Chapter 38

38

T o a riot of applause, Aislinn rose from her father's seat upon the dais in Dundúran's great hall. The great room nearly burst to the rafters with people and noise, hundreds of hands clapping, hundreds of faces smiling, hundreds of bellies full of wine and meat.

After a grueling day, it was time for celebration. The wine cellars and kitchen stores had been thrown open, and the castle courtyard and city streets glowed into the night with people reveling in the day's victories.

It'd taken the afternoon to make sense of the meadow. Efforts to bury the dead mercenaries would go on for days yet, and she had mounted parties patrolling the surrounding land and villages. With luck, the fleeing mercenaries would be driven right into the waiting crown forces and justice.

Their own dead had been brought back for proper rites, and Aislinn went herself to those families in Dundúran who'd lost kin. Some vassals had insisted her cut be seen to first, and that she should change, but Aislinn went as she was, bloodied and battle-weary. She wept with the families, offering them her deepest sympathy and the sword of their fallen kin.

The pain of losing over twenty good knights wouldn't soon go away. It hurt her heart more than the ache in her leg as she walked from one side of the castle to the other, seeing to everything that needed it. The activity took her mind from the horror of the day, and she was glad of the respite.

Eventually, though, Hakon's patience came to its end. He insisted she be seen to and promised he would allow a healer to look at him if she did so first. Sitting in her solar as the physician cleansed and stitched, the day had fallen upon Aislinn, an avalanche of emotion crashing through her.

She'd wept into Hakon's shoulder, trying to hold her left leg still for the physician. He murmured soothing things to her, things she would believe someday. For tonight, she was heartsick, and he seemed to understand.

When the stitching was complete and her eyes finally empty of tears, she'd leaned back to see the grim set of his face. There was no true triumph in bloodshed, and much had been spilled to secure her position as heiress. She wouldn't soon forget her dead knights, nor the sight of her brother's broken head.

As Fia helped her change into a clean kirtle and brushed her hair free of dirt and debris, Hakon finally allowed the healers to see to him. Aislinn couldn't help hovering, worrying over the nasty slice across his beautiful chest and the gash to his side.

The physician assured them, but mostly Aislinn, that the wounds weren't deep and would heal well. Hakon seemed not to mind them, but Aislinn found watching him being stitched more upsetting than having it done to her own flesh.

"Orcs heal quickly," Hakon promised her. He sat calmly with a bare chest as the physician did their work, never flinching or groaning.

Aislinn could only chew nervously on her cheek and, when the physician was finished, assure herself of his health. She ran her hands over his warm exposed skin, careful to avoid his bandages.

Somehow, fresh tears threatened to spill. Pulling her into his arms, Hakon cupped her head against his chest and purred softly for her. Her new tears came but at least without sobs, and she soaked up his warm comfort for a long moment, breathing deep of his rich, masculine scent.

His hand ran down the length of her hair in slow, soothing caresses, and after a time, she regained her composure.

She helped clean him of the grime and blood of the day, Aislinn herself scrubbing his hands. She sought every speck of blood and dirt with a militancy, not satisfied until he was wholly green again. He calmly let her, understanding that she needed this, needed to see that they were both washed clean of the day and its horrors.

When he was clean and freshly clothed, he'd offered her his hand and accompanied her back out to see to more.

Aislinn looked to him from her place upon the dais and winked. He grinned back at her from where he stood to the side of the dais, his eyes ringed with fatigue, but standing stalwart nevertheless. She didn't know how she could have faced this day alone; through seeing the families of the dead and the healer and speaking with every person in Dundúran, it seemed, he was there beside her.

Thank fates for that. Thank every god, old and new, that we saw sense.

Her gratitude for him, for having him at her side, was depthless.

With a nod from him, Aislinn raised her hands, drawing the attention of the gathered crowd.

"My good people," she said, her voice carrying to the rafters, "the day is ours!"

A loud cheer went up, shaking the very stones of the castle.

"Today may have been the darkest the Darrowlands has seen since the wars of succession, but it was also our finest. We showed the kingdom that this is not a land to be bullied or threatened. You have defended Dundúran, you have defended me, and I won't forget your sacrifice. Thank you. Thank all of you."

If it was possible, the cheering and clapping grew louder, into a din even the gods must hear. The giddy relief emanated from everyone gathered there in the hall, and it was a balm to Aislinn's heart. Her people had weathered much in her name, and she would keep her word. She'd never forget what they sacrificed for her nor what it meant to be their liege lord.

Waving, Aislinn stepped off the dais and into the waiting arms of her halfling.

More cheers went up when Hakon pressed a kiss to her hair.

"To Lady Aislinn!" they cried.

"To Lord Hakon!"

"Long may she reign!"

"Liege Darrow! Long may she reign!"

Aislinn's cheeks hurt from smiling so wide. "Tonight we celebrate!" she announced, earning another resounding round of cheers.

Slipping his arm around her waist, Hakon led her to the side of the hall, and together they accepted well-wishes. Mayor Doherty came with several of his many grandchildren, patting her hand and then Hakon's. Captain Aodhan and Hugh, arm-in-arm and both a little too deep in their cups to care that everyone saw them together when they'd been keeping their affair secret for years, clapped Hakon's arms. Sorcha kissed their cheeks, and Orek bowed over their hands. Connor bowed before them, Baron Morraugh said a word to either of them, and Baron Burgoyne laughed and told a joke while his wine sloshed over the rim of his cup.

It was Allarion they saw last, the fae seeming to materialize from the crowd itself to stand before them. His cloak had been thrown back over his shoulders, revealing intricately engraved armor the color of midnight. He bowed low, his face as merry as Aislinn had ever seen it—which was to say, the smallest smile graced his lips and his brows weren't so low over his eyes.

"My lady, my lord," he said. "Good tidings come with your victory."

"It's the first and last battle I ever hope to see," said Aislinn.

"Indeed. Then you are already a finer ruler than most. It shall be a relief to make my home in a place governed by laws and compassion rather than bloodlust."

He smiled enigmatically, as if he knew he only piqued Aislinn's curiosity. So little was known about the fae court in Fallorian, and Allarion's presence here in Dundúran only raised more questions.

Even more strangely, Allarion turned to Hakon and said, "You will remember your promise."

"Yes," said Hakon, his demeanor grave.

Satisfied, Allarion bowed once more and disappeared back into the crowd as eerily as he'd arrived.

Aislinn turned to her halfling. "What did you promise?"

"Nothing. Yet." Hakon pulled a face. "I promised him one promise for his help today."

"Hm. He told me he would fight, as a vassal of the Darrowlands, no promise necessary."

"Well, then. A fae living up to their kind's reputation for cleverness." He pulled her deeper into his side, leaning down to say quietly, "Don't worry yourself over it. Whatever he asks, I'm sure it won't be nefarious."

She made a noncommittal noise. "Well, you may have promised him, but I didn't. We'll allow him leave within the law."

Hakon grinned. "Just so, my lady."

Aislinn smiled fondly back, her eyes roving the dear lines and shapes of him. Fates, she'd never tire of looking at him. The exhaustion of the day was clear in the lines across his face, but he stood tall, his shoulders back, and wouldn't stray from her side. She would have to get him another gold hoop or two for his ears. If they were for accomplishments, he'd certainly earned them.

His hand came to cover hers on his arm, and when she looked into his eyes, she realized that he'd mistaken her silence for something dire.

Something had clung to him all afternoon, and she sensed it was finally ready to be divulged. She watched as his throat bobbed, and she waited patiently as he quietly found his words.

"Did I frighten you today?"

Aislinn laid her head against his arm. "Yes."

He stiffened beneath her cheek, and she hurried to explain. "I didn't know you could be lost to the berserker rage. I've never seen anything like it."

"I didn't know I was capable of it," he admitted. "But I saw you go down and…"

"You were incredible. They're already telling stories about you." It was early yet, but already the people of Dundúran looked differently upon Hakon. He'd defended her ferociously, and they had taken note. He'd proven himself to them in some way, and Aislinn swelled with pride to see them coming to understand what she already knew.

"It was…necessary."

"I know." Squeezing his hand, she said, "I'm sorry you were put in that position at all. I was so scared, and you saved me. I'm glad of it. But to see you not yourself…" Her breath went wobbly in her chest. "I worried I might lose you to it."

"I felt lost. For a time. But even then, I knew I was yours. That I had to protect you."

She smiled sadly. "Let's not do it again, though. All right?"

"I can't promise that. I'll protect you to my last breath, vinya. "

"I know, my darling. I know. But before that last breath, I want us to live a very long, very happy life."

That eased most of the tension from his face, and he finally smiled for her again. "Anything for you, mate."

"Good. Now, let's extricate ourselves and go to bed. I want you to hold me."

A saucy purr burst from his chest, sending her laughing as they made their farewells. It took some time and delicate diplomacy to make their escape from the great hall. Even corridors of the castle burst with merriment, and they were stopped every few paces by someone else.

It was slow progress back to their apartments, but as they neared the residential wing, revelers began to dwindle. Except…

Aislinn's pace slowed as she listened and heard…singing.

She shared a curious look with Hakon.

Leading him back, they entered the otherwise empty east solar. Its tall windows on the far side glowed with light from the courtyard, drawing her toward them. The singing grew louder as they approached, and Hakon opened the glass door onto the balcony.

She stepped out into the night to the sound of thousands of voices singing.

The courtyard glowed as brightly as the day with hundreds of torches and a dozen bonfires, the city illuminated with a warm yellow glow. A crowd of thousands had gathered there, spilling out the castle walls into the city beyond. Windows had been thrown open despite the chill, and the smell of warm cider and roasting meat scented the air.

It took a moment, but the people nearest the balcony soon saw her. Cheers rang out, and people called her name.

Aislinn stepped further onto the balcony, pulling Hakon along with her. Filled with a delight so potent it almost hurt, she waved at the singing crowd, drawing more cheers.

Pulling her into his side, Hakon leaned down to kiss her hair. "They love you, Lady Darrow," he whispered against her temple, "but not nearly as much as I do."

Happy tears escaped her, and she laughed, her body unable to contain all her joy and relief.

As more in the crowd turned toward the balcony, the cheering grew in volume, until it felt and sounded as if the whole world shook with their voices.

Aislinn didn't know who began it, but she recognized the first lines of an old Darrowlands ballad, one even older than Eirea as a united country. It was their song, an anthem just for them. Of their rolling heartland and fertile forests and winding rivers. Of how their people never knelt nor broke.

She sang with her people, loudly and off-key and with her whole body. Her lungs ached and her spirit sang along.

Tonight, the Darrowlands came together in celebration.

Tonight, Aislinn felt a happiness wider and deeper than she ever had before. One born of hope and prospect and dreams.

Tonight, her people were safe, her mate was beside her, and she was free.