“And ye taught me tae never hide.”
Selene watched as he reached out, straightened Elsie’s cloak, his fingers lingering at her neck. “Three days,” he promised. “And I will be with ye again.”
A solitary tear trickled down her cheek. “Three.”
Standing on tiptoe, she brushed his lips with a kiss, then turned and stepped lightly across the plank onto the deck.
Kenneth guided Selene aboard, his hand firm at her waist. As she stood on deck, the reality of it finally struck her – the separation, the danger, the irrevocability of choice.
Behind them, Halvard raised his hand.
Kenneth inclined his head in respect, Elsie waved a bright kerchief, blinking back tears.
The ropes were loosed, the sails unfurled.
As the birlinn pulled away, their voices quietened, the shore receded – and with it, the sheltering safety that had been hers and Kenneth’s for the past days.
His presence was solid beside her, and though the shadow of Aidan stretched like a dark shadow across the water, it could not eclipse Selene’s happiness
Kenneth’s jaw was set, his eyes gazing forward, as if he was already calculating wind and distance and threat.
He turned to her and dipped his head. “Me love, I must see tae the ship. She’ll nae sail herself home.” He kissed her cheek before he walked away.
And for the first time, Selene believed utterly that whatever lay ahead, they would meet it together. She stood by the curve of the deck, watching the water lap against the hull. Her stomach fluttered with fear, excitement, and hope, all knotted together.
She thought of Duntulm. Of stone walls and wind-swept heights. Of learning to belong to a place that was not hers by birth but would be by choice. Of waking beside Kenneth not in stolen hours but in daylight. Of meals shared, decisions made together, a life shaped not by fear but by intention.
I am not retreating now,as I was when I left my father’s home.I am going toward whatever may come, into life with the man I love.
Elsie joined her, slipping her hand into Selene’s. “Ye look like someone about tae take a giant leap intae what ye dinnae ken.”
Selene laughed softly. “It feels rather like that.”
“Good,” Elsie said. “The best things usually dae.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The birlinn slipped away from Raasay on a rising tide, her sail catching the wind with a low, hollow snap that was like music to Kenneth’s heart. He stood near the rail beside Selene, the deck moving beneath his boots.
The open water of the Sound of Raasay was rough and with the birlinn riding low in the water, the sturdy craft was ploughing and wallowing rather than flying lightly over the waves.
Elsie made a strange gurgling sound. She was beside Selene, gripping the rail, her face growing whiter by the second.
“My dear sister, I find that this sailing is not agreeing with me at all,” she whispered, grimacing. “I was a good sailor when I journeyed here with Halvard, but today me stomach is heaving and I am gripped by seasickness.”
“Oh, goodness. Let us take you back to the little cabin where you can rest.” Selene glanced up at Kenneth who was regarding Elsie with concern.
“Come lass.” He proffered his arm. “We’ll take ye. The ship’s roll makes it hard tae walk on board and I dinnae wish ye tae fall.”
Together Selene and Kenneth escorted Elsie back to the small space near the prow and helped her to lie down on the thin straw mattress there.
“I’m sorry lass that our bedding will nae provide ye with luxury.”
Selene drew up a fur coverlet, placing it gently over Elsie’s prone form. “It may not be what you’re used to at the castle, but it is practical and warm and ye may rest here until you feel better.”
Kenneth supplied a small wooden bucket and placed it nearby. “In case ye need it,” he said grimly.
Elsie reached out a quivering hand. “Please leave, me dear sister. I wish tae lie here and quietly die.” She closed her eyes.
