“Henry!”
Elijah’s boots thundered through the corridors as he made his way to the stables. Dawn was just breaking over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink that he barely noticed. He’d spent the entire night pacing his chambers, the crumpled letter clutched in his fist, before finally accepting what he had to do.
He had to go after her.
Pride be damned. Fear be damned. He couldn’t let her go without at least trying to fix what he’d broken.
“Henry!” He burst into the stable yard to find his friend already there, inspecting one of the horses. “Saddle Thunder. Now.”
Henry looked up, taking in Elijah’s disheveled appearance with raised eyebrows. “Good mornin’ to ye too. What’s the rush?”
“Iris left yesterday. I’m going after her.”
“About damn time.” Henry moved immediately toward Thunder’s stall. “I was wonderin’ how long it would take ye to pull yer head out of yer arse.”
“Just saddle the bloody horse.”
“Already on it.” Henry led the massive black stallion out, beginning the process of tacking him up. “How far ahead is she?”
“Left yesterday afternoon. Probably stopped at an inn for the night which means if I ride hard, I might catch them soon.” Elijah began checking the supplies of water skin, food, and coin purse Henry handed him. “They’re headin’ back to their father’s clan.”
“And ye’re just going to ride up and demand she come back with ye?”
“I’m going to apologize. Properly. And then I’m going to beg if I have to.” The admission tasted bitter but necessary. “I was wrong, Henry. About all of it.”
“I ken.” Henry finished with the saddle, turning to face him. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad ye finally realized it. That lass is the best thing that’s happened to ye.”
“I ken that too. Now.” Elijah swung up onto Thunder’s back. “Watch over Codie while I’m gone. And if I’m nae back within a week…”
“Ye’ll be back.” Henry’s voice was confident. “And ye’ll have yer wife with ye. Now go, before ye lose any more time.”
Elijah nodded once then wheeled Thunder toward the gates. But before he could spur the horse forward, a small voice stopped him cold.
“Faither!”
He turned to see Codie running across the yard, still in his nightshirt, his face streaked with tears. The boy had clearly been crying for some time, his eyes red and swollen.
“Codie, what are ye doing out here, lad? Ye should be in bed.”
“Ye’re leavin’!” The accusation came out as a wail. “Just like Maither did! Just like Lady Iris did! Everyone leaves me!”
The words were enough to cause Elijah to dismount immediately, dropping to one knee so he was at eye level with his son.
“Lad, that’s nae what’s happenin’.”
“It is! I heard the servants talkin’. They said Lady Iris left because she was unhappy. And now, ye’re leavin’ too!” Codie’s small hands grabbed fistfuls of Elijah’s shirt. “Please daenae leave me, Faither. Please. I’ll be good, I promise. I’ll be so good ye willnae want to leave.”
“Codie.” Elijah’s voice was firm but gentle. “Look at me.”
The boy’s tear-filled eyes met his.
“I’m nae leavin’ ye. Ever. Do ye understand? I’m nae going away like yer maither did.”
“But ye’re gettin’ on yer horse. Ye’re ridin’ away.”
“Because I’m going to bring Lady Iris back.” Elijah pulled his son into his arms, holding him tight. “That’s why I’m leavin’. To find her and convince her to come home. To us.”
Codie pulled back slightly, searching his face. “Truly? Ye’re nae leavin’ for good?”
