Death Blow by Jianne Carlo Page A

tent pole. “Feed us, while I tell you more of Mús’s tale.”
    “I did not believe any other than me could speak with Mús. Have the others seen him?”
    “Nay. He wants none to know of his presence or his relationship to you. He bid me refer to him only as Mús or cat. And though he told me much on our journey here, he would not answer all my questions.”
    She shrugged. “Mús has always been one to guard his secrets. He was fostered with Da’s brother and we saw him little over the years. When I sent a messenger to tell him Da and Mama had vanished, he came with Godspeed to Castle Caerleah. But Ánáton had already claimed Da’s high seat.”
    “Mús arrived without escort?”
    She unwrapped the towels covering the food and picked up one of the eating knives next to two large plates. “Aye. He said his men would follow. But on the same day he arrived, so did King Kenneth’s messenger with orders for me to set out immediately to the sirens. We left the following morn. What did Mús tell you?”
    “Four seasons ago, Aegir learned of Rán’s tryst with your Da and of your birth.”
    She popped a chunk of venison into his mouth and studied him while he chewed. “A little o’er two seasons ago, my Da and Mama vanished on their way home from King Kenneth’s court.”
    “Four seasons ago, the birthmark you inherited from Rán appeared on your breast.” Konáll pushed the fabric away and traced the tiny serpent on the underside of her mound.
    She flinched. “’Tis not part of the curse?”
    “Nay. One who fostered at your keep knew of the mark.”
    “I do not understand, Konáll. How could any know of it, if I had ne’er seen it afore four seasons ago?” She stabbed a piece of meat and offered it to him.
    “Nay. Your turn.” He guided the knife to her mouth. “All females born of Rán bear the mark. Rán knew Aegir would be enraged and vengeful if he knew of you, so she cast a spell to make the mark invisible to all mortals. Eldar the Learned, who fostered with your Da, was born of an elfish mother. He saw the mark.”
    “None of this makes sense.” She carved another slice and wiggled it in a puddle of thick gravy. “But I do recall Eldar. Albeit he was called Eldar the Eager when he fostered here. He taught me how to swim.”
    “He spoke of you being more fish than girl in the water.” He flashed her a grin. “Did you not wonder how I knew of the mark?”
    “All know of it now. After Da and Mama vanished, King Kenneth made Ánáton and Maura, my aunt and uncle, my new guardians. Maura discovered the serpent. She told Ánáton of it, and he and the new priest decided ’twas the mark of Satan.” Her voice wavered.
    He covered her hand with his. “Look to me, wife. ’Tis enticing, your erotic snake. And proves your half-immortal lineage. I am proud of it. And so should you be.”
    She shook her head. “I want only to be like other females. Instead I am tall and ungainly and bear a serpent on my breast.”
    “Nay. You are slender and delicate and mine. I would have no other. Will have no other.” He brushed his lips to her temple. “Tell me of your uncle and aunt.”
    “They would have allowed the priest to burn me at the stake. Instead they waved a joyful farewell when Mús and I left for the sirens.” She sliced a chunk of meat, cupped her hand under the dripping venison, and brought the morsel to his mouth.
    He slurped the succulent chunk, chewed, and examined her strained expression. “Eldar the Learned’s holding is located in the same fjord as my brother’s. Four seasons ago, when King Harald and King Kenneth arranged our marriage, I spoke with him about you. ’Twas when he told me of the mark.”
    She dropped the knife and held his gaze. “Two seasons ago, when Ciárrán and I journeyed to the sirens, a Saracen captain invaded our ship and took me prisoner. He intended to sell me at the slave markets in Miklagard. A storm arose, the ship capsized, and I washed ashore on the