13
Fergus awakened abruptly, his heart beating rather too quickly.He felt agitated and threatened, but was relieved to find himself in the solar.He was alone in the bed and sat up quickly, wondering where Leila was.She was watching him from a short distance away, her brows drawn together in concern.She was already dressed, and he wondered at that, for it was still early enough for there to be shadows in the corners.
He had had the nightmare again.He knew it.
What had he said in his sleep?
“Is something amiss?”he asked.
“Why do you dream of her?”Leila asked, showing her usual inclination to be outspoken.
“Who?”
“Isobel, of course.You shout her name in the night.”
“I do?”Fergus knew he had experienced the nightmare of Isobel three times, but he had chosen not to speak to Leila about it.He did not wish her to fear for her future at Killairic and had kept its details to himself, but he saw on this morning that he might not have a choice.
In a way, it was a relief.
“You do.”Leila began to pace the width of the solar.“You take your pleasure with me, then you call out for her.”She spared him a hot glance.“It is most unsettling.”
Fergus rose and pushed a hand through his hair.Before he could find a way to explain, Leila continued.“I did not expect love to blossom between us quickly, especially when your heart was already surrendered.But I do expect some effort on your part, Fergus, and perhaps I am a fool, but I should prefer fidelity.”
“I have been with no woman but you, and so it shall be until the end of our handfast.I gave you my word.”
She flung out a hand and he found himself intrigued that she was so passionate.“Then why cry her name with such anguish?It is as if your heart is wretched.”Her voice turned husky.“If you wish so greatly to be with her, then we should part and you should go to her.I will not stand in the path of your happiness, Fergus.Go and be with your beloved.”
Fergus was surprised.“You suggest that we part because of a dream?”
She spun to face him.“It is in dreams that we cannot hide our true desires.”
“What of nightmares?”
Leila frowned, clearly not understanding his words.
Fergus crossed the floor to her and caught her shoulders in his hands.She was trembling and again, he was surprised by the intensity of her feelings.On the other hand, though, she had risked much and was reliant upon him.He looked down into her eyes, hoping she would believe the truth.“I am haunted by Isobel but not in the way you believe,” he explained.“She has appeared to me in a recurring nightmare, one in which I see Killairic destroyed because of her efforts.”
“Which efforts?”
“I do not know.It is a dream, so it makes little sense.”
“Your angel is warning you,” Leila said and Fergus nodded.
“As my wife has done before.Isobel’s tongue is a snake in this dream, and Killairic is consumed in flames.I cannot find you.”He heard his voice drop lower as the terror of his dream assailed him in daylight.His voice was hoarse when he continued.“I cannot protect you and Killairic itself is lost.”He shuddered involuntarily, aware that she watched him closely.“All is lost, and it is devastating.”
Leila leaned against his chest and her arms slid around his waist.“It might not mean that.It might be symbolic.If so, the dream could mean many things.”
“It could,” he acknowledged, drawing her closer.
“It could mean that Isobel lies.”
“That was my first notion.Snakes are often symbolic of deceit.”
“Or of healing,” Leila suggested.“Perhaps her words will reveal a dark truth that must be faced.”
“Perhaps.I should have told you,” he admitted, then kissed her temple.“I did not wish to concern you with what might be whimsy.”
“I told you before that if you do not heed your guardian angel, he may abandon you,” she chided, then pulled back from his embrace to look up at him.He saw unexpected concern in her expression.“What if your dream warns you that you could lose Killairic because of me?”
