Irish Moon by Amber Scott Page B

“Nay. He clearly
killed a man you clearly do not fathom the worth of. He doesn’t
deserve to breathe the air I take into my lungs.”
    Breanne’s heart ached again for Finn. Had
Heremon’s death sealed his curse, never to be lifted now? Seven
times failing proved that she couldn’t lift it on her own. Or would
Heremon’s death change the prophecy that an Ovate would end Finn’s
enchanted sentence?
    “I understand your
anger , b ut this
man may not be at fault . We canno’ assume blame with only his presence
here to evidence it.”
    Finn’s stare locked onto hers and she saw his
pain, raw and fresh. But killing the man did not bode well.
    “Slit him open and leave him to choke on his
own foul blood. We must get help before Heremon falls from that
ledge. We cannot afford your uncertainty.”
    “This man is in no shape to kill anyone and
can’t have been for some time. If you take pause for a moment and
view the man as he is, you will see I speak truly.” She waited
while he grudgingly turned to view the gleaming body he meant to
slaughter. “A fever such as this is not brought on in minutes. He
may not make it past whatever ails him and no man is strong enough
to kill in this condition.”
    “And pushing an old man off a cliff takes
immense strength, does it? If not for luck having Heremon’s body
finding that ledge, it would be lost to the sea.”
    She wouldn’t acknowledge
his tone by responding in like. She must remain calm, speak calmly. “Even
walking to that edge himself would be impossible.” She wasn’t
certain she spoke the truth , but she felt deep in her bones that this man must
live. She must persuade him to wait. More than persuade, he must be
convinced because Breanne couldn’t leave the man
alone , yet had to
get help before Heremon fell and was lost to the sea.
    Finn eyed the man and Breanne watched for the
venom in his expression to give way to compassion, understanding,
or at least acquiescence. “He isn’t going anywhere. I will bring
Niall and others for Heremon. Niall will see the man answers for
what he may have done or find the person who should. Heremon was
his most trusted advisor, was his Brehon advisor for years.”
    Finn lowered his head slightly and closed his
eyes. Breanne’s hope rose then fell again when the cat shook his
head. “You will not give this man over to Niall.”
    Taken aback, Breanne scowled. “Of course I
will. I must. He may know something.”
    Finn glared at her in his typical
condescension. “Don’t you think Heremon would have brought the man
to the keep if it were his intention? Has it not crossed your mind
that the man is here for a reason?”
    Breanne didn’t know how to gauge this about
face other than as another outlet for his sorrow and anger. “No. I
found him outside, fallen. I didn’t conclude that Heremon had him
here at all, let alone by secret.” A strange and disquieting
sensation took hold of her as implications and fears scrambled her
thoughts.
    “At this rate, Breanne, I will live a
thousand years in this cursed place.” He shook his head slower.
“The table? Did you not notice the pile of men’s clothing, a sword,
next to the table in the herb closet?”
    Breanne shook her head equally slowly. She
hadn’t. She’d been so keen on finding the herbs that she’d barely
noticed the table itself. She rose and went to the room and was
struck by the obviousness of the pile, particularly the large,
heavy-looking sword. Its hilt was encrusted with three large
emeralds and a trail of sapphires inlaid in gold filigree.
Beautiful.
    “I still see no reason not to tell Niall. He
needs care. He should be moved to the keep.”
    “Do you recall what Heremon spoke of in his
presage?” Finn said the name reverently. A new note of misery rang
in his words.
    Breanne furrowed her brow and struggled to
remember the words from what felt like days ago, longer. She wanted
to leave. She’d made a plan and Finn was changing it all. Niall
would know