He cares about ye.He's just scared. Ye need to talk to him.
She could do this.She could walk through that door and tell Ewan exactly how she felt. Could be brave for once in her life instead of accepting whatever scraps of affection she was given.
Maia raisedher hand to knock?—
And frozeas she heard voices from inside. Ewan's, deep and firm. And another voice. Female. Familiar.
Laura.
What is she doin'here? He banned her from the castle. Why would she?—
"Letme show ye what ye're missin'."
Laura's voice was sultry,seductive. Maia's hand dropped to her side as something cold settled in her stomach.
"Letme prove to ye that I'm better than her in every way."
Maia should leave.Should walk away right now before she heard something that would break her heart completely.
But her feetwouldn't move. She stood rooted to the spot, unable to do anything but listen as the woman she hated most in the world tried to seduce the man Maia had just realized she was in love with.
Through the crackin the door—left slightly ajar, she now noticed—Maia could see movement. Could see Laura circling the desk with that predatory grace, moving toward Ewan with clear intent.
He'll tell her nae.He'll push her away. He wouldnae—he couldnae?—
But then Laurawas moving faster, slipping between Ewan and the desk, and before Maia's horrified eyes, the woman straddled Ewan's lap.
Her hands wentto his shoulders. Her lips aimed for his mouth.
And Maia's world shattered.
She didn't waitto see more. Didn't want to see if Ewan would push Laura away or, God forbid, kiss her back. Didn't want to witness the moment when everything she'd dared to hope for crumbled to dust.
She turned and ran.
Her feet carriedher through the corridors, past startled servants who called out to ask if she was alright, past guards who watched her flight with concerned expressions. She didn't stop, didn't slow, just kept running until she reached her chambers and slammed the door behind her.
Mollie and Aislawere still there, sitting by the fire and chatting. They looked up in surprise as Maia burst in, and their expressions immediately shifted to alarm.
"Maia? What's wrong? What happened?"Mollie was on her feet instantly, crossing to Maia's side.
"I'm leavin'."The words came out flat, emotionless. Maia moved to her wardrobe and pulled out the satchel she'd arrived with, still tucked in the corner, unused and forgotten until now.
"What?"Aisla stood as well. "What are ye talkin' about? Ye cannae just?—"
Maia started pullingclothes from the wardrobe, shoving them into the satchel with shaking hands. "I should never have stayed this long. Should never have let meself forget that I'm just a prisoner here. Just a—a tool for revenge against me uncle."
"Maia, stop."Mollie grabbed her arm, forcing her to pause. "Tell us what happened. What did ye see?"
"Laura."Maia's voice cracked on the name. "She was in his study. She—she straddled his lap. Was tryin' to kiss him. And I just… I couldnae stay and watch. Couldnae see if he—if he?—"
She couldn't finish.The words stuck in her throat, choking her.
"Oh, Maia."Aisla's voice was soft with sympathy. "But did ye see what happened after? Did ye see if he pushed her away?"
"I dinnae stay to watch!"Maia pulled away from Mollie, returning to her frantic packing. "I couldnae. Daenae ye understand? I was about to walk in there and tell him I love him. Tell him what I want. That I thought maybe we could—" A sob escaped her throat. "But he doesnae want me. Nae really. Naewhen there are women like Laura available. Beautiful, perfect women who arenae—who arenaeme."
"That's nae true,"Mollie protested. "Maia, ye daenae ken what happened in that room. Ye daenae ken if he did it."
