Page 77 of An Enchanted Spring

“Does anyone ever die at these events?” Emma asked nervously. Through the gate in the wall that separated thelists from the courtyard, she spied men hoisting a long beam onto supports in the middle of the training fields. Further down, men used large metal spikes to outline circles in the dirt.

“Not often,” Bri replied, patting her on the arm. “The lists are being set up for jousting, swordplay, and close combat.”

“You have it on the castle grounds?” Emma asked.

“Yes. It’s safest, and Nioclas hates having his land trampled by overeager participants,” she answered.

“I could see that. He’s very intimidating.”

“Don’t let his grumbly ways fool you. He’s really quite soft on the inside.”

“Perhaps my brother only allows you to see such a weakness,” Aidan said, stepping from the shadows and grinning when Brianagh jumped.

“You are a menace!” she exclaimed, placing a hand on her heart. “You scared me half to death!”

He gave her a bow. “My lady. Lady Emma.”

“What are you doing here?” Brianagh demanded.

“Listening to you lay my very serious brother bare,” Aidan replied, his eyes teasing. “Soft, you say?”

“Don’t you dare tell him,” Brianagh warned.

“Oh, the price of my silence is high,” Aidan replied in mock seriousness. “Perhaps too high.”

“Name it,” Brianagh challenged him.

“Surely, you can’t be so afraid of your husband that you’d be willing to pay someone for silence,” Emma protested, worrying her lip.

Brianagh laughed. “Never. I simply don’t trust what his brother will say to him, as they have always loved to torment each other. Name your price, MacWilliam.”

“The company of your escort,” Aidan said without hesitation.

“Oh, you’re smooth,” Brianagh laughed. She waved her hand around. “I was just giving her the grand tour.”

“Then I’m as good as any to take over,” Aidan replied with a cheeky grin. He leaned forward and murmured to Emma conspiratorially, “I did, after all, spend the majority of my youth inside—and outside—these walls.”

Brianagh relinquished Emma’s arm. “I believe she’s safe enough with you.”

“In public,” Aidan murmured so only Emma could hear. She flushed.

“Is four an acceptable number of guards?” Bri asked.

“Aye. We’re within the inner walls,” he replied, tucking Emma’s hand into his elbow.

“Perfect timing,” Brianagh said as a new group of people entered the courtyard. “There are some more of the Monaghans. I’ll greet them.”

“Would you care to see the inside of the lists?” Aidan asked, winding Emma’s hand around his bicep.

Her face lit up. “Yes!”

He grinned in response. “I thought so.”

He brought her to where the jousting would take place, and explained in great detail what the men were doing, and how the event would progress. He gave her insight into how the spears were checked for bluntness, chain mail worn, and swords sharpened.

“I saw you sharpening your sword. Back at Reilly’s,” she admitted. “I wondered at the time why you were restoring it yourself, in the moonlight.”

Aidan smiled. “It’s something I’ve always done. Taking care of your weapon is something that’s taught from an early age here. Swords aren’t inexpensive. The steel, if it’s of good quality, will save your life in a battle. And if it’s sharpened correctly, those who attempt to take your life don’t get another chance at it.” He paused. “That brutality—thatreality—is part of everyday life here. I took to sharpening my sword in the moonlight because it soothes me. I feel closer to nature, to the earth’s cycles and her rhythms.”

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