Kai knew the bite of loss. The loss of his infant brother and sister, the deaths of beloved cousins, servants, pets, and now, the death of his once beloved father. Maybe it was harder to mourn his father who still lived but had died spiritually. “What do you miss the most about your father?”
“His laughter,” she said.
“And your mother?”
He heard the tiny sob escape her lips, and wanted to comfort her. But if he acknowledged having heard it, he might do more harm. Better to ignore it.
“She died when I was very young.”
He opened the wineskin and took a deep drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“What about yer mother? Do ye miss her?”
Her sudden interest in his life surprised him, for Miran had always cursed him, never asking after his personal affairs. “Nearly every night after most are abed, I go outside and gaze up at the stars. I imagine her doing the same, for we did so when I was a boy. She would point to the brightest stars and teach me their names. The heavenly bodies have always been a point of deep curiosity for me.”
He watched as she leaned back and gaped up at the nighttime sky. The half-moon was ringed by clouds, but dozens of stars were visible.
“Do we see the same stars here as ye saw in Constantinople?”
“Yes.”
“Mistress.”
Bloody hell…Kai found it hard to believe Cadha interrupted so many of their conversations by accident. In fact, he was beginning to think she was spying on them and purposely cutting their time short to keep him from growing closer to Miran. If the maid persisted, he would speak with her. As far as he was concerned, he’d made progress with Miran, experienced a sweeter, more trusting side of her tonight.
“Aye, Cadha?” Miran asked.
“Captain Kai has informed me we should be ready to leave at daybreak. If ye wish to get a full night’s sleep, we should retire now.”
“Verra well.” Miran stood. “I bid ye good night, Captain.”
He stood out of respect for her, waiting until the women disappeared before he claimed the stool she had been sitting on. He finished his cold stew, then drank a fair portion of wine.
“Can I join ye?”
He welcomed the company of Colin, his second-in-command. Not only had the man demonstrated great skill with a sword and bow, he’d earned Kai’s trust. “Yes.”
“We’ll reach the next village in a few days. I thought ye should know I have a cousin who lives nearby. He has a small farm, and I am sure ye and Lady Miran would be welcome at their hearth.”
“As will you, Colin.”
“Nay,” the soldier said. “I prefer to keep watch.”
“You will be expected to at least eat with us. I will not deprive you of what I am sure is a long overdue visit with your kinsman.”
“Thank ye, Captain Kai. The reason I suggested it is to give ye and the lass some time together. Tis my job to watch over ye, and the old hen hasna escaped my attention. Cadha doesna care for ye much. Aye, she respects ye as a leader and protector, but she doesna want ye near Lady Miran. And if I’m no’ mistaken, Laird Jamie wishes ye to marry his cousin.”
He rewarded the soldier with the rest of the wine in his skin. “Drink, the night air is cold.”
Colin nodded and drank greedily.
“Do ye have a wife and children, Colin?”
“Nay. Though my Da and Ma wish me to choose a bride. I am their only son, and with two younger sisters, their only hope of a grandchild any time soon.”
“A man needs children to complete him. A wife to comfort him as he grows old.”
“I am but twenty seasons, sir. Most men I know prefer to wait.”
