Nathan let out another small smile.
There ye go!
“Emma and I were rolling on the ground, hootin’ and hollerin’ like a pack of wild dogs. Even our parents found it funny. Now, ye may be thinkin’ that it’s mean, but Thalia and Seamus became best friends after that day. They still are.”
Nathan let out a delighted giggle, and she sighed in relief. She hated that her argument with Caden had caused him to withdraw into himself.
Slowly, she rubbed one hand up and down his back and ran the other through his hair.
Heavy, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door, and Nathan’s smile fell. He popped his thumb back into his mouth and hid his face in her neck.
Ava cursed under her breath and cupped his head. “It’s all right,” she whispered in his ear. “I’m here.”
He whimpered.
Her irritation flared. “If ye’re here to spoil our fun, ye can leave,” she said to the fire.
Something large dangled in front of her face. She had trouble making it out until her eyes focused. She saw three pairs of skates.
“I… I thought Nathan might enjoy this,” Caden said, looking longingly at the boy.
Ava saw Nathan peek at Caden out of the corner of her eye.
“Really?” Ava asked skeptically.
“Really,” Caden replied, his voice rough.
Probably from the cold.
“But we should do it tomorrow, as it’s getting dark now.” He looked down at his feet, cleared his throat, and then looked at Nathan. “Does that sound good to ye?”
The boy popped his thumb out of his mouth and nodded earnestly.
Relief flashed across Caden’s face.
Of course, we should do it tomorrow, and it’s already dark outside. The sun set an hour ago.
Ava mentally rolled her eyes.
Lighter footsteps echoed off the floor and they saw Finlay coming in with a wide smile on his face. He gave a bow to Ava and Nathan.
“Master, Mistress.” He looked entreatingly at them. “Cook is looking for a wee child to try some of the pastries she’s been baking all day. Do ye ken anyone who would be interested in such a task? I cannae find a wee child anywhere in this giant castle.”
Nathan’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. He raised his hand, his eyes wide.
“Aye, ye’ll do!” Finlay beamed.
The boy wiggled out of the chair and ran into his arms. Finlay tossed him into the air, making him giggle, before carrying him out of the room.
Caden turned to leave. Ava hesitated to speak until he was almost to the stairs. “I didnae think ye had it in ye,” she finally said.
“What’s that?” He stopped and turned back to face her. Half of his face was cast in shadow, and the silk of his mask reflected the firelight.
“Being open to fun,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at her. “Ye daenae ken me well enough to say such things, lass.”
“Perhaps ye should help me get to ken ye,” she fired back, her lips pursed.
