Lady Ilena Read Online Free

face and arms, and his chestnut mustache flows around his mouth and droops below his chin. His brown stallion is saddled over a bright blue cloth, and gold fittings decorate the leather harness straps.
    He greets Belert first. “Blessings on this house and all who live in it. It has been too long since Dun Struan and Dun Alyn have feasted together.”
    “Blessings on the feet that brought you, Faolan,” Belert responds. “It has been two years at least. How is your mother, the lady Edana?”
    “She is well. Both she and my sister, Blath, send greetings to you and to the lady Ilena.”
    I'm not sure about this man. It is expected that a warrior will be confident, but Faolan's bold stare makes me uncomfortable. One glance at Sorcha tells me that she finds him pleasing.
    He signals to one of his followers, and the young womansteps forward, leading the black colt. Faolan takes the rein and, with a slight bow, hands it to Belert. “A gift,” he says.
    A horse is the traditional bride gift brought by a suitor to the father or guardian of the young woman he desires. Sorcha's face shines with pleasure, and Belert smiles at her as he takes the colt's rein.
    Faolan steps back beside his saddle pack and reaches into it. “And for the lady herself …” He pulls out a gold bracelet and holds it up so that sunlight catches the twining decorations worked around it.
    Machonna has pressed against my leg since I came off the wall. Now, as Faolan steps forward, the dog moves toward him and growls. I lean down to grasp his collar and look up again to find the gold bangle on Faolan's outstretched palm. I stare for a few moments at the strong warrior's hand and the dragon tattoo that snakes its way up the sun-browned arm. Machonna growls more loudly, and I jerk him back to sit beside me.
    “Will you accept this, Lady Ilena?” Faolan asks. “And consider it a token of my request for our betrothal.”
    All fall silent around us. Even the horses stand quietly while I try to interpret this unexpected offer. I look to Belert and find no help. He stares straight forward with the aloof expression he often wears in public when he wants to conceal his feelings.
    I catch a glimpse of Sorcha as she turns away into the crowd. There are tears on her cheeks, and her face is pale.
    I reach out and touch the gold with my fingertip. “It is beautiful, Faolan. A gift far too fine for me.” I do not pick it up.
    Those behind me are shifting to let someone through; Machonna turns and whips his big tail in welcome as Spusscio pushes past to stand between me and our visitors.
    He and Faolan face each other in silence for a time.
    “What brings you to Dun Alyn?” Spusscio finally says. “Your usual trails lie farther north.”
    Faolan's eyes narrow, and he presses his lips together as if to keep from answering. When he does respond, his voice sounds forced. “In times like these it is wise to renew old friendships. And besides”—he makes a point of looking around Spusscio to see me—“I've heard much of the lady Ilena's beauty; those who spoke did not exaggerate.”
    I'm annoyed to feel myself flushing. I do not know this wolf-man, and I don't wish to show any reaction to his compliments. I think hard for an appropriate remark, but thankfully Belert takes over.
    “Enough talk. We've kept our guests standing for too long.” He turns to Cormec, who is our doorkeeper and thus responsible for matters of hospitality. “Are accommodations ready?”
    “Of course,” Cormec says. “Rooms are being prepared, and water is heating.”
    Belert speaks to Faolan. “I'll take you to the men's guest quarters, and Ilena will show the women to their rooms.
    We'll wait for you in the Great Hall, where food will be ready by the time you've refreshed yourselves.” Before Belert turns to lead the way across the compound, he stares at Spusscio, but I still can't tell what he is thinking. Faolan holds the bracelet out to me for another brief moment, then carries