The light knocking on the other side of the door gave Elsy’s words pause, and she watched the door, hoping it was Connell standing on the other side. She smiled, watching the door creak open, seeing dark hair. But her smile fell as Brann’s freckled face came into view, his eyes widening in confusion as they landed on Elsy.
“What are ye doing here?” he asked, rubbing his eyes as if he believed Elsy to be an apparition.
“My door was unlocked,” Elsy said, jutting out her chin, daring Brann to challenge her, take her back to her rooms. She was doing nothing wrong by being with Scott and caring for the young child.
Scott grabbed the blanket and clutched it closer to her. Elsy winced, only realizing now that Brann did not know the young girl’s secret. Although perhaps he would not see anything wrong with Scott, given his attention was mostly focused on Elsy.
Brann sighed, shaking his head. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, giving Elsy a look as if to say he didn’t know what to do with her. Elsy rose from the bed, straightening to her full height.
“I am only seeing to Scott. Is that so wrong?”
Brann didn’t say anything.
“I am a healer. Let me help.”
Brann pinched the bridge of his nose. “Aye, tis fine, I suppose, given Connell didn’t lock yer door.” He forced a smile that made him look more boyish. “Stay here with Scotty. It would do him some good having company.”
“Thank ye, Brann,” Elsy said softly.
Brann peeked over Elsy’s shoulder, his smile growing. “Are ye feeling any better, Scotty?”
“Aye, thank ye, Brann.”
Brann gave a curt nod, slowly turning back toward the corridor.
“Brann,” Elsy said quickly, rushing to follow him into the hall. “Wait.”
Brann paused and glanced over his shoulder. He didn’t say anything, merely waited for her to say what she needed. Elsy frowned, wringing her hands as she thought of the words. She didn’t want to sound peculiar, but she needed to know where Connell was. She needed to speak with him about the night before, know what it all meant to him.
Elsy knew what it meant to her.
“Do ye, perhaps, know where Connell is?” she asked, her gaze dropping to the stone floor, her face flushing, feeling foolish.
“Aye, he has gone hunting.”
Elsy frowned.Hunting? Now?she thought.Couldn’t he have waited until I rose? Couldn’t he have told me?She tried to stamp the frustration down. Even she knew, after looking through the kitchen, they were low on provisions and Scott needed more than just bread to get her strength up.
“Do ye know when he will be back?” Elsy asked, her tongue numb as she said the words. She couldn’t fight the dark thoughts. They seeped into her like water spilling through a crack.Did last night mean so little to him? Is he avoiding me?
“Nae, I do not.”
Elsy swallowed the pain building in her. She gave a curt nod, slowly turning back to Scott’s room. “Thank ye, Brann.”
“Did ye have need of him?” Brann asked. “I could ride out and--”
“Nae,” Elsy rushed out with a quick shake of her head. “That is not needed. I will simply speak with him later.”
She didn’t hear Brann’s response, only his footsteps fading down the corridor as she returned to Scott’s room. Her hand pulled the door shut, darkness seeping into the corners. Scott smiled at Elsy from her place on the bed, but Elsy couldn’t pretend to be happy. She felt miserable as she sat next to Scott, unable to stop her mind from traveling to dark places.
What does this mean?she wondered. He had left her door unlocked, yet he was avoiding her. He had called hermy love,but did he really mean his words?
“Elsy,” Scott said, resting her head against Elsy’s shoulder. “Tell me a story.”
Elsy grimaced. She couldn’t think of any stories to tell Scott. Even if she could, they would most likely be tragedies given how she currently felt. Her gaze slid to Scott, the girl staring up at Elsy with wide, childlike eyes, filled with innocence. Elsy forced a smile and stroked the girl’s head. Connell may be avoiding her, but at least she had Scott to take her mind off him for the moment. And when he returned, she would demand he explain his actions.
