“That’s not possible,” I said. “She’ll have to ride with you.”
Henry’s jaw tensed as a sharp breath rasped through his nose. “Please tell me you’re jesting.”
“Not in the slightest.” I stepped toward him until our bodies almost touched and tilted my head up. “I’ve something to tell you, but first you must promise not to overreact.”
He stared at me, taking a few seconds to consider my request. “How much more am I to be tried today?”
It was a fair question coming from a man who in a matter of hours had been attacked by my brother, driven from a bathing chamber, then informed that his betrothed had been pursued by a sworn rival. All the same, I wouldn’t risk Ailish without some reassurance. “Just promise to behave.”
“Very well. You have my word.”
Forgoing any sort of preamble, I jumped right to the heart of it. “Ailish is Cailleach’s descendant—”
His hand shot out like a snake, and the rest of my words turned to a startled cry as he dragged me behind him in one deft movement. The other hand went to his sword hilt.
Panicked, I grabbed at his arm. “You promised not to overreact!”
“She’s still alive, isn’t she?” he growled.
Ailish’s eyes bugged with fear. She didn’t retreat though, and I thought Henry must have scared her beyond movement until her fingers began to twitch at her side, no doubt from a rush of Cailleach’s power. Great! This was one battle I didn’t want to see.
I attempted to push past Henry before all hell broke loose, but his arm held like an iron band, keeping me in place. “Don’t you dare hurt her,” I warned, digging my fingers into his bicep and pulling with every bit of strength.
“Then I suggest you start explaining.”
A flood of words filled my mouth. “Ailish isn’t anything like Deri. She helped me escape from a charlatan and then put her own life at risk when he tracked us down again.” I paused just long enough to draw breath. “She even stood up to one of Cailleach’s hounds to keep me safe.”
Henry didn’t speak at once, and the strained silence settled around us. Even the seagulls seemed too quiet in the sky.
The silence became too much to bear, so I started once more, desperate for him to understand. “You have to believe me. I know we’re supposed to be enemies, but we’re not, regardless of what Cate may believe. She was mistaken, or maybe she never met anyone like Ailish.”
“What if you’re the one who’s mistaken?” he shot back. “Have you considered that the girl may be playing you for a fool?”
“She almost died for me!” I cried.
A passing housewife darted a nervous look in our direction, her arms full with the day’s shopping. I lowered my voice to keep from attracting more attention. “If you had been with us the past few days, you’d know I’m speaking the truth, and that Ailish is not the enemy.”
This last sentiment finally made a dent, and I felt Henry relax just a bit. His hand slid from the sword. “Are you certain?”
I gave Ailish a shaky smile from behind his back. “She’s proved a true friend. Of that I am completely certain.”
Another moment of silence passed when Henry lowered his other hand, this time setting me free. “A thousand apologies, Miss O’Bearra. If you are truly aware of all that transpired with Deri, then you’ll understand my abrupt reaction. You should also know that I will do anything to protect Selah.” This last part sounded a bit like a warning.
“She’s your true love,” Ailish stated, matter-of-factly.
“That she is.” Warmth softened the sharp edges of Henry’s voice. “Please accept my gratitude for what you have done.”
“Thank you, milord. But Selah saved me skin a time or two, so we be even.”
Henry nodded as I scooted around him. “I am in your debt all the same, Miss O’Bearra.”
“Then you will allow her to ride behind you. Our different blood makes us unable to tolerate the other’s touch. If we shared a horse, we’d both be screaming in a matter of seconds.”
Henry helped me into the saddle first. Then, swinging onto the other horse, he reached for Ailish. “Kick your leg over,” he instructed once her feet left the ground.
Ailish squealed in fear. The horse pranced nervously on the cobbles, but Henry kept a strong hold of the reins as he settled her behind him in the saddle. Two skinny arms shot forward, barely reaching around either side of his ribs in what looked to be a death grip. She buried her face in the back of his greatcoat.
“There you go, Miss O’Bearra. All settled?”
“Aye, milord,” came her muffled reply.