Then the image of another woman flashed through his mind and he felt a pang in his chest. He couldn’t figure out whether the woman was Lorna or Caitlin. He closed his eyes for a moment, pushing the feeling aside.
Damn it!
He finished his drink then rose and left the tavern, determined to clear his head. He’d climb up to the castle and speak with Lord Tobias, even though he’d rather stick his head in a wasp’s nest. But if therewasa mole in Dun Cator, the lord of the castle needed to know about it.
Kai stepped out into the evening, striding through the gathering darkness towards the castle gate. The stars were beginning to shine overhead like a thousand tiny fireflies and his boots clacked against cobblestones as he walked, echoing off buildings like a distant drum beat warning of an impending storm.
It matched his mood perfectly.
Chapter 16
The next morning, Caitlinwas already up when a soft knock came on her door. In truth, she’d barely slept and just kept tossing and turning most of the night, unable to stop the whirring of her thoughts.
She answered the door and the same maid who’d shown her to her room yesterday came in and gave her a curtsey.
“Good morning, my lady,” she said. “I trust ye slept well?”
“Yes, thank you,” Caitlin lied.
“Then if ye wish, I will help ye get ready for breakfast.”
“Er...sure. Great.” The young woman crossed to the mantelpiece and took up a hairbrush then moved to stand behind Caitlin’s chair.
“What’s your name?” Caitlin asked as she began brushing out her hair.
“Emma, my lady.”
“I’m Caitlin.”
The girl smiled but said nothing. It seemed she wasn’t one for conversation. Caitlin allowed her to brush her hair, but when Emma offered to help her dress, she froze. Emma blinked at her, a bemused expression on her face as Caitlin insisted the young woman turned her back while she dressed herself.
Emma was too well-trained to comment, but Caitlin suspected the maid thought her behavior a little odd. Well, tough. She was doing her best to fit in here, but therewerelimits. Once she was dressed and washed, Caitlin followed Emma down to the great hall for breakfast. The hall was already bustling with activity. The servants went about their chores whilst the warriors and lords sat at their tables, eating and talking.
Caitlin hesitated on the threshold, a twinge of apprehension twisting her stomach. She scanned the tables for Kai, but there was no sign of him, Conall, or Magnus. Caitlin smoothed her dress, feeling self-conscious as she followed Emma to a seat at one of the long tables. Emma hurried off, leaving Caitlin sitting stiffly by herself.
Where were Kai and the others? She should have arranged to meet them before coming down to breakfast alone. She feltveryout of place andveryuncomfortable.
