Ava looked down at Nathan, who was playing with his wooden horse. He giggled to himself as the horse tipped over, then he righted it and tipped it again.
The sound tugged at something lodged deep in her chest. She crossed her arms against the chill that swept through her.
“Ava…” Thalia frowned. “Is it really that bad?”
“It could be worse,” Ava said with a shrug. “Working on our marriage had been… challenging, so we’ve decided to lead separate lives. It’s simpler that way.”
Thalia let out a quiet sigh, the kind that carried more weight than words. She reached across the space between them and took Ava’s hand, saying no more.
Her presence was a balm to Ava’s soul, gently and steadily soothing her broken heart as best as sisterly love could.
When they were children, Thalia was always the one to soothe and nurture. And while Emma was lost in her romantic dreams and poems, Ava was the fire and wit that protected them.
It was nice to see that Thalia had not lost her loving and gentle side yet.
“Ye ken, ye’re doing a fine job raising Nathan, Sister,” Thalia said sweetly, a warm smile on her face.
Ava smiled back, and they watched Nathan play for a few moments.
“He’s a blessing I didnae ken I needed,” she mumbled.
A knock sounded at the door, before it creaked open. Caden poked his head inside and, at Ava’s nod, stepped into the room.
He looked as he always did—composed, distant, controlled, not a hair out of place. He walked over and patted Nathan on the head, before returning to the women. His gaze briefly flicked to Thalia, offering a polite nod of greeting, then shifted his gaze to Ava.
“Have ye seen Finlay?” he asked.
Ava looked at the fire. “Nay, I havenae. I daenae believe he’s back yet from his meetings,” she replied, keeping her voice calm and even, not allowing the raging fire within to show.
Caden paused, as if he wanted to ask another question. He shook his head as if he thought better of it. “Very well.”
He turned around and left as quietly as he had come, the door closing behind him with a hollow thud.
Silence fell over the room, only to be broken by Nathan’s quiet murmuring.
Thalia watched the door for a long while after Caden left, then slowly turned her focus back to Ava, her expression softly troubled, but not unkind.
“Worse,” she murmured not, “is closer than ye let on, Sister.”
Ava could not stand to see the pity in her little sister’s eyes.
Nathan toddled toward her, his arms raised, and she picked him up. She said nothing, only buried her face in his soft hair. She held onto him.
This is enough. This has to be enough.
CHAPTER 24
The thudof Finlay’s boots echoed off the walls as he came in from the courtyard. The chill in the air seemed to have followed him, for Caden could not help but shiver.
“Ah, Braither.” Finlay marched toward him. “I met with MacAinsley’s councilmen and explained the situation. They are willing to sign the treaty on the condition that Nathan take over as Laird one day, uniting both clans. While we wait for him to come of age, they wantusto lead…”
But Caden was not really listening. Rather, he was watching Ava and Nathan through the open door to his left. They were sitting together in a chair next to Ava’s sister, speaking in hushed tones.Ava’s head was bent slightly as she listened, her hand absentmindedly smoothing Nathan’s hair.
Indeed, she looked steadier and happier than she had in weeks. Caden tried to be happy for her sake, but bitterness soured his mood.
“Did ye hear what I said?” Finlay asked, jolting him out of his reverie.
“Ye take care of it, Braither. I daenae care.” Caden did not even look at him.
