Both sisters blinked at her.
Avery frowned. “Nae yet?”
Rhea tilted her head. “But ye heard him. Ye’re leaving in three days.”
Sorcha drew in a steady breath.
I have to see him first.
The thought burned inside her, and her eyes glinted with determination.
“There’s one thing I still need to do before I leave,” she said.
The sisters exchanged a look, looking curious and a little wary.
“What thing?” Avery prompted.
Sorcha smiled faintly and fanned herself again. “It doesnae matter.”
The sisters clearly wanted to push, but something in her tone seemed to have stopped them.
Rhea shrugged lightly. “All right, then. But ye’ll tell us, aye?”
“Maybe,” Sorcha replied, smiling to mask the tension in her voice. “We’ll see.”
The day turned into night, and still, William avoided her with an exactitude that hurt more than open cruelty ever could
Socha had seen him once across the courtyard, but he had quickly turned his back to her. Another time, she had heard his voice in a distant corridor. Before she could even reach it, it was gone. By evening, the truth had settled heavily upon her.
He was doing it on purpose.
She stood before the mirror in her chamber, candlelight flickering softly against her reflection. She studied herself the way one does when searching for answers that never came easily.
Red hair, loose around her shoulders. Dark brown eyes that looked tired tonight. Pale skin, lips pressed together.
“What’s wrong with ye?” she whispered.
Her reflection did not answer.
She turned her face slightly, searching for flaws that might explain everything.
Am I so easy to discard?
The thought tasted bitter.
So simple to send away?
Her throat constricted.
Perhaps she had been foolish. Foolish to hope. Foolish to believe that one night could change everything. Yet, despite the ache in her chest, she knew she still deserved answers.
She straightened again. Her resolve strengthened. Whatever William was hiding, whatever fear or plan had driven him to this decision, she would not leave without hearing the truth from his lips.
She reached for a cloak and fastened it around her shoulders. Then she grabbed a torch and lit it.
With her heart pounding, she stepped into the corridor.
The path toward his study felt filled with memories she tried her best to push down. With her chin lifted, she started walking.
