Free Dreamer's Daughter by Lynn Kurland

“I daresay it was a bit of a shock for her to find you alive, then yet another to find you in love with someone else.”
    â€œI don’t think Annastashia ever loved me,” Rùnach said wryly. “The idea of me, perhaps, but no more.”
    â€œYou give yourself too little credit,” Soilléir said, “though perhaps more credit to my cousin than she deserves.” He toyed with his wineglass. “She’ll move on, I daresay. And it isn’t as if you’re planning on taking up residence here where you might torment her.”
    Rùnach sighed deeply. “Nay, I’m not.” He looked at Soilléir frankly. “I think we should leave soon.”
    â€œTomorrow, I imagine. The world sleeps uneasily.”
    â€œNay, Léir, that’s
you
sleeping uneasily and that was this afternoon.”
    Soilléir shifted. “I’m not sure I’m equal to thinking overlong on what happened this afternoon.” He shook his head. “What that woman can do . . . well, she surprises even me and I’m very rarely surprised.”
    â€œThe only thing that surprises me is that I have the arrogance to think I can aid her,” Rùnach said. “Me, with magic that’s not only unwieldy but not exactly what I would have it be. This task would be better suited to someone with more power.”
    â€œOfttimes, great ones aren’t called; simple souls are called to greatness,” Soilléir said with a smile. “But I wouldn’t say you are a simple soul, my friend.”
    Rùnach studied the fire burning in one of the hearths, then looked at the man who had, he could freely admit, saved his life. “How do I thank you?”
    â€œFor what?” Soilléir asked mildly. “My collection of spells that could undo the world and everything in it, or putting you in the path of a woman who could unravel the same?”
    Rùnach smiled. “Did you?”
    â€œMight have.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Soilléir shrugged. “Because I know her great-grandmother.”
    Rùnach realized his mouth had fallen open. “What?”
    â€œWhat I just said.”
    â€œYou can’t simply drop that tidbit into a conversation without giving me the details of it.”
    â€œCan’t I?”
    Rùnach laughed a little in spite of himself. “Léir, who
don’t
you know?”
    â€œA woman daft enough to wed me,” Soilléir said solemnly. “And no decent matchmakers either.”
    â€œNo great loves during the centuries before I was born?”
    â€œI never said that.”
    Rùnach wasn’t sure he even dared speculate, so he settled for holding up his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me for aid, though I appreciate the matchmaking you’ve apparently done for me.” He looked around himself to see who, if anyone, was listening. Astar was still monopolizing Aisling. Anna was definitely not eavesdropping; she was likely in the kitchens looking over a selection of carving knives for purposes he didn’t want to think on. He shifted to look at Soilléir. “I can’t imagine you don’t have thoughts about what lies before us.”
    â€œI have thoughts,” Soilléir conceded, “but they’re not ones I would be comfortable sharing here. Let’s collect your lady and repair to the library. I can vouch for the privacy there.”
    Rùnach nodded, then rose and walked behind the table until he stood behind Aisling’s chair. He looked at Annastashia’s brother.
    â€œDo you mind if I abscond with my lady?” he asked politely.
    Astar smiled faintly. “If you must.”
    Rùnach pulled Aisling’s chair out for her, then took her hand. He nodded to Astar, then led Aisling from the great hall.
    â€œSoilléir is willing to have a conference with us,” he said quietly. “I thought we’d best take advantage of it whilst