Tears of the Wolf

Revenge was for those with power and patience. Brynn had long ago recognized she did not have enough of either.

You owe nothing to the people who would enslave you.

My wife may be in a merciful mood, but I am not.

Marriage was the second fastest way to get rid of a woman, and the king was quite eager to get rid of Brynn. At least, that was the way it felt. Perhaps she should be grateful her uncle was making this simple.

You think because I choose kindness, I am incapable of cruelty.

Never do with force what you can do with charm

A third, more confusing part of her, squalled in protest every time his kissed ended. That third part demanded to know if he would make love the way he kissed—like she was fire, and he desperately wished to burn.

Every decision we make is one between safety and freedom, in one way or another.” Brynn blinked quickly. “I traded the latter for the former far too quickly last time. In the end, it was for nothing.

Brynn pulled in more power. There had to be a limit to this device. There were limits to everything. Nothing was truly infinite.

But you make everything better. You are my fondest delight.

Songs and poems were written about those who wielded swords. Aelfwynn had also been a great healer and had helped dozens if not hundreds of people, but she was remembered for those she had killed. History sometimes seemed to be made of stone—the only way to make a mark on it was through violence. The irony was killing was frightfully easy.

The other women pretended not to listen, but Brynn caught their stares. She spotted Rowan among them, eyeing her with that narrow, suspicious stare. Brynn pitied Rowan. She truly did. She was starting to get an idea of just what Cenric put his women through.

Brynn did not seem frightened or even impressed by those words. He was beginning to realize she wasn’t easily impressed, but he enjoyed a challenge. Cenric shrugged. “From what you have told me, your mother is still going to hate me.” Brynn’s voice was hoarse, but firm when she said, “I hope so.” Cenric allowed himself a smile at that. He was already growing fond of his wife.

I want a life I chose,” Brynn finally confessed. “Not one that was chosen for me.

Brynn forced a smile back in gratitude. Perhaps she should feel triumph, or at least relief. But this was not a victory. This was the amputation of a gangrenous limb. Just because it was necessary did not make it pleasant.

Lady Brynn was beautiful, which was another thing that didn’t make sense.

Having the goddess of foretelling as his patron was much like having a Valdari mercenary as a cousin—less useful than most people assumed.

She fascinated him, this king’s daughter who had chosen to marry a stranger because it was the one choice she could make for herself.

He was beginning to realize she wasn’t easily impressed, but he enjoyed a challenge.

Her heart felt like a tangle of brambles, knotted and slicing her every time she tried to sort it out.

Don’t you…hate anyone?” Esa asked, almost hesitantly. ... “Why don’t you hate me?” she wept. “Why haven’t you punished me?” ... “But lady, there was nothing you could have done,” Esa protested, her voice small. ... “So can you forgive me for Aelfwynn?” “Of course,” Esa said, almost whimpering. “Then I forgive you for Osbeorn.” Esa burst into tears again, burying her face once more into Brynn’s shoulder. The puppy squirmed uncomfortably in her arms, whining, but Brynn held onto her and Esa while the girl wept. She could only hope Esa would be able to let go of the guilt. Out of everyone Brynn had ever tried to forgive, forgiving herself had always been the most difficult.

That was eerily like the defense he had prepared for himself. Hearing her speak it first was oddly disarming.

Fear—that was what they wanted, so she gave them the opposite. Instead of frightened servants and panicked stable boys—they found themselves facing her. Here was a woman at ease as if their spears, shields, and glares didn’t exist. When people didn’t see what they expected to see, it made them question things. If she wasn’t afraid, perhaps it was because she had no reason to be afraid.

One of the men laughed and then a few others, but they fell silent when Olfirth didn’t join them.

Here she had raced across the entire village to rescue him, only to find he had never been in danger. The fear, the desperation, and the blind terror of those few moments had all been for nothing.

Why couldn’t she just do what she was supposed to do? She had done it for years with Paega. Why couldn’t she just take it like she had before? _Because you thought this time would be different._