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“If that is what you wish, I will not stop you,” Bhric said.
“Do not be hasty, Sven. My brother needs us,” Ingrid said. “Besides, Bhric always does what is right for the tribe.”
Tavia knew she was doomed. She was not part of the tribe, nor would she ever be, so she spoke up thinking she had nothing to lose since she had lost already. “Lord Bhric rules Clan MacShane here. Will he do what is right by them?”
“My solar,” Bhric ordered before anyone could say a word.
“Come, Fen,” Tavia said.
“The hound remains here,” Bhric ordered.
Tavia’s temper shot up with her chin. “I think not, my lord, for I do not trust those who find it so easily to lie not to harm Fen. He comes with me.” She walked off, Fen at her side.
“You let her command you?” Sven asked annoyed.
“Watch what you say to me, Sven,” Bhric warned.
“I say what must be said,” Sven said, defending his remark.
“You trust a woman you barely know over a man who has been friends with you since you were young?” Ingrid asked. “Or pay no heed to the concerns of your tribe?”
“I came here to keep my word to our grandfather, to rule the Clan MacShane. I welcome you and your husband here, Ingrid, but know that here you are part of the Clan MacShane. If it is the tribe you prefer than return home with your husband.”
Bhric turned and walked away, a knot in the pit of his stomach, twisting ever tighter. How was it that only a few hours earlier he felt joy, the future full of promise and now all that was lost? He found it difficult to believe his wee wife would cause his sister harm. He had only seen kindness from her. It made no sense. But he had two women who swore to it and their word would spread and only add to the gossip already spreading about his wife.
Tavia stood by the hearth when he entered his solar, Fen by her side, instinct telling him she needed protection.
“You disobeyed me,” he said.
“You left me no choice. Fen protects me and I protect him, and I will not leave him with liars who wish me harm,” she said, showing strength when she felt anything but it.
“You think they mean to harm you?” he asked, her suggestion disturbing him for that would mean she was not safe in her own home.
“Why else would they lie? And why do they wish for people to doubt my word, to think badly of me?” Sorrow filled her eyes. “They had you believing it.”
The hurt in her eyes stabbed at his heart since she was right. There was an ounce of doubt in him.
“I gave you my word that I would speak only the truth to you, and I have. Yet you gave no thought to that promise when faced with this problem. You did not stand by me and claim me innocent without a shred of doubt. You wavered unsure which means my word means nothing to you. What does that tell me?”
“Tell me what happened?” he ordered, not knowing what to say to her since he hated to admit she was right.
“Why would you believe my word against your sister and those you have known far longer than me?”
“Why would they lie?” he snapped.
She shook her head. “I do not know. That you would have to ask them? But you should also ask why would I lie? Why would I have any ill will toward your sister? Or is it that you have heard the gossip that runs through the village and wonder what others do… that I have bewitched you.”
“Have you?” he asked without thinking.
Her hand went to her chest as if he had stabbed her with a dagger so painful were his words. “Say it, husband, say I tricked you into my bed and now I tricked you to seal our vows and bind me to you forever. Say that nothing we shared these last few weeks has been real that it has meant nothing, that I felt nothing, that I tricked you—nay—bewitched you into believing it so.”
Tavia fought hard not to cry but she was sure her heart was breaking, the pain hurt so badly.
Bhric felt as if he was losing her almost seeing her fade away in front of him and his heart felt like it was splitting in two.
“Tell me what happened so I may get to the truth,” he urged.
“The truth is you do not trust me and that is all the truth you need,” she said and ran out the door choking back tears, Fen close on her heels.
