Outlaw Rising by Phoebe Conn

Author:Phoebe Conn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2015-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The boisterous revelry at Dodge's crowded tavern grew so unbridled that a riot would have gone unnoticed. Aidan's resounding defeat of not only a hated mole but also the conservative forces that had attempted to remove him from a position of power in the city was considered cause for celebration by every man who prided himself on being a warrior as well as most of those who trembled in fear each time it was their turn to take a shift at guard duty.

Just as Aidan had assured Kara, no mention was made of a charge of treason, nor did anyone show the open contempt for her they all still felt for Alado. His victory that morning had been so decisive it was unlikely anyone would challenge him for a good long while for any reason. That he had taken a wife, even such an extraordinary one, simply added to the exuberance of the merrymaking and provided an additional excuse to order round after round of ale so that everyone present could take a turn proposing a toast to the newlyweds.

Nearly everyone wished them a large and healthy family. It didn't strike Kara as unusual—but it embarrassed her all the same. Remembering Aidan's boast that she would have bright children made her realize there was another important subject they had not discussed.

While she was no stranger to wild parties and lively taverns, scouts were very fond of both, she still felt more like an imposter than ever as she sat beside Aidan in the popular bar's most spacious booth. Concealed by the badly scarred table top, his right hand lay on her left knee and her fingertips rested lightly on his whenever she felt him grow tense; she knew the sweetness of her touch would ease his pain. No one had guessed his injury was anything more serious than bruised knuckles, nor had anyone remarked on the fact that he used only his left hand to lift the tankards of pale golden ale Dodge kept sending over to their booth. She had been pleased to find their friendly host also stocked a generous supply of a lightly fragrant strawberry wine, but she had sipped no more than two goblets of it by late afternoon.

There were eight of them crowded into the semicircular enclosure, and while Kara had made an attempt to follow the teasing conversation at the table, she found herself lost within minutes of their arrival. Zac and Eric had each come alone, although the latter made his fondness for the barmaid so plain that the petite woman spent far more time at their table than at any of the others. As soon as Tory had been introduced, Kara realized she was the young woman whose charms had almost prevented her from reprogramming Sonia.

The vivacious girl was dressed in a pale blue knit sheath similar to hers, but the barmaid's was slit up the right side to expose the entire length of her shapely leg. Were she to adopt such a revealing style, Kara thought her tattoo would cause a sensation.

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