, trying to make her doubt what she knew.
Aoife searched for a face she knew amongst the soldiers. Her eyes met Lugh’s. “Please”
“Throw them out. They’re never welcome here again,” Halverton barked.
Lugh moved quickly, the first to reach her siblings; he ushered them out without laying a hand on them.
Maire cried as they were moved toward the door. Eoin glared up at Halverton, then hurled the book to the floor. It struck the marble with a hollow slap.
When the door slammed shut, silence fell.
Aoife stayed where she was, the hit still burning her face. Halverton loomed over her, his voice low and trembling with fury. “No one speaks to me like that,” his voice was ice.
Then he turned and stormed out.
Chapter 23
Alton appeared moments later, silent as a shadow. He knelt beside her, his good hand hovering a moment before he touched her shoulder.
“Miss Aoife,” he murmured, gentle but urgent. “Come. Let me help you.”
Alton guided her to her feet carefully, bracing her as she swayed.
“Lean on me,” he said.
She took his arm because she had no choice. Her cheek throbbed with every heartbeat.
They walked toward her room. By the time they reached the top of the stairs, she was already steadier, and she pulled her arm away.
“You must understand,” he said at last, voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry. “His lordship is used to order and control. Before you came, nothing here was ever unpredictable. You’ve shaken things up, even when you don’t mean to.”
Aoife stopped walking. “He hit me.”
“He was angry that you stood up to him. Bringing your family here was a kindness. And you threw it in his face.”
Aoife almost laughed, but the motion hurt her cheek. It came out brittle instead.
“No,” she said. “He wanted to show them what he’s made of me. Prove to me and himself that he dictates everything aboutmy life now. From whom I’m allowed to see, to what I’m allowed to say and do when I see them.”
A flicker of discomfort passed over Alton’s face. Aoife set off for her room again; Alton jogged a few steps to catch up.
“He dictates your life now. Wouldn’t it be simpler to recognise that? To stop fighting him?”
Aoife could have laughed again. He had no idea how often she’d bitten her tongue, how often she’d made herself small, how often she’d gone against her own morals in letting him behave the way he did.
“I’ve been as docile and compliant as I know how to be. And it isn’t enough.”
“You’ll learn. It takes practice.”
