“I also know ye love each other.”
“That’s not something I wish to discuss.”
Raini gave her a look of sympathy. “Ye hurt his heart, lass. Always saying how ye will leave. Never giving him a chance to show ye a reason to stay.”
“But…”
“Adam is torn between two possibilities now. His future with ye or the one where his father stays in power.”
Kali glanced at the floor, knowing Raini was correct. “I’m prideful.”
“I know.”
“Stubborn.”
“Aye,” the old woman agreed.
“Unworthy of his devotion.”
“Nay.” Raini moved closer to Kali. “Ye are worthy of each other. ’Tis not easy to surrender yerself to love.”
“Love?”
“Do ye deny it?”
“I choose to say nothing,” Kali insisted.
Raini grinned at her. “Ye love his kisses.”
“Ye are a wicked woman, Raini.”
“Ye are already snared by his charm and affection. His kindness. One taste is too much. I suffered the same fate with honey cakes. One taste…”
It was Kali’s turn to laugh now. How quickly her new friend could make her feel better. “I am afraid Master Adam is more tempting than a honey cake.”
“Aye.” The elder woman nodded. “Doona be too hard on yerself or the lad. Lovers with strong wills always wrestle for dominance—to find their rightful places in each other’s hearts. It is not Adam ye should fear, lass. His sire has gone mad, I think. The past is now catching up with his mind. Regret poisoning a once-settled heart. It happens to all guilty men eventually. And he’ll either seek salvation or destroy himself. I am in favor of the latter.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.”
“Is it?”
“Ye harbor ill will for the laird?”
“Only because he changed the course of me life so long ago…” Raini peered off in the distance, a sadness coming over her.
“But why did ye stay here if the man hurt ye?”
“Women such as me are not often given choices in life. Ye should know that.”
“Oh, I do.” Kali frowned at the emotions overwhelming her. Memories that she’d never escape.
“Before the laird married, I came to these lands as a young healer.”
Kali took the woman’s hand as she continued her tale.
“As luck would have it, the clan needed a healer, so the laird offered me a seat at his table—a bed to sleep in—command of his gardens. I couldna believe me good fortune, so I accepted his generosity. But I would soon find out that everything Laird MacKay offered came with a price.”
“No…” Kali wanted to hug her as tight as she could. “Tell me, dearest Raini…”
