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under your skin,” said Rógaire.
    “Yes, Aowyn. You’re going to give yourself the collywobbles if you keep worrying about her,” added Lorgaire.
    Aowyn blew a breath as she looked at Eagnaí. Eagnaí scowled at his older brothers. Rógaire and Lorgaire grinned innocently and darted off. Eagnaí readied to chase them, but Aowyn tugged at his shirt. “Leave them.”
    Eagnaí glared at Aowyn.
    Aowyn sighed. “It will only be a goose chase, and you will be the one who gets goosed.”
    Eagnaí huffed. “I am inclined to rename them.”
    “Dare I ask?”
    Eagnaí folded his arms. “ Bràthair Dúr Haon and Bràthair Dúr Dó .”
    “Stupid Brother One and Two is not very nice, Eagnaí.”
    “The truth isn’t always nice, Aowyn.”
    “They are clever boys.” Aowyn’s sight trained on her older brothers in the distance.
    “Clever is as clever does,” Eagnaí grimaced.
    “Aowyn!”
    Aowyn and Eagnaí turned. Stór ran toward them with Maeb in tow.
    Aowyn smiled. “There is my Stór.” She crouched and opened her arms to him. Stór raced to her and clambered inside her embrace. Aowyn stood, relieved that he was safe.
    Maeb dabbed at her flushed face. “I found him in the kitchen stealing boiled cream treats.”
    Stór grinned at Aowyn impishly.
    Aowyn tilted her head. “Stór. You will ruin your supper.”
    Stór leaned his head back with a groan. “But they are so good, Wynnie!”
    Aowyn pressed her cheek to his. “I know. I hide them in my room,” she whispered.
    Stór giggled and squirmed to be put down. Aowyn lowered him and ruffled his hair. “Stay out of the kitchen or the ban sídhes might get you, Aonwys a Stór.”
    Stór looked at her wide-eyed and gasped. He scampered off and clung to Maeb’s apron.
    Eagnaí smirked and inclined his head to his sister. “And you said I was mean.”
    Aowyn looked back at him. The two broke into laughter. It was the first time since Sulwen’s passing.
     
    But laughter remained scarce.
     
    Every day Aowyn could see Ciatlllait growing hungrier. The noises she made for Choróin were not moans of lust but groans for power. Aowyn saw it in the woman’s visage. The way she treated those below her and the way she carried herself showed that she wanted nothing more than majesty and dominion over all things. Yet Aowyn knew Ciatlllait had heard the girl warning her brothers. Her honeyed words sounded sweet to the men, but her gaze on Aowyn stung. Aowyn would not give ground to the woman. She clutched to what bravery she had and stung back. If Aodhagáin would not show fire, Aowyn must. Animosity grew between Ciatlllait and Aowyn like a canker. Neither would share the king or the princes.
     
    The moon had not appeared in many nights. Aowyn could not help remember her mother’s last words, “My love is like the moon—shining and eternal. And as long as it rises in the sky, you shall never be alone.”
    I am alone! Aowyn thought as she wept in the darkness one night. How could she protect her father and brothers if they did not listen to her? Aowyn dashed away her tears with the back of her wrist. Foolish boys! How could they not see what she saw so clearly?
    A clatter sounded down the hall. Aowyn lifted her head. It grew quiet. Another crash-bang erupted. Aowyn ran into the hall. The noise came from Choróin’s room. Choróin yelled and groaned, not unlike the other nights Ciatlllait came to visit him. Aowyn moved toward her brother’s room and pressed her ear to the door. There was grunting and cries followed by a very animalistic Honk!
    Aowyn rapped on the door. Ciatlllait opened it. Her hair disheveled, she blocked the view into the room. Aowyn tried to push past her. “Where is Áodhán an Choróin?”
    Ciatlllait smoothed her gown and took a deep breath. Her gaze bore through Aowyn.
    Aowyn’s jaw set. “I’ll not ask again, she-witch. Where is my brother?”
    Another honk came from the room. Choróin’s silver plate with the family sun crest toppled from