Lachlan told her that he’d seen her in his dreams or memories, but he had never remembered her or that they were together. He’d walked out of her life without knowing the truth. But what would happen if she told him about himself? Or about them? If he didn’t remember, would he still love her?
Would the promises they’d made still bind them if he didn’t remember making them?
“Ye are betrothed to another man now.”
Ailis turned to face her stepmother. Surely, if Lachlan lived, she couldn’t marry another man. Her father wouldn’t force her to this, would he? One glance at Davina’s expression gave her the truth. He would.
Worse, if she confirmed his identity, her father could have him killed and no one would miss the stranger. He would rid himself of an enemy in one move.
“I need to find him. If he truly doesna remember me, I will let him go and not tell him.”
She rushed to the door but stopped with her hand on the latch. Ailis had heard the selfishness in her words. After what he’d suffered and lost, how could she think only of her pain and loss in this situation? If he didn’t remember her, it didn’t add to the burden he carried. It only hurt her.
Leaning her head against the door, she wanted to scream at the unfairness. He lived and yet she must live without him? Could she do that? Could she live without him if it gave him a chance to be safe?
She must. For him. For what they had. Even a few days ago, that wouldn’t have been her answer. But now, she knew he meant more to her than her own happiness.
“I will treasure every moment I spent with him,” she whispered against the wood. “Especially these last days.” Turning, she brushed away the tears. “For all the days of my life.”
She had spoken those words to him many times. When they vowed to be together and promised their love to each other, they’d promised it for all the days of their lives.
If his memory returned, he would need to find the person responsible. If it returned, she would be married and gone. For even if her father relented on Sir Duncan, there would be another man and she would eventually have to marry and leave here.
All the days of my life.
The words spoken in love and hope now described the emptiness ahead of her life without him.
But he would live. And be safe.
All the days of his life.
