Breanna’s mouth fell open. “Why would they be afraid of me?”

Keely gave her a look that was both childlike and wise. “You were going to shoot them.”

Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, she shrugged. “Yes. Well.”

“And you made that Lightbringer man go away, and he’s very powerful. So they don’t want you mad at them.”

She wasn’t sure she liked being feared. After all, she’d only done and said those things to protect her home and family. And while the information was certainly useful, she was going to have to talk to Nuala about Keely’s sudden habit of listening to conversations Breanna doubted she was meant to hear.

“Is Mother sick?” Keely asked abruptly.

Tension slammed into Breanna, tightening muscles until she had to work to breathe. “Why do you think that?”

“She gets tired so much. She never used to get tired until nighttime.”

The tension turned cold, shivered through muscles. She’d noticed the same thing, and Liam’s reassurance that Nuala’s fatigue was a reasonable reaction to the strain had dulled the worry but hadn’t relieved it. Her grandmother had been her emotional anchor, had provided the practical wisdom that had taught her how to be a witch and a woman. Was Nuala ill and hiding it? Or was it simply a need for more rest to deal with the turmoil? Had Elinore noticed anything?

Gran would deny whatever she didn’t want to reveal, but Elinore…Surely Elinore would tell her if there was anything to tell. And Gran was more likely to confide in Elinore, who was only a generation younger and a mother herself. Yes, she needed to talk with Elinore at the first opportunity. And she’d keep a sharper eye on Jean. Fiona would help her with that.

“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with Gran that a good rest won’t cure,” Breanna told Keely with an assurance she didn’t feel.

Keely nodded. “I’d better check on my helpers.” She narrowed her eyes and stared past Breanna’s shoulder. “Liam’s coming.”

Turning, Breanna watched Liam, Donovan, Gwenn, and Varden striding toward the kitchen garden. Not wanting to waste time walking to one of the gates, she swung herself over the garden wall and hurried to meet them.

Gwenn looked pale. The three men looked grim.

“What is it?” she asked as soon as they met.

“It’s begun,” Donovan said. “Thanks to Varden’s assistance, we’re hearing about it sooner than we would have otherwise.”

“What?” Breanna demanded, her heart now thumping against her chest.

Liam took her hand. “The barons of Arktos have crossed the border with an army. They’ve joined up with some of Sylvalan’s eastern barons.” His fingers tightened around hers. “They’re fighting in the north.”

Breanna tightened her own hold on his hand, finding comfort in his strength.

Do no harm.