“Come in,” came Evander’s deep voice.
She moved forward, almost without conscious thought. A cosy room awaited her, warm from the fire, with a table laden for supper. It was nothing like the long, grand tables in the Great Hall. This table was large enough for four, maybe six people. Currently, it was set for three.
Evander stood by the curtained window, sipping what seemed to be whiskey.
“Ye took yer time,” he observed.
She bit her lip. “Am I late?”
“I didnae give ye a time to be here, so nay, ye arenae late. However, Ididgive yer maither a time to arrive, and that time was ten minutes ago.”
Skye winced. “It always takes her too long to get anywhere. She forgets that she cannae walk as fast as others.”
“Well, that I can forgive. Sit down; we’ll begin. Or else the food will get cold.”
There was no seat at the head of the table, so she nervously took a chair at random, hoping that she hadn’t taken Evander’s seat.
He said nothing, sitting silently beside her. That left the opposite chair, waiting for Helena.
In the ensuing silence, Skye’s stomach rumbled.
Evander bit back a smile. “Eat, woman. Ye are hungry. There’s food.Eat.”
With a wry chuckle, Skye reached out for the roast chicken, twisting off a thigh. Grease ran over her fingers, but she found that she didn’t care. She sunk her teeth into it, the crispy skin crunching between her teeth. The meat was delicate, well-cooked, and carefully flavored, and she closed her eyes, chewing in bliss.
When was the last time I ate well?
It didn’t matter because she was eating wellnow.
She spooned potatoes onto her plate, along with glossy, crunchy roasted vegetables cooked in meat juice. There was bread, too, and she sawed off a hunk of it to mop up the juices. A sloshing sound caught her attention, and she glanced up to find Evander filling her goblet with wine.
Abruptly, she froze, aware of how she must look—lips glistening with juices, cheeks bulging with food.
She swallowed thickly, set down the gnawed chicken bone, and delicately picked up a napkin.
Evander gave a hoot of delight, clapping his thigh. “Come on, lass, daenae go all ladylike on me now! I was just starting to think that ye would finish this feast all by yerself and leave only bones.”
She reddened. “I was hungry.”
“Daenae apologize. I am glad ye are eating well. A good appetite is a sign that ye are recovering. Ye can eat as much as ye want, and drink as much, too. Although Leah doesnae approve of over-indulgence in liquor,” he added wryly.
Skye bit back a smile. “Aye, I think I remember that. She doesnae drink alcohol herself, is that right?”
“Aye, it is. Ye are remembering more things, then.”
She nodded thoughtfully, beginning to eat again but at a slower pace.
Evander grabbed a knife and sawed off a piece of roast pork for himself, plopping it onto his plate along with some vegetables and bread.
“I’m sure there are things I am missing,” she murmured. “After me kidnapping, for example. I’m sure there’s something, but I cannae quite reach it.”
“It will come in time,” he promised. “All we must do is wait.”
The door creaked open, and they both glanced up to find a servant hovering in the doorway.
“Forgive me, me Laird, but I bring a message from Lady Helena. She’s unwell and will dine in her rooms tonight.”
Evander frowned. “Does she need a healer?”
