Mary sat on the bench next to Colin.
“I have three daughters and three sons. My eldest son is a fisherman, gone for months at a time. Gara hasna been betrothed verra long, and I doona think Craig would approve of her departure. But maybe if ye convinced his father to let them both go, Craig to serve in the army and my daughter in the household, as long as they are married first, perhaps it would be a blessing for them to see a little of the world.”
Kai had not expected such a positive reply from the girl’s mother, but it pleased him very much. He promised at first light to ride with Colin to the Kinnear farm. The rest of the night was spent feasting on beef stew and enjoying the intelligent conversation of their hosts.
Eventually, Kai was shown to the stable where the older sons slept. Miran would take the small chamber off the kitchen, thereby not upsetting the usual sleeping arrangements for the large family. Colin had bidden farewell to his family and ridden back to camp.
As usual, Kai rested for several hours before he awakened and decided to explore the farm. He dressed, careful not to disturb the middle son sleeping on the cot across from his. He donned his wool shirt and leggings, then tied his tartan about his hips, finishing with his leather boots. Just as he was about to put on his fur cloak, he heard someone outside, their shoes crunching in the snow.
Quickly, he secured his weapon belt, then opened the door that led outside. From there he could see the front of the cottage. Appreciating the clear night, he stepped out, looking left then right, on high alert for anything out of place. That’s when he spotted Miran, carrying a lantern, wrapped in fur and looking like a Jinn with her unpinned, golden hair glowing in the ethereal moonlight.
What was she doing outside at this time of night unaccompanied? She knew better. He had hoped to get her alone. Instead of alerting her to his presence, he followed her silently, a skill he had picked up after years of training as a soldier.
He tracked her to the back of the cottage and onto a footpath up a hill. Where did she think she was going? Running away? No, she would not do that. After a brisk hike, she halted at the top. Kai watched her hug herself, staring off into the distance.
“Mother. Father,” she whispered, sounding desperate and heartbroken, “if ye are here with me, show me a sign.”
Her precious words struck his whole being, his heart heavy with the burden of her sadness. He gave her a moment, maybe gave her god a moment to answer her plea, and when nothing happened, when no answer came, Kai decided to be her miracle.
“Miran.”
She whirled about, holding the lantern higher. “K-Kai? What are ye doing here?”
“I woke early and decided to take a walk.”
“I doona know if I believe ye,” she said cautiously.
“Why not? Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?”
She sighed and set the lantern on the ground. “How much did ye overhear?”
“Enough.”
“Enough to think me daft?”
“Nay. Enough to think you more grief-stricken than I realized before.”
She looked away and wiped the tears from her eyes, which made Kai want to hold her, to banish the pain from her heart forever.
“I call out to my parents often enough,” she confessed. “When I am sure no one is about. I am afraid my secret is revealed now, though. Will ye tell anyone? Jamie? Helen?”
Not thinking clearly, he reached for her, his fingers trailing up her arm and to her shoulder. He pulled her close, and for a brief moment, she allowed her head to rest upon his chest. “Let me console you, Miran.”
But the stubborn girl jerked away, once again isolating herself. How often had he seen her be affectionate with anyone? The occasional hug with Helen or Jamie, a pat on the arm of a maid or two, but never intimate, never willingly exposed.
“Ye’ve violated my privacy, Captain—seen something no one ever should.”
“Twas a mere coincidence we crossed paths, Miran. I did not set out to find you here in the middle of the night. Do you expect me to allow you to wander in the dark alone, ever?”
“Nay.” It came out breathlessly.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Do I have a choice?” She’d turned her back to him, maybe to hide the tears in her eyes.
“Has your god ever answered your prayer?”
A breeze kicked up, and it lifted her long hair. Spun gold, soft and fragrant, he reached for it, touching a strand, tempted to touch more. But he withdrew his fingers.
“Once,” she said. “I was in the kirk alone, long after everyone had gone to sleep. I begged for a sign from my parents, wishing to know they were watching over me. After I finished praying, I found a bouquet of flowers on the bench behind me, tied together with a yellow ribbon, my favorite color.”
Kai realized then he had never met someone more alone in the world. Nor anyone as valiant. Though she hardly weighed anything, her slim shoulders held the weight of the world upon them, the extent of her grief. “I would give you so much, Miran…” For a moment he forgot himself, but quickly recovered, clamping his bloody mouth shut.
“What would ye give me that I don’t already have, Captain?” She turned toward him, pushing a stray hair out of her face. “Misery?”
“Never that.” He stepped closer, this time determined to kiss her.
