“And,” Iain continued, his tone turning faintly amused, “it would satisfy the Council.”
“That alone makes me suspicious,” Duncan huffed quietly.
Iain grinned. “Ye cannae deny that the timing is convenient.”
“A little too convenient if ye ask me.”
“Perhaps,” Iain said, folding the letter again. “But Laird Fraser has always been a practical man.”
He extended the parchment back across the writing table.
“And if his daughter was previously promised tae MacKenzie, this arrangement solves his problem as well.”
Duncan took the letter again, though he did not immediately unfold it.
“Ye sound rather eager.”
“I am a soldier,” Iain shrugged with a smile. “Alliances that strengthen the clan tend tae appeal tae me.”
Duncan stared at the seal pressed into the wax for a long moment.
“I cannae make this decision yet.”
Iain’s brows drew together. “Why nae?”
Duncan’s jaw tightened slightly. “Because…”
Slowly, understanding dawned on Iain’s face.
“The healer.”
Duncan did not bother denying it. Iain crossed his arms.
“That,” he said, “is nae the answer the Council will expect.”
“The Council is nae the one living with the consequences of the decision.”
“And Elaina is?”
Duncan exhaled slowly. “I dinnae yet ken what she is.”
Iain watched him carefully. “But ye intend tae find out.”
Duncan looked down at the letter again, and the parchment suddenly felt heavier in his hand.
“Aye,” he said quietly. Then he added, almost to himself, “I need time tae think.”
The castle was still sleeping when Elaina slipped quietly into the courtyard. The sky had only just begun to pale, and the first thin light of dawn was barely touching the edges of the hills beyond the walls. The air carried that particular chill that belonged to the hour before sunrise.
Most of the castle would not stir for another hour. That was precisely why she had gone there.
Elaina crossed the courtyard with careful steps, having her cloak wrapped tightly around her shoulders as she made her way toward the stables. A lantern hung near the entrance. She followed its dim flame, which was casting long golden shadows across the worn wooden doors.
Inside, the warm scent of hay and horse greeted her immediately. The quiet there was different from the stillness of her chamber. It was alive in soft breaths and the gentle shift of hooves against straw. She exhaled slowly, some small knot of tension inside her loosening at once.
“Aye,” she murmured softly to herself.
It felt familiar. Elaina moved deeper into the stable, running her fingers lightly along the wooden stall doors as she passed. A grey mare lifted her head curiously as Elaina approached, her ears flicking forward.
