‘You want my son for yourself,’ he spat.
Well, yes, that was true but that wasn’t why I was doing this; I wasn’t in the business of manipulating romance or feelings. It wouldn’t hurt my cause if that’s where Aifric thought my motivation came from, though. ‘People in love do crazy things,’ I said. ‘Bring the audience back.’
‘What reassurance do I have that you won’t split up my son and Tipsania anyway?’
‘You have my word.’
‘You’re a dirty Clan-less bitch. I wouldn’t trust anything that came out of your mouth.’
‘And now we have it,’ I said softly. ‘The truth will out in the end.’ I dropped my voice to a whisper. ‘Always.’
He raised his hands as if he were about to hit me and I waggled my finger at him. ‘People are watching, Steward. Do what I say or suffer the consequences.’ I sounded like a comic book villain. Maybe I should get a cape.
His gaze shifted to something behind me. The Bull was lumbering towards the tent, his shoulders drooping. I smiled. ‘Time’s up.’ I patted Aifric on the shoulder, pivoted and followed the Bull in.
‘Do it now,’ I hissed to him. ‘In front of everyone.’
The Bull growled under his breath but he walked to the centre of the room and cleared his throat. I glanced behind me. Aifric, looking sour, had also entered.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ the Bull rumbled, as the crowd gradually fell silent. ‘It’s not right that we can’t watch the Acumen challenge. There’s always been an audience in the past. I move that we let the people in to see the action.’
There were several murmurs of agreement and a few scattered claps but several of the higher-placed Carnegies cast anxious looks at Aifric. The good old Steward was very, very unhappy but he wasn’t about to let this lot see his distress. He pasted on a beatific smile and strode forward.
‘What a good idea! I agree wholeheartedly. We should let people watch. The Games are entertainment, after all.’ He slapped the Bull’s back and resolutely refused to look in my direction. ‘What say you, Clan Carnegie?’
There was a brief, awkward silence. The Carnegie Chieftain, a thin wiry man, pushed his way forward. ‘We can do that.’ He paused. ‘If the Steward demands it.’
Aifric laughed heartily. ‘Oh, I’m not demanding anything. The Games are yours to run. It’s merely a suggestion.’
‘Then that is what we shall do,’ Chieftain Carnegie said. ‘As always, Steward, you are very wise.’
The weak applause started again but soon changed into something louder and more enthusiastic. I didn’t know or care whether it was forced or genuine; I’d got what I wanted. With people watching my every move, I’d be as safe as I could be. It would be blatant dishonour for the Carnegies – or anyone else – to harm me.
I turned on my heel and walked out again, passing closely by Aifric. He didn’t say a word but I could feel his anger. I’d have enjoyed letting him believe that I’d fallen for his lies for a while longer but, let’s face it, the truth was going to come out at some point.
The chill night air was pleasant and briskly reinvigorated both my body and my mind. I didn’t pay much attention to where I was going; I was too busy working out what Aifric’s next move might be.
I was lost in thought, my head down and my attention elsewhere, when a cold voice emerged from the darkness. ‘Look who it is. The girl who’s too good to fight.’
I looked up, seeking the voice’s owner, and made out two shapes at the top of the hill. Tipsania and Byron. A flash of bitter jealousy zipped through me. For two people who were apparently faking their relationship, they spent a lot of time together. Did she know he’d kissed me? Or that he’d been alone with me a couple of hours ago when I was almost naked?
‘Having a little moonlit dalliance, are you?’ I called out, an edge to my tone. It annoyed me that I was annoyed; I could deal calmly with Aifric Moncrieffe who was trying to destroy me but, when it came to his son, my emotions overtook my rationality and sense.
‘We’re discussing strategy,’ Tipsania returned coolly. ‘If one of us beats you tomorrow, you’re going to lose. That’s what happens when you’re too afraid to fight. If you’d beaten that giant and passed Angus MacQuarrie, you’d be in a better position.’
I marched up to her. ‘I’m not afraid to fight,’ I said, getting in her face. ‘I’m just too good for it. I don’t have to throw my fists around to win these Games. When I’m standing on that dais and getting that prize, you’ll see exactly what I mean.’
‘Never going to happen,’ she sniffed. ‘Tell her, By.’
‘Tipsy…’
She threw up her arms. ‘Now you’re on her side? Why am I surprised?’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘This is important. We can’t let her win. You know that.’
There was such an air of dejection about her that I felt a ripple of sympathy. ‘You know, Tipsania,’ I said softly, ‘if you don’t win the Games, you could just ask your father to give you what you want. He does love you. I’m sure he’ll do whatever he can to keep you happy.’
‘And what would you know about it?’ she snapped. ‘Besides, it’s not up to him.’ She gestured at Byron in frustration. He looked away and she hissed at me, ‘Just because you don’t care what others think of you doesn’t mean the rest of us can afford to be like that.’ She picked up her skirts and walked off.
I sighed, sat down on the wall and watched her go. Byron sat next to me. ‘You know, she’s not as bad as she pretends.’
