Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) Read Free

failed h er,” Ceallach said, voice deeply laden with bitterness . “He let her die and then he joined Ailill.”
    Upon hearing the name Ailill, Ainmire’s own bitterness grew. “ So, it is true then,” he muttered . “Ailill does still live.”
    The Fomorii man turned to him. “Ailill’s only desire is to seek vengeance upon us ,” Ceallach informed him , calm slipping into his voice. “Just as we were, he too was betrayed by Méav . What more, h is brother was condemned to death by the High C hieftains and his lover took her own life in grief . Now he allies himself with the Misshapen Ones, those who he had once called enemies. He has his eye set on Tara and may attack the village in an act of vengeance .”
    Ainmire was silent a moment , taking in the grave tidings he had been presented with. “ It is ill timing that this is brought upon us,” he said quietly. “ It has naught been but a few moon s since that man named Ith set foot on our shores. His men left with his body, but I do not feel that is the end of it…” He rubbed his face wearily. “I do not believe in the least that Ith’s death should be taken lightly.” Ainmire exhaled heavily. “We shall not worry the High Chieftains with these tidings. We shall deal with Ailill ourselves.”
    Ceallach nodded in agreement . “ He is cunning and i f we do not prepare, he could easily slip enemies into the village right under our nose and watch us fall with a smile across his lips,” he continued. “ We will need to take every precaution to protect Tara.”
    Rubbing his forehead, Ainmire leaned forward and leaned against the table. “It would be helpful if we had a priestess…” he murmured in thought. “Had Méav not turned her back on this village, had she not tempted Ailill with power and then betrayed him, we would not be in this situation. Tara would be safe …”
    “Tara will not be without a priestess for long,” stated Ceallach.
    Ainmire raised a brow in question.
    “Réalta may have brought you a wife, but she will not be leaving alone,” the Fomorii man continued. “ Shiovra , daughter of Tríonna, shows great promise. It Réalta’s intentions to return to Rúnda with the girl and train her as a High Priestess.”
     
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    Shiovra sat once more at the loom. The sun had set and the girl conti nued to mull over what the correct choice would be . Her mother had confronted her earlier, dejectedly telling her that her aunt was to leave at dawn and she was to choose to either go with her and train or remain at Tara. Mahon had appeared depressed the rest of the day after learning that there was a chance she may leave and angered at his mother for telling him that he had no say in the matter.
    Tara had fallen quiet as the sun set and the darkness of night crept across the land, marking the end of the Beltaine festivities . Their small cottage was utterly silent, save for the soft clacking coming from the loom as Shiovra wove the beautiful cloth. She did not pause in her movements as she looked around at the faces of her kin.
    Her mother sat at the table near the hearth, sipping a hot cup of honey mead. Mahon leaned against a cottage support post , mindlessly running a piece of oiled cloth along the blade of a swo rd he had recently forged . Daire sat across from the fire, chipping away at a long stick with a dagger. And though she could not see Réalta , who sa t in the shadows , Shiovra could feel her eyes watching her like a hawk. Ceallach’s presence was lacking as he had gone to stand guard outside the main cottage where Ainmire and his bride had retired for the night .
    Suddenly, a chilling feeling raced through Shiovra ’s body, making the girl shiver. T he clacking stopped and the shuttle fell from her fingers to the floor. She could fee l all eyes turn to her, but she no longer saw their faces. The cold feeling of hate and rage consumed her, gripping her in terror.
    Shiovra found herself frozen as she turned a