Chapter Seventy-Seven - Duped

Xander hadn’t sued for peace so much as cheated in its name. He would do the same again, twice over, if it meant avoiding war. His betrothed had been taken aback by his tactics but he couldn’t afford to let her in on it; her surprise would go a long way to convincing this new enemy whose ego was legendary.

Maybe some flowers would mollify her. He had treated her like a pawn and she was still sulking.

Encountering his sister in the corridor he enlisted her help.

Genevieve’s eyes danced with amusement.

“Just be yourself. Spend some time with her. It’s all a girl ever wants. Gifts only make us think you want to atone.”

But I do, he thought. For the way it all began.

The Danes were preparing to depart, while Finn was now in charge of his brother’s forces.

“Stay awhile,” he’d encouraged both the group of Norsemen and those loyal to a different Mac Neill.

“Tell him,” Ava urged, nudging Connor’s brother.

She was seldom far from his side these days.

“We’d like to settle here permanently,” he