Children of the Moon 04 - Dragon's Moon

happening again.”
    “Die, for the likes of me?” her father scoffed. “That would be a fine day, indeed, would it not? When a wolf would die to protect a bird.”
    “Do you doubt my desire to protect you and all of my people?” the prince demanded, a flicker of vulnerability quickly gone from his amber eyes.
    “Nay. My prince, you love us as your father did beforeyou. But this? This risk you would take with all our safety, it is foolishness.”
    Suddenly Anya Gra was standing right in front of Una’s father, her expression livid, no desire for conciliation in evidence at all. “Fionn, son of Micael, You dare call me foolish?”
    Oh, the woman was beyond angry. Even more furious than Una’s father had a wont to get.
    “Nay, Priestess. Your wisdom has guided our people for many long years.”
    “Then, it is my visions you doubt,” the celi di accused with no less fury in her tone.
    Una’s father shook his head vigorously. “Your visions have always been right and true.”
    “Then you, and all those who stand before me today,” she said, including everyone at the feast with her sharp raven’s stare. “All of my people will give these wolves a chance to prove that not every Faol would murder us in our sleep.”
    “And if you are wrong? If they turn on us?” her father dared to question.
    Una’s respect for her parent grew. It took great strength to stand up to Anya Gra, spiritual leader and one of the oldest among them.
    “Then I will cast my fire and destroy their clans without mercy,” the prince promised in a tone no one, even her stalwart father, could deny.
    Her father nodded, though he looked no happier at the assurance. “Aye, that’s the right of it then.”
    Prince Eirik let his gaze encompass the whole of their community, his expression one of unequivocal certainty. “I will always protect my people to the best of my ability. Welcoming these honorable men is part of that.”
    Una noted how he continued to push forth the message that these wolves were good men, trustworthy and honorable .
    He was her prince and she should believe him.
    But she couldn’t.