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"It isn't rage that fuels your ríastrad?"

Aife huffed. "Of course not. The ríastrad feeds off of whatever emotion you give to it. Mine feeds off of desire... and pleasure. The pleasure we experience together... and the pleasure of slaying a man in battle."

"That explains a lot."

"Not like you've had anything to complain about."

"What about Scáthach? She won't allow this. If two of the warriors under her tutelage attack Ulster it will start a war!"

"We don't need to attack Ulster. Just this Forgall fellow."

"But he's a citizen of Ulster."

"And from what I've been able to ascertain, he has a fortress of his own within the kingdom."

Cú Chulainn bit his lip. "How did you know about that?"

Aife shrugged. "You said you're worried about Scáthach? Well, this has been Scáthach's plan ever since she learned of you, and she learned of your betrothal. This is how she intends to make of you the warrior you came asking her to train you to become."

"I don't know. I mean, if I kill Forgall... I couldn't do that to Emer."

Aife shook her head. "She isn't going to be yours either way. Do nothing and she marries the king of Munster. But kill Forgall... and you can finally have your vengeance. At leastyoucan be free."

"Maybe," Cú Chulainn said. "But won't that just leave me with guilt?"

Aife pushed Cú Chulainn back on the bed and straddled him. "Please... he has it coming. It was he who betrayed you. Only a man of weak fortitude would feel guilty over something like that."

"I'm not weak."

"Then prove it," Aife said before pressing her lips against his.