“Och, Rufus.” Leona held out her arms, and her brother crossed the room to embrace her awkwardly. “Ye’re nae makin' it worse. I promise.”
“Ye’ve been cryin' for three days straight.”
“I havenae.”
“Ye have,” Rufus said, pulling back to look at her seriously. “Every night. I hear ye through the walls. And durin' the day, ye pretend ye’re fine, but ye’re nae fine. Ye’re miserable.”
“I’m just… adjustin'.”
“Ye’re heartbroken,” he said bluntly. “And I daenae ken how to fix it. I tried telling ye jokes. I tried showin' ye that terrible poetry. Nothin' works.”
Despite everything, Leona felt her lips curve slightly. “Ye tried poetry?”
“Aye. The really bad kind with too many rhymes.” Rufus made a face. “It was awful. Ye didnae even notice.”
As if summoned by the mention of misery, a soft meow came from the doorway. Nyx padded into the room, her tail high, and without hesitation jumped onto Leona’s lap.
The cat turned around three times, then curled into a tight ball, her purr rumbling like distant thunder.
Leona stared down at the small black creature in surprise. “She’s been doin' this,” she murmured. “Seeking me out. Sitting with me.”
“Aye,” Rufus said quietly. “It’s odd. She never used to be this… affectionate.”
“She misses Skye,” Leona whispered, stroking the cat’s soft fur. Tears welled up again. “She used to talk to her all the time. Tell her stories. Treat her like she was the most important creature in the world.”
“And ye’ve started doin' the same thing,” Isla observed gently.
Had she?
Leona supposed she had. It was easier to talk to the cat than to people. Nyx didn’t judge, didn’t offer unwanted advice, didn’t look at her with pity.
“I miss her,” Leona admitted. “Skye. I ken I only kent her for a short time, but she is… special. Bright and curious and so full of hope.” Her voice broke. “And now I’ll never see her again.”
“Because ye left,” Rufus said quietly.
“Because I had to leave.”
“Did ye, though?”
Before Leona could answer, another knock sounded at the door. This time, it was Duncan, one of the guards who’d helped her escape.
“Forgive the interruption, me Lady, but the council requests yer presence. They wish to formally congratulate ye on reclaimin' the clan.”
Leona wanted to refuse. Wanted to send them away and stay here with her mother and brother and the cat, who’d become her unlikely comfort. But that wasn’t an option. She had responsibilities.
“I’ll be down shortly,” she said.
The meeting was exactly as tedious as Leona had expected.
The council gathered in the Great Hall, along with what looked like half the clan. They applauded when she entered, calling out congratulations and welcome.
Duncan stood and made a long speech about justice and rightful succession. Others followed, each praising her courage, her sacrifice, her triumphant return.
Leona smiled and nodded, playing the part they expected. The brave Lady who’d reclaimed her birthright. The dutiful sister who’d saved her brother.
Inside, she felt nothing.
They’d given her everything she’d thought she wanted. Her home back. Her brother safe. Her clan restored.
