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“It appears you are not the only one awake past the time you should be.”

Despite his worry for Allie, Reid stopped to answer the priest.

“And what of you, Father Simon? Lurking in the shadows as usual, I see?” Reid scanned the courtyard as if she might appear from the darkness.

“Looking for someone?”

Reid was never sure how he did it, but Father knew everything, from what to do about the flowers that failed to sprout in the spring to what decisions Toren had made. Sometimes it seemed like he knew before the chief himself.

He did not want the answer, but he asked the question anyway.

“She’s gone, isn’t she?”

Father Simon frowned, giving Reid an all-too-familiar look.

Reid sighed loudly and crossed his arms. “Just once save your lecture—”

“That you would ask such a question tells me you know even less than I’d expected.”

“A riddle—”

“No riddle, Reid. An observation.” Father Simon’s lips pursed before he spoke again. “Why do you believe she is gone?”

The priest had the answer he sought, of that there was no doubt.

“Can we play after you tell me whether Allie is still here at Brockburg?”

Father Simon just stared at him, his lack of an answer enough of an answer.

“Very well.” He thought about the question for a moment and then shrugged. “I know not why.”

“Consider the question more carefully.”

If any other man suggested such a thing, Reid would walk away. But he’d not insult Father Simon that way, even if every muscle in his body tensed and he wanted nothing more than to continue looking for Allie himself.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “Going to the Day of Truce.”

“And that is why you believe she left?”

In fact, no.

“Perhaps she changed her mind,” he said, more hesitantly.

“About marrying you?”

“Aye,” he ventured.

“And why do you believe she may have changed her mind?”

“Father, I would really like to know—”

“If Lady Allie is still here at Brockburg. I know, son. And I have your answer. But first, tell me, why do you believe she may have changed her mind?”

Reid began to think of the reasons why, but entertaining such thoughts was too painful. Instead, he answered glibly, “Because I would have if given the opportunity.”

Father hated when Reid used that tone, but what else could he do? He simply wanted to know if she had gone back, and if so, with whom.

“She is in the training yard.”