Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Annabeth moved with practiced ease, applying the poultice to Leon’s body with steady hands.
Leon sat propped up against the pillows, his once strong frame now weakened, but his eyes still sharp, watching her with a curious, appreciative gaze.
She dabbed a cloth to his forehead, offering him a warm, comforting smile.
“Ye’re lookin’ much better, sir. I think ye’ll be back on the castle grounds before too long. Perhaps a stroll in the meadows if ye take it slow."
Leon chuckled softly, his voice raspy but filled with warmth. “Aye, lass, yer care’s been a blessin’. I’d be near dead without ye.”
He studied her for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful as he added, “Ye’ve got a good heart, Annabeth. I willnae forget what ye’ve done for me.” His words lingered in the quiet room, and Annabeth felt a flush creep up her neck though she tried to mask it with a casual shrug.
“It’s naythin’, really,” Annabeth replied, her voice light as she worked. “I’m just doin’ what needs done. Glad I could help, Laird.” She stepped back, examining her handiwork with a critical eye before sighing in satisfaction. “But I’ll be leavin’ in a few days.”
Leon’s expression softened, a touch of regret crossing his face. “I’m sorry to hear that, Annabeth. Ye’ve been a breath of fresh air here. It’ll nae be the same without ye around.” He paused for a moment, looking out the window, and then added, “Ye’ve made a real difference.”
Annabeth smiled faintly though a pang of sadness tugged at her heart.
“I’ve had a good time here. More than I expected.
” She glanced down at her hands for a moment, unsure how to explain the strange bond she had formed with the place and its people.
“But aye, it’s time to move on,” she murmured quietly.
Leon’s eyes softened, and he reached out, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Ye’ve done much good here, Annabeth. I’ll miss ye, but I understand why ye must go.
We all have our own paths to follow.” His voice grew quieter, thoughtful, as he added, “The castle, the land, and the people—ye’ve made it all feel a bit more like home, lass. ”
Leon looked at Annabeth with a curious expression, his voice soft but probing. “Ye’ve mentioned yer healin’ before, lass, but never told me much about yer past. What was it like before ye came here?”
Annabeth paused, her hands stilling as she looked down at the cloth in her lap.
“It’s naythin’ grand, sir. I was raised in a small village with simple folk like me.
A woman named Claire found me when I was just a bairn.
She took me in, raised me as her own, taught me the ways of healers.
” She smiled faintly, her eyes distant as if remembering those days fondly.
“She is a great healer, one of the best. She kens her herbs, remedies, and all the ways to ease pain. She taught me all I ken."
Leon listened intently, his eyes soft with sympathy. “Aye, that sounds like a good life, Annabeth. Nay worries, nay troubles. Nay clans to lead or lands to worry over, just a simple life, focused on helpin’ others.”
Annabeth’s lips curved into a small, wistful smile. “Aye, it is ideal in its own way. Just me, Claire, and our little hut. We daenae need much, just each other and the land.” She met his gaze then, her eyes full of quiet contentment. “It was enough.”
At least it was until I met yer son.
“We may nae have clans to lead, but we do have other worries; the rent is always due,” she smiled.
For a moment she felt the full weight of being homesick settle on her shoulders. It had been long since she spoke to her mother or held her in an embrace. She knew it was time to go and see her. To get back to her calm life. The life she had before the storm that was known as Marcus Reid.
Annabeth swallowed hard, her chest tightening.
She’d come to care for them all more than she’d ever imagined, and the thought of leaving tugged painfully at her heart.
She gave Leon a small, reassuring smile, then stood to leave, turning toward the door with a final glance.
“I’ll make sure ye’re well enough before I go,” she said softly, as the weight of the decision settled heavily upon her.
Annabeth wandered through the corridors of the castle, her mind clouded with thoughts of Marcus.
It had been days since they had shared the warmth of each other’s company, and the absence felt like an ache in her chest. She tried to focus on the task at hand, but every corner, every room, reminded her of him.
Her feet carried her aimlessly, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.
“Elena,” Annabeth’s voice was a soft whisper, but Elena’s sharp eyes spotted her from down the hall.
Elena approached with a knowing look, pausing when she saw the troubled expression on Annabeth’s face.
“Ye seem lost in thought, lass,” she remarked, concern edging her words. “What’s weighin’ on yer mind?”
Annabeth sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she met Elena’s gaze.
“I daenae ken what to do, Elena,” she confessed, her voice tinged with frustration.
“Marcus has been on me mind day and night, and I’m leavin’ soon, but I cannae shake this feelin’.
I’ve never felt this way before, and it frightens me.
” She bit her lip, unsure of how much to reveal, but the truth spilled out in a rush.
Elena studied her, her brow furrowed in thought before her expression softened with understanding.
“Annabeth, ye’ve got to follow yer heart,” she advised, her voice gentle but firm.
“It’ll nae steer ye wrong. If yer heart is pullin’ ye toward the Laird, then ye’ve got to let it. Ye cannae let fear hold ye back.”
“But I’ve got nay place in his world,” Annabeth murmured, her hands twisting in the fabric of her dress. “I’m just a healer. I daenae belong with someone like Marcus.” She shook her head, her breath quickening as doubt crept in once more. “I cannae see a way forward.”
Elena stepped closer, placing a hand on Annabeth’s arm to steady her. “Ye think too much, lass,” she said softly. “Marcus may be a laird, but he’s a man too, with his own struggles and feelings. He willnae care what ye were born into. If ye care for him, there’s nay reason to let anythin’ stop ye.”
Annabeth met Elena’s gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty but a flicker of hope. “I think I do care for him,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. But I cannae tell if he feels the same.”
Elena smiled kindly, her expression reassuring. “Ye willnae ken until ye speak yer heart, Annabeth,” she said gently. “Daenae leave with doubt in yer heart. If ye love him, tell him. Ye may find what ye’ve been searchin’ for.”
Annabeth nodded slowly, a mix of fear and longing swirling inside her.
“I’ll think on it,” she replied though part of her knew it was time to face the truth.
She couldn’t keep running from her feelings.
With Elena’s encouragement, maybe, just maybe, she would finally find the courage to tell Marcus how she truly felt.
The hurried footsteps of a maid echoed through the hall as she passed by Annabeth and Elena, her face tight with worry.
She barely noticed them as she rushed, but Annabeth caught her arm.
“What’s wrong, lass?” Annabeth asked, concern rising in her voice.
The maid, breathless, turned to face her, her eyes wide with distress.
“The castle’s in an uproar,” the maid exclaimed, her hands wringing.
“Laird McArthur has arrived, and there’s a meetin’ between him and Laird McLennan in the great hall.
It’s all anyone’s talkin’ about, and nay one kens what’s goin’ on.
” Annabeth and Elena exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with unease.
“Thank ye for tellin’ me,” Annabeth said, her tone steady despite the concern growing within her. The maid nodded, quickly disappearing down the hallway as if her urgency had pulled her away. Annabeth and Elena stood in silence for a moment, both wondering what had brought the McArthur laird here.
“He must have come for a reason,” Elena muttered, her brow furrowing. “Perhaps somethin’ to do with the clan’s troubles?”
Annabeth nodded slowly, deep in thought. “Aye, could be. But what exactly does he want with Marcus?” she mused aloud, worry creeping into her voice. She felt an unease settle in her chest, a feeling she couldn’t quite shake.
Annabeth shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “Let’s nae fret over it just now,” she said, trying to focus. “I need to feed the fox. We’ll find out soon enough what’s goin’ on.” She motioned for Elena to follow her as she turned toward the stairs.
As they reached Annabeth’s room, the realization hit her like a cold wave. “I need more milk for the fox. I’ll just take it down to the kitchen and fetch some.”
Elena gave her a brief nod. “I need to get some work done.”
Annabeth smiled faintly, grateful for her friend’s calm presence, and slipped out of the room, fox in tow. The hallway seemed unusually silent as she made her way toward the kitchens.
The air grew colder the closer she got to the kitchen, the stone floors chill beneath her boots.
She could hear voices faintly as she approached, the hum of activity filling the space.
Annabeth quickly found the kitchen door ajar, and she entered, holding the fox close to her chest. The kitchen was bustling with servants, but Annabeth made her way to the supply cupboard to fetch the milk.
The sound of pots crashing onto the floor as a kitchen maid dropped them made the fox squirm in her arms. Then it leapt from her and scurried away.
“Come back!" She quickened her steps looking under the tables to search for it. The squeal of a maid in the distance forced her to go in that direction as she bit her lip knowing she was causing trouble.
Trouble that came from the direction of the meeting hall.