Free Morrighan by Mary E. Pearson

paddock, I saw others loading up horses with more goods.
    â€œFergus wants your help with the supplies down in the lodge,” Laurida told me. When I got there, he was alone, putting the supplies into stacks.
    â€œWhere are Harik and his men?” I asked.
    â€œGone.” Fergus didn’t look up, still consumed with the goods, his eyes heavy from little sleep.
    I looked at the supplies. They were all still there. “Harik didn’t take his share?”
    â€œHis gift to us. I think he was reluctant to part without any, but the girl was enough. He thanked us for finding her.”
    I was groggy from lack of sleep and thought I had missed something. “What do you mean, the girl was enough ?”
    â€œHe thinks she has the knowing, like her grandmother. He went to get her before he crosses the bridge.”
    â€œHe’s taking her? Now?”
    â€œIt’s his right. She’s—”
    â€œNo!” I shook my head, turning in all directions trying to focus. Think, Jafir. “No. He can’t—”
    â€œStop yapping like a wounded coyote!” Fergus snapped.
    I whirled back to face him. “How long ago did he leave?”
    â€œAn hour ago. Maybe more.” He stared at the stolen goods and began to tell me how he would parse them out among the horses. “Along with our own supplies, there will be enough to—”
    I grabbed a large sack of grain, pulling it from a stack. “I need this!” He moved to stop me, and I shoved him away. “I’m taking it. Stay back!”
    His eyes filled with disbelief, then rage. I had never challenged him before. He lunged at me, and I swung, connecting with his jaw and knocking him to the ground. He lay there stunned by the blow. I grabbed the sack of grain and ran to my horse without looking back.

Chapter Nineteen
    Morrighan
    â€œYou are all teeth and elbows! Stop fighting me, or I’ll drag you by a rope behind us!” Harik’s hand clamped around my arm, and my breath caught with pain. I nodded so he would stop. I had already pleaded, begged, and cried out for Ama, who had struggled to follow us. She was far behind me now. Nothing would sway him.
    I rode on his horse in front of him, and two men almost as big as Harik rode on either side of us, with two more riding behind. Harik’s chest was a massive wall at my back, and his arms curved around me to hold the reins, imprisoning me like a giant shackle. Sobs still caught at my throat.
    â€œAnd stop that noise!” he ordered. “I am your father!”
    â€œYou are no father of mine,” I seethed. “You are nothing!”
    â€œThe old woman has poisoned you against me.”
    â€œNo poison was required. You’ve earned my hatred all on your own.”
    â€œMorrighan,” he said, not to me, but to the air. He grumbled a low sigh, as if the name brought him grief. “She chose that name long before you were even born. I cared for your mother.”
    I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn’t want to hear about my mother from him. I spat to the side, wishing I could turn and hit his face instead. “You cared so much that you stole my aunt too?”
    â€œI stole neither. Venda came on her own, and your mother never left the tribe. She met with me secretly. Neither of us knew her heart was too weak to bear a child.”
    â€œI don’t want to hear any more,” I said.
    â€œShut out the truth if you wish, but you must face the fact—”
    â€œThe truth?” I yelled. “The truth is you tricked my mother! You deceived her! Just as you deceived Venda!”
    I felt his bulky chest rise against my back in a deep angry breath. “That is Gaudrel’s truth. Mine is another. Be silent now, girl. I’m weary of your chatter. You’ll contribute to my household from this day forward. That is all you need to know.”
    One of his men snorted as if Harik had already allowed me to speak too