Free A Heart in Sun and Shadow (Cymru That Was Book 1) by Annie Bellet Page A

fitting that the selkie would give her such a gift. “I’ll make sure to use it well then,” she said seriously.
    “What is our rule, love?” Tesn smiled into her child’s hair.
    “Do no harm.” Áine said as she sank down sleepily in her foster mother’s arms. “Mother?”
    “Yes dearest?”
    “I think they should name him Moelrhon, after the seal.” Áine smiled and slipped into sleep.

Eight
     
     
    The rain had let up early that morning, but the ground shifted and soaked through Áine’s shoes, giving her the sensation of walking on a wet blanket. Tesn, leaning heavily on her walking staff, wore a blank expression broken only by tiny smiles everytime Áine glanced back. Though the season turned toward spring, the days were still short and darkness came before they’d reached the next village.
    Áine set about making a fire as best she could from the drier wood she found under the spreading oaks while Tesn rolled out an oiled cloth that would protect their bodies from the worst of the wet ground. The fire smoked and gave off little heat, barely enough to heat water for tea.
    The wisewoman and her young apprentice ate a cold dinner of hard bread and little cakes of fruit and fat. After Áine stoked the fire as best she could, they curled up together and fell into a fitful sleep.
    Áine woke abruptly from a dream of cobwebs and fire to the dim grey light of false dawn and a huge wolf stalking the edge of their camp. She jumped to her feet, scrabbling for her staff.
    The huge beast, gaunt with hunger and scarred from a hard life, growled deep. His jaws dripped foul-smelling foam and his body twitched, eyes rheumy and full of promised death.
    “Áine,” Tesn’s voice came from beside her ankle as the old woman rose very slowly to kneeling. “He’s sick, be careful. If we show him strength, he might leave.”
    Áine nodded, not taking her eyes from the wolf. The creature growled again and leapt straight for her. She swung the staff but it was caught by the wolf. He ripped it from her grasp, sending her tumbling sideways, almost into the smoldering fire.
    The wolf twisted with a snarl and darted for Tesn.
    Áine, with adolescent bravery, grabbed a smoking brand from the fire and threw herself between the charging wolf and her mother. The brand smashed into the wolf’s face with a sickening crunch. The huge creature screamed and thrashed away, disappearing into the dark woods.
    Áine half-crouched, shivering. It took her a moment to realize the pain in her hand and she released the charred branch with a tiny cry. Her skin was blackened and red from gripping the burning wood so tightly. Tesn’s cool fingers wrapped around her wrist, steadying her. She poured a little water over Áine’s hand.
    “You are lucky, love. Is but a slight burn. I think it likely you gave that wolf far worse, my brave, beautiful child.” The old woman shook her head.
    Áine took a couple deep breaths. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to sleep,” she said.
    Tesn chuckled. “I, also. It’s light enough. Walking off the tension will be good for us both, I think.”
    They arrived in a little village along the coast of Cantref Gowen near midday to find a wedding celebration in full swing. The wisewoman was greeted with much respect and kindness, though the chief and others looked at her young companion with the normal mix of curiosity and suspicion.
    Bowls full of savory goose and mushrooms, Áine and Tesn settled a little apart from the main group. Áine ate slowly, watching the newly married couple. Something within her stirred as she saw the husband lift little tidbits and feed them to his new wife. There was a mystery there, lingering between the two young people. Something Áine desperately wanted to touch, to understand. They looked both shy and content at the same time.
    Áine turned to Tesn. “Is it always so at weddings?”
    Tesn, seeing the young couple, smiled sadly. “No, love, not always. Marriage is