"The Brave Laird," she whispered.
Alpin's breath caught. He looked at her then, really looked at her, and the intensity in his gaze made her heart race.
"Mhairi..."
"What?" She tried to sound casual, but her voice came out breathless.
"Naething. Just..." He shook his head, turning back to the stars. "Thank ye."
"Fer what?"
"Fer that. Fer seein’ me that way."
"It's how ye are," Mhairi said simply. "Brave. Protectin’ people who cannae protect themselves."
They fell into comfortable silence again, watching the stars wheel slowly overhead. The night was peaceful, broken only by the distant call of an owl and the occasional sound of guards changing watch below.
"There," Alpin said suddenly, pointing to a constellation Mhairi hadn't noticed before. "What dae ye see?"
She followed his finger to a scattering of stars that formed... "A crown? With two bright stars in the center like eyes."
"Aye. A crown and eyes." Alpin's voice had gone soft. "What would ye name it?"
Mhairi thought about how she'd felt on that auction platform—exposed, terrified, but still fighting. About how Alpin had looked at her, even then, like she was worth saving. Like she was more than what they were trying to make her.
"The Grey-Eyed Queen," she said.
"Perfect." Alpin shifted closer, and now their shoulders were touching. The contact sent warmth spreading through her despite the cold. "She sounds fierce."
"She'd have to be. Queens face terrible things."
"Aye. But they survive them." He paused. "And they're stronger fer it."
Mhairi's throat tightened. She stared up at the stars she'd just named, trying to see herself the way Alpin seemed to see her. Strong. Worthy. A queen rather than a victim.
"I dinnae feel like a queen," she admitted.
"Ye will. Give it time."
"How dae ye ken?"
Alpin turned to face her fully. "Ye're already thinkin’ like someone who's free, Mhairi. Ye just havenae realized it yet."
She wanted to believe him. Wanted to see herself as something more than a broken thing trying to piece itself back together.
"What about ye?" she asked, deflecting. "Dae ye have a constellation?"
"I just got one. The Brave Laird, remember?" His smile was gentle, teasing.
"Nay, I mean one ye named. From before."
Alpin considered, looking back up at the sky. "There. Those five stars formin’ a line with that cluster beside them."
"What is it?"
"The Lost Ones." His voice had gone quiet. "Fer me maither and sister. They died a long time ago. And fer all the lasses who've gone missin’ from me lands. The ones I couldnae save."
Mhairi's heart ached. Without thinking, she reached out and took his hand. His fingers closed around hers immediately, warm and strong.
