“While I run a sword through his gut,” Leeth added with a grin.
Aunt Edna hit him on the shoulder, but he only captured her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. “Go tae him,” Leeth said. “I can protect yer aunt and yer sisters just fine.”
“I want ye tae be happy,” her aunt added, giving Finley a smile. “And if that means I lose ye, then I am ready tae suffer that hurt. Yer happiness means far more than any position ever will, Finley.”
Finley wiped the tears falling from her eyes and gave her aunt’s hand one last squeeze. “Then I will go tae the McGregor clan,” she announced, her voice trembling at the thought. “And see wot Erik wants.”
After a round of embraces and kisses from her family, Finley raced upstairs to her chamber and packed enough items to get her through several days. She was going to really do this. She was going after Erik.
When Finley emerged in the great hall once more, her aunt was there to hand her a supply of food and drink. “Be careful,” she said, hugging her tightly. “I cannae lose ye.”
“I will,” Finley promised her. “Thank ye for understanding.”
Aunt Edna pulled back to wipe the tears from Finley’s cheeks. “Och, none of that! I dinnae know if I have ever told ye how much ye remind me of yer mam. She would have wanted ye tae do the same, to go after wot makes ye happy.”
Finley just nodded at her aunt and walked outside, where Leeth was waiting with her horse. “Take care of yerself,” he grunted as Finley tied her pack to the horse’s saddle. “Dinnae forget yer training if ye come upon some ruffians.”
Finley tapped the sword strapped to her back. “I wilnae forget.”
He cleared his throat, and before she knew what he was doing, he was embracing her as well. “I will take care of her,” he said softly in her ear. “I love ye, Finley.”
Tears sprung to her eyes once more. “I love ye too, Leeth, and I am proud tae have ye in mah family.” He had always been there anyway. It was just a matter of time before he became a permanent part.
The warrior stepped back, and Finley mounted her horse, giving the couple a fond farewell before riding out of the courtyard. She was going to do this. She was going to find her love, the Scot that made her happy, and hope that he wanted the same from her.
If he didn’t, well, she would be crushed.
Her aunt was right. The second-in-command position wasn’t making her happy, nor would it unless she knew that Erik no longer wanted her as his. She had tried to find the happiness in what she was doing, but nothing had made her feel the way he had.
Night fell before Finley was able to get too far, and she shook her head as she came upon the abandoned hut where her first interaction with Erik had been. She looked up at the tree that had started it all and gave it a little smirk. Normally she didn’t like to be caught off guard like that, but that trap had given her something far more precious than she could have ever gained on her own. If she hadn’t met Erik in such a manner, Finley didn’t think she would have given him a second glance on her own.
It was funny how things had turned out.
After lighting a fire and eating her meager meal, Finley stretched out in the shadow of the hut’s walls and looked up at the canopy of trees, finding the stars between their leafy branches. She was almost asleep when she heard the telltale crush of the leaves under the weight of someone. Finley reached for the sword that lay beside her, carefully drawing it out of its scabbard. Whoever was attempting to sneak up on her would find themselves at the end of her sword.
The dying fire provided truly little visibility as Finley lay there, clasping her sword to her chest and waiting for the opportune moment to let her visitor know she wasn’t some helpless lass in the midst of the wood.
No, she was stronger than that, and nothing was going to stop her from reaching her destination.
When the invader drew close, Finley pressed the sword against their leg, right where she knew one swipe would have them bleeding out in minutes. “Not another step further,” she growled. “Unless ye wish tae be a eunuch.”
A low, familiar chuckle filled her ears. “Och, lass, ye dinnae want tae do that.”
“Erik?”
