mouth thinned again and her mobile nostrils flared out like little white wings "Ye said all ye wanted was to stay somewhere where ye and Bronwen can be safe," she went on before Maya gave in to the temptation to turn her into something small and slimy, as she so clearly wished to "I gave ye that sanctuary Why ye wish to leave it? Ye ken ye and Bronwen will both be in grave danger if ye return to Rionnagan." The Fairge said nothing, though the little girl said rather fretfully, "Wha' ye mean? Why are ye fraitchin'?" Isabeau smiled at her and stroked the wet hair away from her cheek without replying Maya scowled and said, "Bronwen is the rightful banrigh! Jaspar named her heir." "Only because he did no' believe Lachlan was truly his brother," Isabeau replied swiftly "And ye ken the Lodestar chose Lachlan It knew Eileanan needed a strong Righ and warrior The land is already in chaos, Maya The people no' need more doubt and confusion in their hearts and ye ken Bronwen is too young to rule." "She is the rightful heir," Maya said obstinately "Admit that ye wish to be banrigh again and have everyone adoring ye and obeying your every command," Isabeau said tartly "If ye canna be banrigh, regent is close enough, is that no' so? Well, I will no' let ye sacrifice my sister or the Coven or the people to your selfish ambitions Ye canna take Bronwen away." "I dinna want to go 'way," Bronwen said, suddenly beginning to cry "Wanna stay wi' Is'beau Wanna stay." "It's all right, my lassie, ye no' have to go anywhere ye no' wish to go," Isabeau said, drawing her close and looking Maya defiantly in the eye She could only hope that Maya would not want to upset her daughter and change Isabeau into a toad before her very eyes Seeing the Fairge gather in her will, she tensed, ready to throw up her defenses or to try and dive behind the rocks, futile though both actions would probably be Bronwen was clinging close, though, and Maya hesitated then relaxed, unable to risk losing her daughter's tenuous affection After a moment she said softly, "Will ye give me my daughter and let us leave if I remove the curse from Lachlan?" Isabeau stiffened all over "Ye cursed Lachlan? That is why he sleeps so? How?" Maya said, "Will ye give me Bronwen and no' follow us or try to stop me? Will ye let us go and no' follow?" Isabeau shook her head, resisting the urge to let her will be submerged beneath Maya's "No! No, I canna! Meghan would never forgive me." 'Ye mean she'd rather have Lachlan lying more dead than alive?" Maya said silkily "What about your sister? He's no' much good to her like that." Isabeau's emotions were in a tumult She clung to the little girl, saying, "Nay! Ye canna take Bronny away from me!" "She's no' your daughter!" Maya snapped "She's mine! Ye wonder why I no' want to stay with ye when ye act like ye're her mother and I'm some kind o' interloper How can she come to love me with ye always snatching her away from me?"