Page 63 of Fire in his Highland Heart

He arose before dawn, after what little sleep he got, dressed himself, and tiptoed down the corridor and into Mirellain’s room. His little treasure was still fast asleep, breathing peacefully, her blonde curls a frizzy mess covering her chubby face. He brushed the hair away from her forehead, careful not to wake her, and pressed a gentle kiss.

“I’ll be back soon, dear one. I promise,” he whispered.

No matter what conniving tricks Cataline had up her sleeve, Blake was determined that he would be back to hold his daughter once again.

Upon arriving at the stables, Blake was surprised to see James already there. Usually on missions like this, he’d have to drag James out of bed. The blond looked a little bedraggled, no doubt from his earlier illness, but ready nonetheless.

“Dinnae tell me ye didnae sleep either,” Blake quipped.

James yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Nay. Not well. I dinnae think this journey bodes well for us,” he answered.

Blake was nervous too, although he would not admit it to his friend. These were different nerves. It was not that cold feeling before the rush of adrenaline running into battle, nor the giddy fluttering in one’s stomach upon seeing one’s lover. This felt more like dread; like that apprehension before entering a dark wood with no idea what sort of enemy waited on the other side. He’d been in enough situations like that to know how it felt. Not knowing how they would be received was the worst part. What if they were seized immediately and thrown into the dungeons at Bruckstone?

Blake shook his head as he saddled his horse. Now he was getting irrational. And pathetic—he’d sworn to protect Arguen, Mirellain, and all his people the best he could. There was no time for doubt.

He and James finished saddling the horses and packing their belongings in silence. When they were ready to leave, they rode out through the meadows close to the edge of the forest where Arguen’s cottage lay.

Blake was a little dismayed at not seeing a lantern in the window or any sign of life from the side of the small dwelling. Surely, if Arguen were to go with him, she would be expecting them, would she not? It was still dark out—dawn was just about to break—but perhaps she was still sleeping.

“Ye did tell her today was the day, nay?” James asked.

Blake only grunted in response as he dismounted. What if she did want to come? Perhaps he should knock on her door…

When he rounded the corner, he was genuinely surprised to see Arguen standing at her doorway, fully dressed, a cap covering her silver hair, and a rucksack slung over her shoulder.

Neither of them spoke for a moment as they sized each other up.

“I half-expected ye tae not join us,” Blake remarked. In another time, the words might have come out smug with a bit of a sneer, but now they were soft.

“I’m done runnin’. Done lettin’ other people tell me on what terms tae live me life. ‘Tis time I stood up for myself.” This was a strength in her he had not seen before. He knew she was strong, of course—only the strongest and gentlest of persons would nurse someone back to health day and night—but this was resolute. Even the way she stood was taller, and her voice sounded more confident, like a queen. It made him feel giddy.

“Right, well. Ye can ride wi’ me. We’ll go fast an’ reach yer old home in three days.”

“Whatever it takes. I’m ready,” she announced.

Tired as he was, James smiled at her strength. Blake helped her mount the horse, and the three of them rode off at the crack of dawn, ready to right some wrongs.

* * *

The journey itself was not horrible. Arguen was still wary of the moors and then the forest, but this time, she was with two other people. Company made it all the better. The couple nights they made camp, the three of them slept separately in different spots around the fire, and took watch in shifts. Arguen felt a little awkward, and she wondered if James felt the tension. Or if he knew what had transpired between her and Blake. But he said nothing the whole time and was often the first one to fall asleep.

“I’m still sorry,” Blake said softly one night. The embers of the campfire cast an eerie glow across his face, making his handsome features look perhaps a bit haunted.

“Oh, aye?” she whispered back.

“Aye. I just want tae see ye happy an’ safe again. An’ I wish tae be in yer good graces again.”

Arguen took a deep sigh, careful not to inhale the smoke of the fire. She’d had a lot of time to think during the day’s ride. There wasn’t much talking involved, with the wind howling on the moors or the galloping hooves of the horses. And it wasn’t as if she could keep herself occupied with healing or sewing.

“I forgive you,” she said in a small voice.

Blake’s dark eyes widened, and for a moment, it looked like he was considering jumping over the fire to embrace her. James stirred in his sleep at that moment, however, so they both froze until it looked as if James had settled once again.

“Ye do?” Blake whispered.

“Aye,” she answered. “Any man willin’ tae ride across the moors tae clear a disgraced woman’s name an’ confront his past is a strong man, one worth keeping.”

“I’m glad ye feel that way,” he whispered. He looked rather like a lovesick puppy. “I dinnae want tae lose ye.”