Reid tossed the note onto the table and then raked his fingers through his hair. Was this what he’d signed up for when he’d joined Campbell? Intimidating peasants?
You knew exactly what you signed up for, he berated himself. And you didn’t give two shits what it entailed as long as you got your chance at revenge.
Aye, that was true enough. Three years it had been since he’d walked out of Dun Calas. Everything,everything, that had gone wrong in his life could be laid at the door of Clan Muir.
Ah, curse it! This was no good. He would not sleep this night. Pulling on his shirt, breeches and plaid, he paused only long enough to cinch on his belt with his dagger attached, then strode out of his chambers, took the stairs two at a time and entered the great hall.
The dogs, curled by the fire, came awake immediately and galloped over to him, tails wagging. He scratched their ears absently. The great hall was full of the sounds of men sleeping. The keep wasn’t big enough to house everyone—another headache he had yet to deal with—so some of the men slept in the hall, wheezing, farting and snoring.
Who had this hall once belonged to? Reid had no idea. It was just another fort that had changed hands many times over the years. Had a family once lived here? A lord, his wife and children? Had this hall once rung to the sounds of laughter and merriment? Reid couldn’t picture it. Now it was nothing but an austere place that had seen too much violence, and would likely see more before all this was finished.
For a second, he was hit with an almost overwhelming pang of loneliness. What would it be like to call this place home? To be able to mold it how he wanted? To be able to fill it with life and light and laughter once again? And even—God willing—a family?
But thiswasn’this home, he reminded himself, nor would it ever be. Home for Reid was wherever his lord sent him, wherever he laid his head for a few days, weeks or months. It would never be more than that and his foolish fancies would not change things.
Whistling to the dogs, he turned on his heel, strode from the hall, and out the main doors into the courtyard. It was a fine, clear night with a gibbous moon hanging in the sky above. The air had a bite to it and he could see his breath plume in front of his face. A perfect Highland night.
He strode across the courtyard and through the gates, the guards nodding respectfully as he passed them. He often went walking at night when he couldn’t sleep and they had learned not to bother him. Ahead, the dark landscape of the Highlands stretched out, beautiful and haunting at the same time. The river glinted off to his right, a silver ribbon in the darkness.
Memories walked with him, as they always did, and he picked up his pace. But no matter how quickly he walked, he could not outrun them. Edgar’s face swam into his mind’s eye. That look on his old mentor’s face was seared into Reid’s brain. Surprise. Disappointment. Disgust.
I heard the rumors ye’d joined Campbell, but I didnae believe them. Dear God, Reid, what are ye doing? How have ye fallen so low?
Yes,he answered his old mentor silently.I have fallen so low.
Calling the dogs to heel, Reid set off into the night.
***
WHAT WILL YE CHOOSEto do? Take a risk and have a chance at finding that which ye most desire? Or will ye stay on the path ye are walking?
Abi shook her head. “I don’t understand. Tell me what you mean. Tell me what’s happening to me!”
Irene smiled, dark eyes sparkling. She reached up and patted Abi’s cheek. “Ye will figure it out, my dear. Have faith in yerself and have faith in the one who is the other half of ye.”
She turned and walked away. Abi hurried after her through the shadowy landscape. “Wait!”
But Irene’s image blurred and suddenly it wasn’t an old woman at all but a deer with dark, liquid eyes. The deer turned and watched Abi for a moment, then bounded away into the trees.
Abi lurched upright in bed. “Irene! Wait!”
Her heart was thumping and her hair was plastered to the sides of her face with sweat. For an instant, she didn’t recognize where she was. Sunlight was flooding through the window into a room filled with antique furniture.
There was a thumping on the door. “My lady?” called a voice tight with worry. “My lady, are ye all right?”
The door handle turned, but there was a chest wedged in front of it. What?
Abi swallowed and ran the back of her hand across her forehead. With a rush, everything came flooding back: Irene, the arch, the prison, the terrifying ride here, wedging the chest against the door last night.
And Reid Campbell.
Him most of all. His face hovered in her mind as though she’d been dreaming about him. Irene’s words echoed in her memory.Have faith in the one who is the other half of ye.
“My lady! Abigail!”
A second voice answered. “We’ll have to break it down! She might be unwell in there!”
Abi threw back the covers. “There’s no need for that. Hang on a minute!”
