Free Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) by Melissa Sasina Page A

reunion with Mahon .
    “Cousin. ”
    Daire ’s voice was much closer now, his breath warming her ear .
    A startled cry escaped Shiovra ’s lips and she nearly went tumbling from the branch she had chosen to perch upon. She reached for the closest thing at hand to steady herself, which happened to be, most unfortunately, Daire ’s tunic.
    Daire , clearly not expecting th e response he had just received, reflexively clung to the trunk of the tree .
    They sat unmoving for several moments, each trying to calm the beating of their heart.
    Shiovra took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm. “Don’t startle me like that, Daire!” she scolded, when she deemed she was composed enough to release him.
    “I was the one startled!” he shot back , straightening his tunic . He exhaled and shook his head. “Did you not hear me when I said I was coming up? ”
    She looked away. “No…”
    Daire was quiet a moment, then asked, “What troubles you?”
    “Mahon…” she whispered before meeting his eyes. “I fear he will not be happy to see me. ”
    Daire offered her a gentle smile. “Perhaps at first,” he began. “He has had ten years to be a ngry that you chose to leave and train to be High Priestess. But, just as the seasons come to pass, so shall his anger.” In a childish gesture, he reached his hand over to poke her lightly on the nose. “You may be the High Priestess of Tara, charged with the duty of protecting this village and her people, but you will always be his sister. ”
    She couldn’t help but smile in turn.
    Daire chuckled lightly and turned his attention to Tara. “Home.”
    Shiovra nodded and sighed . “Even after all this time, it feels as if I have never le ft. To me, not matter where I am, Tara will always be my home ,” she said.
    “It will not be quite the same, cousin,” replied Daire . “You are no long just sister to Mahon and kin to Ainmire. You are the Túath H igh Priestess of Tara , and so shall you be known for the rest of your life .” He reached a hand out and gently touch ed her arm , fingers lingering on the twisting and curling pattern marking her skin.
    Shiovra looked down at his hand, following the path her fingers took as they grazed the pattern of her markings.
    “Marked…t o be forever known not only by all the Túath clan , but by the Neimidh, Fir Bolg, Fomorii and…even the Mil idh, for the rest of your life… ” Daire moved his hand to her chin, tilting her face up to look him in the eyes . “ Was this the right choice ?”
    Shiovra could see a touch of regret in her cousin’s eyes. She was unsure whether he felt so over her choice of becoming the High Priestess, or the mere fact that soon she would be known and hunted by many. To feel regret was not an option in her eyes. Though she was but a child when she made the choice to train for High Priestess, she would never take back that decision. And when prompted if she had made the right choice, the answer was quite simply , “ Yes . ”
    A sad s mile crossed Daire ’s lips . “Come, let us continue o n to Tara.” He pulled away from her . “Mahon will be happy to see you.”
    Shiovra watched as he began to climb down the tree. She knew that Mahon had not been the only one she hurt that day ten years ago when she left with Réa lta. It was written clearly across Daire ’s face and weighed heavily in his voice . And though she could not change the past, s he could try and ensure a less p ainful future for those around her .
    Climbing down the tree, she followed Daire quietly down a well worn path towards the village .
    The walls of the fort rose high above their heads, and the wooden ga teways stood wide open , welcoming them . They gained attention quickly as they made their way through the village , many of the villagers pausing in their work to watch as Shiovra and Daire passed by.
    Shiovra met each curious gaze with a soft smile and nod. It was an odd feeling for the priestess. There were many faces she did