"Donnach, this is Mhairi Munro." Alpin's hand settled briefly at the small of her back—a gentle, reassuring touch. "Mhairi, this is Donnach. He's been the castle healer fer... how long now?"
"Thirty-two years, come autumn." Donnach set down his mortar and wiped his hands on his apron. "Though some days it feels like twice that." His gaze sharpened as he studied Mhairi. "Munro, ye said? Long way from yer faither's lands."
"Aye." Mhairi's throat tightened, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. "It's... complicated."
"Most things worth tellin' are." Donnach's expression softened. "Well, any friend of our laird's is welcome in me healin' chambers. What can I dae fer ye?"
Alpin spoke before Mhairi could. "She's nae just visitin'. She wants tae learn. Tae apprentice, if ye'll have her."
Donnach's eyebrows shot up. "An apprentice? Truly?"
"I..." Mhairi felt heat rise to her cheeks. "I ken it's unusual. A laird's daughter learnin' healin'. But I've always loved it—the herbs, the remedies, the way a skilled healer can ease sufferin'. I used tae sneak into our healer's chambers as a child, and he'd teach me what he could when nay one else was watchin'. But it was never proper. Never allowed."
"And now?" Donnach asked gently.
"Now I'm here." Mhairi's chin lifted slightly. "And Alpin says in his castle, I can learn whatever I want."
"That he did." Donnach looked between them, something knowing flickering in his expression. Then he smiled. "Well then. If ye're serious about learning, I'm serious about teaching. But I'll warn ye now, it's nae glamorous work. Long hours, difficult cases, and sometimes we lose people despite our best efforts."
"I understand," Mhairi said firmly.
"Dae ye?" Donnach moved closer, his gaze assessing. "Can ye handle seein' blood? Bone? Wounds that would make most ladies faint?"
"I've seen worse things than blood recently," Mhairi said quietly. "I think I can manage."
Somethin' shifted in Donnach's expression—respect, maybe, or recognition. "Aye. I believe ye can." He gestured to his worktable. "Come here. Let me see yer hands."
Mhairi glanced at Alpin, who nodded encouragingly, then crossed to where Donnach waited. The healer took her hands in his, gnarled and age-spotted but still steady, and turned them over, examing her palms and fingers.
"Good," he murmured. "Strong hands. Steady. And these..." He touched the bandages on her wrists gently. "Recent?"
"Aye."
"Rope burns?"
Mhairi nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in her throat.
Donnach's expression darkened briefly, but he only said, "Well, ye ken firsthand what it's like tae be hurt, then. That's important fer a healer, understandin' pain. Nae just treatin' it but truly understandin' it." He released her hands. "Ye can start tomorrow. Dawn. We'll begin with herbs—learnin' tae identify them, how tae prepare them, what they're used fer. After that, if ye prove ye're serious, we'll move on tae more advanced work."
"Dawn," Mhairi repeated, her heart soarin'. "I'll be here."
"Good lass." Donnach's smile was warm now. "And Mhairi? Thank ye. Fer wantin' to learn. It's good tae see someone who actually cares."
"Thank ye," Mhairi whispered. "Fer givin' me this chance."
As they left the healin' chambers, Mhairi felt lighter than she had in days. Maybe weeks. Like something that had been locked tight inside her was finally beginning to open.
"Ye're smilin'," Alpin observed as they walked.
"Am I?" Mhairi touched her face, surprised to find he was right. "I suppose I am."
"It suits ye."
Before she could respond, Alpin stopped in front of a door she didn’t recognize. They were on a different floor now—quieter, with fewer people passing through.
"This is yer new chamber," he said, pulling something from his pocket. "The one I promised ye last night."
He held out a key.
