The Bloody Quarrel (The Complete Edition) Read Online Free PDF

How could he have been so stupid? How could he not see that was Cavan down there? Why did he trust the King? There were so many moments when he could have changed things, so many bad decisions he had made. If he had only seen what was happening, he could have sent his bolt through King Aidan and now Cavan would be King. All would be right with the world. Instead he had plunged them into chaos and darkness.
    “You can do it, Dad, I know you can. You can do anything,” Kerrin said.
    That was the last straw.
    The tears came. He cried for himself and his family, for Cavan and for Gaelland. He cried for the mistake he had made, for his foolishness, his arrogance, and because he hated himself almost as much as he hated Aidan.
    “I am sorry, son,” he said thickly. “I have let you down. I’m not worthy of you.”
    “Don’t say that, Dad!” Kerrin begged, and Fallon saw his son’s eyes fill with tears.
    “It is true,” he insisted. “Before this, when Mam was in charge of you, I didn’t see you properly. There were many times I wished you were stronger or faster, or that your mam would let me do something to change you. Yet you did not kill your friend, the Crown Prince and the hope of this country. I am sorry, son. I let us all down, and it is my fault if we don’t get mam back. You would have done better with another dad.”
    “No!” Kerrin cried, the tears streaming down his face now too. “You are the best dad and the only one I want. And we will get Mam back. We will! You made a mistake but you were tricked. You tell me all the time not to give up after one mistake. You can’t give up. You can’t!”
    Fallon hugged his son close.
    “Don’t give up on me and Mam. We need you,” Kerrin whispered. “And once you get her back, everything will be all right again.”
    Fallon feared that was no longer true. That nothing could be put right or go back to the way it used to be. But he closed his eyes and tried to find some sleep.
    *
    Cavan stood there with the crossbow quarrel jutting out of his chest, dripping blood.
    “I am sorry! It was me. I was the bastard who killed you and I deserve to die. Let me go in your place – take me instead!” Fallon pleaded. The anguish filled him, poisoning him.
    Cavan said nothing, just turned away with a sad look on his face.
    “I will avenge you. I will. And I don’t care what it costs! I will die to bring you peace!” The words seemed to release something inside and the anguish drained away.
    Cavan disappeared from view and Fallon awoke with a start. His heart was pounding but he felt more at peace. The answer was obvious. He had to kill Swane and Aidan. And if it cost him his life, then it was no more than he deserved. With them dead, the others would be free to sail for Kotterman. Padraig would watch over Kerrin until they had Bridgit and all would be well. He closed his eyes again. He would see Cavan and beg his forgiveness, then take whatever punishment he deserved.

CHAPTER 4
    “I think I’m pregnant,” Bridgit said softly.
    “Very funny, Bridge! We can always rely on you to say something to give us a laugh at the end of the day.” Riona smiled. “I never knew you had it in you. You’ll be giving Dev a run for his money before long!”
    Nola chuckled too but Bridgit did not smile and, slowly, the grins faded off her friends’ faces.
    “What, you are serious?” Nola gasped.
    “I am. But I wish I wasn’t,” Bridgit said, her voice barely a whisper. The fear had been growing within her, to the point where she had to say something. But saying it did not make it go away.
    “Why do you think you are pregnant?” Riona hissed.
    “Well, unless the moon has changed since we came here, I’m late. And I’m never late unless I’m pregnant,” Bridgit said simply. “My appetite has gone as well and I cannot abide the sight nor smell of meat. That always happens too.”
    “You don’t know that. You’ve never been in Kotterman before. This is not normal. We