Seamus sat silently on the top of the settlement\u2019s wall, watching the sun rise in the east. He\u2019d left Leinth asleep in the bed they now shared when he\u2019d come out hours before, when everyone else except the sentries on watch were still asleep. Rory had given him a nod when he\u2019d passed the fire, asked if he\u2019d wanted a hot drink. Seamus had declined and sent him to bed.<\/p>\n
The Hunt was leaving today, and they were taking his daughter with them.<\/p>\n
I should feel guilty for that. Strange that I don\u2019t.<\/em> He wondered if the centuries he\u2019d spent riding with the Hunt had somehow left him changed, damaged. He saw the world differently now, he was sure of that much.<\/p>\n The camp on the field beyond the walls was waking. He could see William moving in the gray light of dawn, waking the cookfire for a hot breakfast before they rode out.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re wondering how many will stay,\u201d Sif said quietly. Seamus startled, blinking as she climbed up to perch on the wall beside him. He hadn\u2019t even heard her approach.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, no,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI was trying to sort out how different I am now than I was when my cousin and Leinth knew me and thinking that I should be feeling something more than relief that the Hunt is taking Thesan with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is what Albina made her,\u201d Sif said. \u201cYou have no fault in that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Seamus said. \u201cThat\u2019s probably why I\u2019m only relieved.\u201d He closed his eyes and sighed. \u201cI never loved her, Sif.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knew that, Seamus,\u201d Sif said quietly. \u201cYou tried to fake it, but we all knew. Leinth was the better match.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded, opening his eyes and staring out both sides of the wall, first the Hunt\u2019s camp and then the settlement. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m free, Sif.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey made the right choice,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d Seamus whispered. \u201cI truly hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Seamus sat silently on the top of the settlement\u2019s wall, watching the sun rise in the east. He\u2019d left Leinth asleep in the bed they now shared when he\u2019d come out hours before, when everyone else except the sentries on … Continue reading