“But they havenae heard it from me. And I tell it better than anyone.” Codie took a large bite of his honey-soaked porridge. “I could make ye sound even more heroic, Faither. Like ye jumped from yer horse onto the runnin’ one while fightin’ off bandits at the same time.”
“Let’s stick to the truth, lad. It’s impressive enough without exaggeration.”
“But exaggeration makes stories better,” he continued, “and I feel fine! Better than fine, actually. The medicine worked perfectly.” Codie bounced slightly in his seat to demonstrate. “See? Full of energy.”
“Full of honey, more like,” Elijah observed dryly though there was amusement in his voice now. “Perhaps ye should slow down before ye make yerself sick again.”
“I willnae get sick. I’m strong now, like Faither.” Codie flexed his small arms. “Lady Iris said I’m one of the bravest boys she’s ever met.”
“Did I? I believe I said ye were brave for takin’ yer medicine without fussin’.” Iris tried to keep her expression stern, but she couldn’t quite suppress her smile. “That’s a different kind of bravery.”
“But it’s still bravery. So, I’m brave in multiple ways.” Codie’s logic was irrefutable in his own mind. “Which means I should definitely be allowed to go to the village today.”
The great hall doors burst open, cutting off Codie’s argument. Mairie rushed in, her face flushed and her eyes bright with something that looked like excitement mixed with concern.
“Me lady!” She hurried to Iris’s side, slightly breathless. “Ye have a visitor. At the gate. And I think... well, I think ye’ll be very happy to see them.”
Iris set down her spoon, confusion washing over her. “A visitor? Who would be visitin’ me here?”
“I daenae want to say’, but please, come quickly.” Mairie was already pulling at her arm. “They’re waitin’ at the main entrance.”
“Should I come with ye?” Elijah’s voice held concern now, his body already tensing as if preparing to deal with a threat. His hand had moved instinctively closer to where his sword would normally rest.
“Nay, I... I’m sure it’s fine.” Iris stood, wiping her mouth with her napkin and trying to calm the sudden racing of her heart. “I’ll be right back. Codie, keep eatin’ yer breakfast properly.”
“But I want to see the visitor too!” Codie protested, already half out of his seat.
“Stay with yer faither,” Iris said firmly but kindly. “I’ll tell ye all about it when I return.”
She followed Mairie through the corridors, her mind racing with possibilities. Her parents? No, they’d never come here, not after the scandal. Malcolm? She hoped not. Then who.
The castle seemed longer than usual as they walked, each corridor stretching endlessly before them. Mairie kept glancing back at her, clearly bursting with the secret she was keeping, her lips pressed together as if physically holding the words inside.
“Mairie, please,” Iris said as they turned another corner. “At least give me a hint. Ye’re makin’ me nervous.”
“I daenae want to ruin the surprise. But I promise, it’s a good surprise. At least, I think it is.” Mairie’s expression wavered between excitement and uncertainty. “Ye’ll see in just a moment.”
They turned the corner into the entrance hall, and Iris stopped dead. Standing by the heavy wooden doors, travel-worn and pale but unmistakably alive, was Lydia.
“Oh me God.” The words came out as barely a whisper. “Lydia?”
Her sister’s head snapped up at the sound of her name, and relief flooded her features. “Iris!”
Lydia ran across the hall, and Iris met her halfway, catching her twin in a fierce embrace. They clung to each other, both trembling, and Iris felt tears streaming down her face before she even realized she was crying.
“Ye’re alive,” Iris managed, her voice breaking. “Ye’re alive and ye’re here.”
“I’m so sorry.” Lydia pulled back, her own face wet with tears. “I’m so, so sorry, Iris. For everythin’. For runnin’ away and for leavin’ ye to deal with the mess I created.”
“Stop.” Iris cupped her sister’s face, studying her features. Same blonde hair, same brown eyes, but something was different about Lydia now. Something harder around the edges. “I’m just happy ye’re fine. That’s all that matters. Where have ye been? Are ye hurt? Have ye been eatin’ properly?”
“I’m fine. I’ve been stayin’ at a convent near Inverness. The sisters took me in when I showed up on their doorstep.” Lydia’s hands gripped Iris’ arms. “But I couldnae stop thinkin’ about what me actions might have caused for ye. If Da and Ma had made ye suffer for me choices. I had to come see ye, had to make sure ye were all right and see if ye hated me for what I’d done.”
“I could never hate ye.” Iris felt fresh tears threatening. “I was worried sick, but I never hated ye. Ye did what ye had to do.”
“But at what cost to ye?” Lydia’s voice broke. “When I heard that they’d made ye take me place, I couldnae believe it. I thought I’d be sick.”
Iris pulled back slightly, her hands still gripping her sister’s arms. “Wait. How did ye hear? How did ye even ken what happened? Ye promised to write when ye were safe, but I never received a letter.”
