"I ken enough."Maia grabbed her cloak from its peg. "I ken that I'm a fool for thinkin' this could be anythin' more than what it is. I'm his prisoner. His leverage. And whatever happened on that mountain, it was just a moment of weakness. A mistake he's been too polite to acknowledge."
"Ye're wrong,"Aisla said firmly. "The laird cares about ye, Maia. I've seen it. Everyone's seen it."
Maia's voice rose,all the hurt and confusion she'd been holding back pouring out. "Why hasnae he come to see me, to talk about what happened between us? Why would he let that woman anywhere near him if he truly cared?"
Neither Mollienor Aisla had an answer for that.
Maia finished packing—justthe essentials, enough to get her somewhere safe—and swung the satchel over her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I ken ye both tried to help. But I cannae stay here. I cannae watch him with her, or with anyone else. I just cannae."
"Where will ye go?"Aisla asked quietly.
"I daenae ken. Anywhere but here."Maia moved toward the door, then paused and turned back. "Thank ye. Both of ye. For bein' me friends. For makin' me feel welcome here. I'll never forget yer kindness."
"I'm comin'with ye," Mollie said suddenly, standing.
"What? Nae, Mollie, ye cannae."
Mollie's jawwas set with determination. "I only came to Castle McGill for ye, Maia. To be with ye. If ye're leavin', then I'm leavin' too."
"But Duncan and yer weddin'."
"Can wait a bit longer.Or happen wherever we end up." Mollie grabbed her own cloak. "Ye're me friend. Me best friend. And I'm nae lettin' ye face this alone."
Tears burnedin Maia's eyes. "Thank ye."
Aisla looked between them,her expression torn. "I wish I could come too. But I cannae—me family is here, me whole life. But—" She moved forward and pulled both women into a fierce hug. "Be safe. Both of ye. And Maia, I still think ye're wrong about the laird. I think if ye just talked to him?—"
"I cannae,"Maia whispered. "I'm sorry. I just cannae."
They heldeach other for a long moment, three women who'd found friendship in unexpected circumstances. Then Maia pulled back, wiping at her eyes.
"We need to go.Before—before anyone stops us."
"How willye get past the guards?" Aisla asked.
"The postern gate,"Mollie said. "The one near the kitchens. It's usually unmanned this time of day."
They madetheir way through the castle cautiously, avoiding the main corridors, sticking to the servants' passages that Aisla had shown Maia over the past two weeks.
Maia's heartpounded with every step, terrified that they'd be stopped, that Ewan would appear and demand to know where she was going.
But they madeit to the postern gate without incident. The small door stood open, just as Mollie had predicted, allowing kitchen staff to come and go as needed.
"Last chance to change yer mind,"Aisla said softly.
Maia shook her head."I cannae stay. Nae after seein' that."
"Then go quickly.And may God watch over ye both." Aisla hugged them one more time, then stepped back.
Maia and Mollieslipped through the gate and into the fading light of the afternoon. The forest beckoned ahead, dark and promising cover. Behind them, Castle McGill stood proud and beautiful, the place Maia had started to think of as home.
"I should have never mistakenme position here," Maia said quietly as they hurried toward the trees. "That the freedom he gave me was just—just a prettier cage."
"Maia—"Mollie's voice was gentle. "Are ye absolutely sure about what ye saw? Could ye have misunderstood?—"
"I'm sure."The words came out harder than Maia intended. "I saw her straddle his lap, Mollie. Saw her hands on his shoulders, saw her leanin' in to kiss him. What else is there to misunderstand?"
"What he did next,"Mollie said quietly. "Whether he kissed her back or pushed her away. Whether he wanted her there or was horrified by her presence."
