Her eyes dropped to her hands as she lifted the ale. It was as if she had forgotten that she still held it and shook her head. She held out her hand so he could take the skin back and secure it to his side.
“If yer thirst needs quenching at any time whilst we travel, ye only need let me ken and we will stop.”
Alana didn’t answer, only looked off through the trees.
He sighed and held his hand out in front of him, signaling the direction they needed to continue in.
“Is that water I hear? Crashing aboot it sounds like.” Alana asked.
“Aye. ’Tis falls that are no’ too far from here.”
“Falls?” She questioned.
“Aye. The Falls of Fae arenae far from here. The water passing over them is strong which is why ye can hear it at this distance. Would ye like to see them?” The question left his lips afore he could stop them. He wanted to kick himself. Whilst he had resigned himself to the fact that they were taking longer to arrive at the MacDonell clan than he had anticipated, veering off path to visit the falls was more time wasted than he wanted.
“What a unique name.”
“They are legendary. The fae have spent centuries watching o’er the falls. ’Tis said at cert times of the year one can get close enough to the fae here that ye can see them.”
“Have ye e’er seen them?”
He shook his head and chuckled. “I havenae. Though I have been here oft enough. I guess I dinnae have the right qualities they seek.”
Her forehead crinkled in confusion. “They seek something?”
“Mostly, they want to be left alone. They seek the peace and quiet of the land. But they enjoy offerings. Flowers, stones, baubles. They take them back to their palace to decorate its walls.”
Alana’s breath hitched. “Have ye seen their castle?”
“Nay. I have no’ been blessed enough to be granted that luxury.”
“Then how do ye ken it truly exists?”
He hadn’t realized the fae would have enraptured Alana so. Did they not have fae in the lowlands? He had never thought about it, but it seemed they would be in all locations. Whilst the highlands offered much protection, it surely could not be the only place they were found.
“I have heard the tales. They are passed on from generation to generation.”
She cocked her head to the side as she studied him, her lips pressed together. “I think I would like to see,” she said finally after a long silence.
“We are a little higher than the mid-way point of the falls. The true magic is seen from the top. This way.”
He led them through the thick trees, slowly climbing higher and higher. He didn’t have his climbing gear, and even if he had, Alana was ill-equipped to partake in such a feat, especially with the wounds on her feet, so he slowly circled them up and around, taking them even longer.
“Almost there,” Rory announced as they emerged from the trees. The sounds of rushing water filled the air around them. “We just need to make our way over this ledge and then ye will see the most breathtaking sight ye have e’er laid yer eyes upon,” he promised.
Her gaze went to the high ledge and he could see the uncertainty in her eyes. “Dinnae fash. I will help ye climb it.”
She gave a subtle shake of her head.
“I have climbed it many a time. ’Tis no’ as difficult as it appears. I’ll show ye.” He clasped her hand and pulled her forward, ignoring theheat that emanated up his wrist and arm from their entwined fingers. “Look,” he pointed to the ledge. “There are notches in the rock that make it easy to climb. Ye are only a few steps away from the top.”
“There must be another way to get to the top,” she stated, and Rory shook his head.
“Nay, this is the only way.” He shifted so he could look her in the eyes. “I promise ye I willnae let any harm come to ye. All will be well, I assure ye” He caressed her hand with the pad of his thumb.
He didn’t understand why he cared so much whether or not she made the climb. But he found himself holding his breath as he waited for her answer.
The corners of his mouth lifted when she finally nodded.
