Page 19

“I like daeing a lot of things. I hae a position at the castle where I can look out upon the world for miles and miles. I can see tae the farthest horizon.”

“That sounds interesting. And dae ye gae out there at all tae explore?”

Alec shook his head. “That’s far tae dangerous. Besides, I would nae be able tae get very far on account of my leg. I also enjoy reading as well. Da taught me tae read when I was very young, and we hae amassed a collection of books that would be the envy of any clan,” he boasted. He tried to puff out his chest, but there was so little muscle mass it really didn’t have any effect.

“I see. Is there anything else?” Fiona asked, for sitting at a window and reading did not suggest their lives together would be active and fun.

“Nae really. What about ye?” he asked.

“I enjoy being out in the world and exploring. I also like tae train my skills as a warrior. I’m sure ye hae heard about our group of female warriors?” she asked. This time, it was her turn to let pride enter her voice.

“I hae indeed.” Alec shuddered as he spoke. “Thankfully, there’s no need for ye tae dae that with us. Our clan is nicely tucked away, and we dinnae get much trouble at all. I daresay ye will never hae tae pick up a sword again in yer life.”

“I’m sure I will still hae the ability tae train,” Fiona said, but again, Alec shook his head.

“Surely ye will be tae busy raising the children tae dae that. I hae always wanted a big family,” he said, leering at her. The longer he looked at her, the more his eye began to twitch, and she found herself shuddering. The thought of being close to this man, of having his bony, pale body smothered against her, filled her with revulsion, and she had to force herself to look away from him.

“At least there is plenty of nature around tae enjoy. Perhaps I could take long walks around the forest? It haes been a while since I hae visited the Fletcher clan. Is there any beauty tae be found like there is here?” she asked, gesturing with a hand to indicate the local flora and fauna.

“If ye would care tae, but the land can be harsh. Our forests are nae like yer forests. Some say that there was a curse placed upon the land generations ago by a witch who was spurned by one of my ancestors. The ground is dry, the trees thin and grey, and the mountains loom large in the distance. It is nae filled with color like yer home here. But I’m sure ye will get used tae it. I like tae believe it haes a certain charm of its own,” Alec said.

Fiona bowed her head because she didn’t want Alec to see the dismayed expression on her face. Everything she heard about this man and the place she was destined to spend her life in seemed horrid, but no matter how much she tried to think of a way out, she could not find one.

“Are ye well, Fiona?” Alec inquired, for she was silent for a long while and had not moved.

Fiona sniffed back her sorrow and blinked away a tear before she lifted her head to look up at him again. “I am indeed. I just find this all overwhelming. It is a big change.”

“Aye, it is at that. Ye know, my da haes tried tae arrange a marriage for me before, but none of them hae ever gone through. I thought I might hae tae live my life alone, but now ye hae come along, and I could nae be happier. I’m sure we are gaeing tae hae a good life, Fiona.”

It almost broke her heart how sure he was of this. She started to imagine that there was something wrong with her. Everyone else believed this was a wonderful idea that had no bad consequences at all, but in her heart, there was nothing but a sense that she wanted to flee. Even though the temptation was there, she could not bring herself to do that to her father. The duty and responsibility that she felt for her family was such that she wanted to stay true to her obligations, even if she did not agree with them.

“If ye dinnae mind, I would like tae spend some time alone now, just tae compose myself,” she said.

Alec nodded and rose from the table, although he had to put his weight on it to maintain his balance. Fiona left him and walked outside, darting away from the crowd that was still gathered in the main area of the village. She walked away toward the stables where she hoped she could be alone.

But when she arrived, she realized she wasn’t alone.

Varrik was standing there.

Varrik’s heart had been conflicted ever since he learned of the betrothal. Fiona had made something stir within his heart, but perhaps he should have known it was too foolish to pursue something with her because her position was such a precious one. He laughed to himself as he watched her future husband stagger out of the carriage and walk toward her. He was more like half a man, without an ounce of vigor in his body. In a way, Varrik pitied her because he knew this man was never going to be Fiona’s equal. He wondered if he should have made his feelings plain before, but then again, she had been so standoffish with him that he could never be sure his advances would be rebuffed. There had been moments they shared, but they had only been moments, nothing more. And now they were nothing but memories.

He could only take so much of being around the crowd as they celebrated the happy occasion, and he wanted to stay away from Lotta as much as possible. He didn’t have anything much against the girl, but she was far too enthusiastic and wanted to follow him around like a lost puppy. When Fiona left, he did as well, retreating to the stables to be alone with his thoughts.

Coming to this place had not worked out as he had hoped. He thought he would have had the chance to prove himself again, but it seemed as though he simply had to work. He supposed that at least his marriage to Lotta would give the Vikings legitimacy within the clan, and he would have a voice, ensuring that his people would not be treated as mere workers, but still…he was wary of the future.

Varrik was shaken from his thoughts as he heard footsteps approach. A figure approached from around the corner of the stables and then stopped abruptly. Varrik straightened his posture, for it was Fiona. The two of them hadn’t had a chance to speak with each other privately since they had been betrothed to different people.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. You seem to have disappeared entirely,” he said.

“I… I hae been preparing for the wedding,” Fiona said in a faltering tone. Her face looked ashen, and if there was one thing Varrik could say about her, it was that she did not look exciting for the wedding at all.

“I did see you go away with your husband earlier. I take it all went well?” he asked.

Fiona turned away from him and leaned against the stable wall.

“What’s the point in lying tae ye, Varrik? He’s nae what I want at all. The life he wants for us…it’s nae what I imagined. But what can I dae?”

“You could run.”