The Sword and the Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

possible with a series of small-scale battles like these.”
    Aine craned her neck, even though it didn’t help her decipher the foreign script. “How did they do it?”
    “Massive casualties and dramatic sacrifices. And they didn’t even have magic with which to contend.”
    Aine heard the despair in his voice and wrapped her arms around him. “Trust Comdiu will find a way.”
    “Aye, Comdiu will find a way. But Comdiu’s way doesn’t always guarantee survival for the largest number.”
    “And you think you can do better?”
    He chuckled. “No. I just mean that knowing we will prevail in the end doesn’t mean we won’t do it with some terrible costs. It’s my responsibility to minimize those.”
    She looked back at the book, with its geometric writing that looked so much like a child’s scrawling, marveling again that he could make anything of it, let alone translate what he learned into something useful for their situation now. “Did you ever think you would be here? Ceannaire of Ard Dhaimhin, responsible for the survival of an entire city?”
    “No.” This laugh lacked any trace of humor. “I most certainly did not.”
    “When we met, what did you want most?”
    He cocked his head. “You’re in an introspective mood tonight.”
    “I suppose I am.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips and trailed kisses along her palm to the inside of her wrist. “I wanted a quiet life, filled with music and study and books. And I wanted you most of all.”
    She met his eyes, those beautiful eyes that never seemed to lose their intensity no matter how much he changed, and saw the truth. He would make a great king, a just king. He already made an admirable commander. And yet all he really wanted was a quiet life with her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his temple, just enjoying his nearness for a long moment.
    “I have something to tell you,” she whispered.
    His expression turned alarmed. “Is something wrong?”
    “No. Nothing’s wrong. In fact, I’m surprised you haven’t noticed.” She took his hand and placed it on the slight swell of her abdomen.
    His eyes widened. “It’s true? You’re . . . we’re . . . having a child?”
    She nodded, her heart thudding in her throat. She’d suspected for months, but only now, feeling the first flutter of movement in her womb, was she convinced she wasn’t simply imagining things.
    Conor’s expression remained frozen in disbelief. She drew an unsteady breath. “You’re not happy?”
    A smile broke over his face and he kissed her fiercely. “Of course I’m happy. Just surprised. When? How long?”
    “By my calculations, I’m about four months along.”
    “But that means . . . when we left Seare?”
    “I suspected while I was in Aron, but now I’m sure. You’re going to be a father.”
    His expression turned to one of wonder, and he returned his hand to her abdomen. “Will I be able to feel it move soon?”
    She nodded.
    Then he was kissing her again, leaving no doubt as to his feelings on the topic. She eased against him, her arms returning to his neck, losing herself in the few stolen moments they had found together in the necessities of Ard Dhaimhin.
    “I love you, Aine,” he whispered. “When this is all over, I promise I will give you that simple, happy life. No matter what I have to do to get it.”
    She understood then what he wouldn’t say. He might be struggling for their survival, for the well-being of the future of Ard Dhaimhin and the endurance of their way of life, but deep down, he was fighting for their future together. She kissed him one more time, a long, languorous kiss meant to change hismind about his evening’s activities, but before she could get very far on her plan, the door to the Ceannaire’s office banged open. Aine practically leapt off Conor’s lap, her cheeks burning.
    Daigh’s eyes flicked between them, the slight tightening of his mouth communicating disapproval. When he finally focused on