A beat followed, before Finlay said carefully, “Ye ken, Ava’s wound is almost completely healed.”
Caden’s jaw tightened. When did Finlay talk to Ava?
Not that it mattered. He should not be jealous of their friendship. Ava was free to talk to whomever she liked.
So why did it bother him that Finlay knew how she was doing and he did not?
Caden turned away and began walking down the hall. “Good for her.”
Finlay followed him, as he had done their whole lives. His eyes narrowed, as if he saw something that needed poking at. “Is it?”
Caden stopped and turned to face him, his expression hard. “I have other matters that require me attention.”
“Aye,” Finlay said quietly. “Yet, ye’re losing the most important one, me Laird.”
He only called him by his title when he was being a bampot.
Caden scoffed. “Daenae start with me. Today isnae the day. I daenae need me man-at-arms tellin’ me what to do.”
He resumed walking down the hall.
“Well, ye’re going to hear what I have to say, Braither, whether ye like it or nae.” Finlay chased after him, undeterred. “I’ve never seen ye happier than when ye’re around her. Nae in battle, nor in victory. Nae once in all our lives have I seen ye so content. Only with Ava.”
“Are ye going to keep waxing poetic, or are we done here?”
“Ye’re a daft prick.” Finlay shook his head in disbelief.
Caden froze, unsure whether to tell him the truth. They had been each other’s confidants their entire lives. His brother knew him better than anyone, and had been with him through thick and thin.
“It’s just…” He stared at a spot on the wall behind Finlay’s head and then at his feet, feeling restless. “I cannae afford to lose me focus.”
Finlay wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “But ye already have, ye fool. Wake up, Braither. Ye have missed clan meetings. Ye’re shirkin yer duties to mope. Daenae ye see? Ye cannae be focused until ye claim her.”
A laugh drifted from down the hall.
Caden looked toward the room, despite his better judgment. Just a glance, he told himself. She was not going to come out anyway. Not for him.
“She doesnae want me, and I cannae afford to lose her. This is best for everyone.” The corner of his mouth pulled down, tugging on his scar.
“Stop lyin’ to yerself,” Finlay huffed. “And stop hurtin’ her. She willnae put up with yer ways for much longer. Ava isnae a woman who waits forever.”
Silence stretched between them, thick and tense.
Caden made no promises. He conceded not an inch.
Eventually, Finlay let out a breath and turned away. “Fine, I’ll handle the council meetings.”
He left without another word, his footsteps slowly fading down the hall.
Caden remained where he was, staring at nothing. His chest tightened. If anything, his brother’s warnings had the opposite of their intentions. Caden’s heart had shuttered further away than ever before.
CHAPTER 25
The market lay justbeyond the castle gates. Canvas stalls lined the streets, and the air was thick with the scent of peat, apples, and damp wool.
Days after Thalia’s arrival, Ava decided on a change of air. So she was now walking with Nathan’s small hand tucked into hers, his short legs working hard to keep pace. Thalia flanked her other side, her cloak already streaked with dirt where she had knelt more than once to gather herbs.
“Look!” she gasped, stopping at a stall laden with herbs tied with twine.
