So, he locked the door of the war room, shut out the world, and buried himself in maps and fear and silence.
Davina had not meant to wander beyond the solar, not with guards shadowing her and Baird’s order still painfully echoing in her ears. But frustration had brewed for days. It felt like a tightening, simmering chain, pressing against her ribs until she felt she might split open if she stayed another moment indoors.
That was why she walked the corridor toward the courtyard, hoping merely for air. And that was when she saw him.
Baird was standing near the stables, with his cloak thrown around his shoulders, tightening the strap around his wounded arm as he prepared to ride out yet again. His horse stamped impatiently beside him.
He had not seen her. In a way, he never seemed toseeher anymore.
Something inside of her snapped. She stepped forward before she fully knew what she was doing. “Baird!”
He stiffened, looking over his shoulder. For the first time in days, their eyes met and his expression closed instantly, as though shutters slammed down behind his gaze.
“Ye should be indoors,” he said simply. “It’s nae safe out here.”
“I dinnae care,” Davina shot back, marching across the courtyard. “I’ve something tae say.”
“Davina, I’ve nae the time—” he began.
“Then ye’ll make time.”
Baird blinked. She rarely used that commanding tone with him, but she felt it rising now, as all the hurt heaped over days of silence bursting like a dam.
“What is it?” he demanded.
Her breath hitched. “Ye’ve ordered the guards about until they’re practically tripping over themselves tae please ye. Ye’ve tightened every patrol, banned every visitor, and shut yerself away from the entire keep?—”
“They are necessary precautions,” he cut in.
“And what precautions keepmesafe, Baird? Being locked in me room like a prisoner? Having guards at me door as if I might bolt? Being ignored by me own husband fer days with nay explanation?”
“I’ve already told ye that these are necessary things tae keep everyone safe, most of all ye,” he squeezed through clenched teeth, both of them aware that they were making a spectacle, but she didn’t care about that. All she cared about was receivinga single moment of her husband’s attention, even if that meant shouting at him.
She stepped closer. “That’s exactly the point, Baird. Ye keep saying ye’re protecting me, but ye willnae look at me. Ye willnae talk tae me. Ye willnae even stand in the same room with me unless forced.”
He flinched barely, but she saw it.
“Davina—”
“Nay,” she said, voice trembling. “Nay excuses. I deserve the truth.”
His throat worked, but he said nothing.
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “Ye’ve shut me out completely. Dae ye ken how that feels? Tae be yer wife in name only? Tae see ye walk past me as if I’m naething but a shadow?”
Baird’s breath came rough. “I’m daeing what must be done, Davina.”
“By pushing me away?”
“By keeping ye alive!” he snapped, louder than she had ever heard him. Several stablehands froze, pretending not to listen.
Davina stepped forward. She could feel her entire body trembling, not just her voice. “But I’m alive, Baird. I’m right here. And ye willnae let me stand beside ye.”
He tore his gaze away, staring past her into some unseen darkness. “Ye dinnae understand.”
“Thenexplainit tae me.”
His silence was a wound.
