To be frank, he wasn’t sure which battle would destroy him first. The one against his father’s enemies had a low chance. But the battle against his growing attraction toward Sorcha? That would probably do it.
19
Most of the castle’s residents were asleep when the horses finally cantered into the courtyard.
Silence reigned, the stone walls bathed in moonlight. Even the guards spoke in hushed murmurs, as though the night per se demanded respect.
William swung down from his horse, his boots hitting the ground with a dull thud. His body ached from the ride, and his jaw was tight.
“I’m done for,” Myles yawned loudly. “If I daenae sleep now, I’ll turn into a proper bampot come morning.”
William snickered softly. “Ye’ve been one already.”
Myles chuckled, stepping back. “Aye, but a well-rested one is far more tolerable.” He paused, eyeing him carefully. “Ye comin’?”
William shook his head once. “Nay. Go ahead.”
Myles studied him a moment longer, then shrugged. “Suit yerself, me Laird. Try nae to brood holes into the walls.”
With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows that led to another corridor, his boots clicking against the floor.
William was left standing alone. It wasn’t as though he wasn’t sleepy, but the night was too heavy for him. He let out a slow breath and dragged a hand down his face.
A goddamn failure. That was what this journey had been.
No new evidence. No answers strong enough to bring Gregor or Fergus down without turning the people fully against him. Worse, he had failed to rid himself of Sorcha. He had even failed at distraction.
His jaw clenched as he reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a bottle of whiskey He loved the feel of the cool glass against his palm.
With that, he turned and headed inside, his footsteps echoing softly in the corridors.
His life had never been this complicated. Every path he took seemed to lead toward her.
Get rid of her, he had told himself countless times.Send her away.Yet his body betrayed him, responding to her presence as if she were a command he could not refuse. It was infuriating.
He walked deeper into the castle, getting swallowed by the silence. Well, until he heard laughter.
He slowed down.
More laughter sounded, soft and feminine, followed by the clinking of glasses.
What is happening?
William had paused by now, his eyebrows rising slightly as the wind carried another sound.
He knew he should have kept walking. He wanted nothing more than solitude and the burn of drink to calm his racing mind. Yet he was curious. Not about the voices, for he already knew that only a Dunrath could be so bold as to act in such a manner in the castle. But he was curious to know which.
His feet began to move, and soon, he found himself following the sound. Until he arrived in the corridor that opened onto the back of the castle, where moonlight spilled freely. The fountain behind shimmered, its water catching the silvery light.
Avery and Rhea sat nearby, looking like they were having the best time of their lives.
William watched them. The sisters leaned close, their heads bent together, their shoulders brushing as they laughed.
For a moment, the sight unsettled him more than he had expected. They looked… happy.
His fingers curled slowly at his side.
Why wouldn’t they be happy? They had never experienced betrayal from their flesh and blood. They had not lost their parents at the same time because of family. They had not been forced to grow up before they were ready.
