"I wouldnae—" She splashed him one more time, a small token splash that barely counted. "—dae that."
He lunged for her.
Mhairi shrieked and tried to dodge, nearly slipping again in the process. Alpin caught her around the waist, pulling her close, both of them soaked to the skin and grinning like fools.
"Ye're terrible," she said, trying to sound stern despite the laughter still bubbling in her chest.
"So ye keep telling me." He tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "Come on. Let's get ye across before ye actually dae fall in."
This time, he kept hold of her hand as they navigated the remaining stones. Mhairi moved more carefully, testing each step before committing her weight, and Alpin stayed close enough to steady her when needed.
When they finally reached the far bank, they both stood there dripping, surveying the damage.
"I'm completely soaked," Mhairi observed.
"Aye. Me too."
"This is yer fault."
"Is it?" His eyes were dancing. "I seem tae recall ye startin’ the whole water fight."
"Only because ye splashed me first!"
"Only because ye soaked me boots!"
They looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing again. Mhairi's boots squelched with every step as they began walking back toward the castle, water dripping from their clothes to leave a trail behind them.
"We're going tae track water all through the castle," she said.
"Aye. The servants will love that."
"We should probably use the kitchen entrance. Less chance of runnin’ intae people."
"Good thinkin’." Alpin glanced at her, his expression softening. "Though I have tae say, I quite like ye like this."
"What, soakin’ wet and probably about tae catch a cold?"
"Happy. Laughin’. Nae worried about Ashcombe or Graham or anything else, even if just fer a few minutes." He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Ye should laugh more often. It suits ye."
Warmth spread through Mhairi's chest. "I laugh more now than I have in months. Maybe years."
"Good. That's how it should be."
They made their way back to the castle, their wet clothes gradually growing clammy and uncomfortable in the cooling air. But Mhairi didn't mind. The memory of Alpin's laughter, of the water fight, of the simple joy of being silly together—it was worth a little discomfort.
By the time they reached the kitchen entrance, they'd mostly stopped dripping, though they were still obviously soaked.
Dinner was a quiet affair, just the two of them again in the small dining room.
They talked about inconsequential things—the upcoming arrival of Peadar and Kenina, preparations that needed to be made, supplies that needed to be checked.
But beneath the casual conversation, Mhairi was acutely aware of the way Alpin's eyes kept drifting to her mouth. The way his hand would brush hers when passing dishes. The way the air between them seemed charged with possibility.
When the meal finally ended and the servants cleared the dishes, Alpin leaned back in his chair and studied her.
"I have time taenight," he said. "If ye wanted tae practice those bindings."
Mhairi's pulse jumped. "Now?"
