Chapter 12
Elodie woke with a hangover. She opened her eyes and groaned, pressing a hand against her forehead. Oh hell. Why had she drunk so much mead last night?
Because you were having fun, she answered herself. And also, you’re an idiot.
She had no idea what time the celebrations had finished. Late. It was full dark by the time she’d staggered back to her mattress in Faye’s little cottage and passed out fully dressed.
She was paying for it now with a thumping head and roiling stomach.
But even this couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face as she remembered Ronan’s kiss.
It had taken her completely by surprise and yet it had felt like the most natural thing in the world.
A tingle went through her as she remembered the taste of his lips on hers, the feel of his hands on her waist.
It had been over far too quickly for her liking.
Ronan had not rejoined the celebrations but he’d sent a message to say all was well following his scouting mission and that he was going to keep watch on the perimeter.
She’d been disappointed that he’d not returned. Maybe that was why she’d drunk so much.
With an effort, she struggled into a sitting position. The room swayed around her and she groaned.
I am never, ever, drinking again.
“Come on,” Elodie said to herself. “Get moving.” With a whimper for her aching head, she clambered to her feet.
The wedding decorations were coming down by the time she staggered into the clearing.
Like her, people were moving a little more slowly than usual.
The whole settlement carried the atmosphere that usually followed a successful celebration: slightly tired, slightly hungover, but pleasantly satisfied.
Bran and Skye suddenly came crashing through the brush. The dogs skidded to a halt before her, tails wagging, tongues lolling, way too enthusiastic to Elodie’s way of thinking.
She crouched to scratch behind their ears. “You two are trouble, you know that?”
“Aye, they know that, and I’m pretty sure they are damned proud of the fact,” said a voice behind her.
Elodie’s stomach fluttered as she turned to face Ronan. His sleeves were rolled up, his hair slightly disheveled. He was unshaven and the morning sunlight caught the auburn strands in his strawberry blond hair.
“You know what they say about dogs,” Elodie said, cocking her head. “They take after their owners.”
Ronan snorted. “Is that so? Then what does that say about me?”
“That you’re trouble. Definitely trouble.”
He smiled softly and his gaze went out of focus. Was he remembering the kiss? She certainly was. In fact, she could suddenly think of nothing else. She felt again the touch of his hands on her back, the soft feel of his lips on hers. She felt—
“Ronan?” a voice said suddenly. “A word, if ye please?”
Faye was walking towards them. The healer’s face was expressionless although to Elodie’s mind, she looked annoyed, although with Faye it was often hard to tell the difference.
Ronan’s jaw tightened at the sight of her. “What can I do for ye, Faye?”
The healer glanced at Elodie. “In private maybe?”
“Here’s just fine.”
Faye fixed him with a glare. “Fine. Ye know why I’ve come. Ye canna keep putting this off, Ronan.”
He scrubbed a hand through his hair, looked away, then sighed. “I dinna wish to have this conversation again.”
“Do ye not? Then today just isnae yer day. Because we are going to have it.”
Elodie looked between the two of them, wondering what was going on.
“The danger is getting closer,” Faye said. “If last night is anything to go by.”
Last night? Elodie thought. What about last night? His message said everything was fine. Had something happened that he’d not told her about?
“I handled it,” Ronan growled.
“This time.” Faye’s gaze hardened. “What about next time? How many warnings do ye need? Will someone have to get seriously hurt before ye act?”
“What exactly do ye want from me?” Ronan growled, temper flaring. “I’ve done all I can!”
Faye wasn’t in the least intimidated by his anger. “No. Ye havenae. There is still one thing ye could do and we both know it.”
The words seemed to hit him like a punch to the stomach. He turned away. “No.”
“Ronan—”
“I said no!” His yell echoed through the clearing. “I left all that behind! We agreed long ago that this would be a place where a person’s past doesnae matter.”
“Aye, but there is one crucial difference isnae there?” Faye snapped back. “Ye have a past that could save us all!”
Ronan glared at her but Faye glared right back, tension crackling in the air between them. For a second, neither spoke. Then Ronan turned and marched away, the dogs racing behind.
Faye stared after him. “Bloody stupid, stubborn man,” she muttered under her breath. Then she stomped off in the other direction.
Elodie was left alone in the clearing, wondering what the hell she’d just witnessed. What had Faye been talking about? And why had it angered Ronan so much? She hesitated, wondering if she should go after Faye or Ronan.
She chose Ronan.
She was puffing for breath by the time she caught up with him out in the woods that bordered the Steading. He must have heard her coming but he didn’t slow until she ran up behind him and grabbed his arm.
“Wait!”
Reluctantly, he came to a halt and turned to face her. Anger flashed in his blue eyes.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Really? Because you don’t look it. What happened last night? You said everything was okay.”
“It was. There were some people at the waymeet, that’s all.”
“More refugees?”
He shook his head. “No.” He hesitated. “They were part of the same group that attacked Thomas in the woods. They work for a Lord and Lady Murdoch. They’re looking for the Steading.”
Elodie sucked in a breath. “Shit.”
“Aye. Shite. That’s an apt word.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Is that what you and Faye were arguing about?”
He let out his breath in a long sigh. “Sort of. Not about the threat itself, but what she wants me to do about it. I’m sorry ye had to see us arguing.”
Elodie crossed her arms. “So am I. But it sounded like one you’ve had before.”
“Aye. It was. We disagree on the best way to keep our people safe. She wants me to do something that I have no intention of doing.”
Elodie waited, but Ronan didn’t elaborate. It seemed he had no intention of explaining to her either. “Do you think these people will find the Steading?”
His eyes flashed. “Not while I live and breathe they willnae.”
Why didn’t you tell me about this? she wanted to ask. And why didn’t you come back to the celebrations after our kiss?
But she didn’t ask either question. Instead, she decided on a safer subject. She gestured at the path ahead. “Where are you going?”
“I was headed to the northern watch post.”
“Fancy some company?”
He gave a wry smile. “Aye. I would.”
They set off walking, slower this time. The morning was cool and clear with a brisk wind that carried the scent of rain and helped to blow away the last of Elodie’s hangover. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable and Elodie found herself enjoying simply walking beside him.
Eventually she glanced at him sideways. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves yesterday.”
Ronan nodded. “They did. Ye were right: it was what everyone needed.”
“Haven’t you realized by now that I’m always right?”
He laughed lightly. “Aye, I think I’m beginning to figure that out.”
“Good! You’re learning.”
Neither of them mentioned the kiss they’d shared although it lurked beneath every word and gesture.
“How is the villagers’ training coming along?” she asked.
Ronan kicked at a pebble. “Better than I expected. They’re quick learners, especially Sarah and David. I think our newlyweds are in competition with each other. I’m glad ye talked me into training them all.”
“Actually, about that,” Elodie said, tapping her lip with one finger. “I’ve been thinking.”
Ronan raised an eyebrow at her. “Why am I suddenly worried?”
“If those Murdoch people—or anyone else for that matter—finds the valley we need more warning.”
His expression grew thoughtful. “Aye.”
“The guards are well placed.” She pointed in the direction of the two entrances to the valley. “But if we moved this position slightly and added another lookout here—”
She crouched and sketched markings in the dirt with a stick. Ronan crouched beside her close enough that their shoulders almost touched.
Elodie pointed at the rough map. “The first guard signals the second. The second signals the third. The third alerts the Steading.”
“Ye mean a relay.”
She nodded. “It would give more warning.”
He studied the sketch then looked at her. “That’s a fine idea, lass.” Ronan stood, offered his hand, and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll speak to the lads tonight, implement yer plan.”
Elodie nodded and they continued walking. The morning was still. Peaceful, even. Yet as she glanced towards the head of the valley, a shiver walked down her spine. What would happen if the Murdochs found the Steading? If what they’d done to Thomas was any indication, nothing good, that’s for sure.
Ronan followed her gaze. “When I came here, I wanted to leave my old life behind. No fighting. No feuds. No expectations. Just...peace.”
Elodie studied him. “Was it really that bad? Your old life, I mean?”
For a long moment he said nothing and Elodie feared he wouldn’t answer. But then he shrugged.
“No. That’s the strange thing. It was a good life. I had my family. My home. My future. Everything was laid out in front of me.”
Elodie could see the tension in the way the skin tightened around his eyes. It was only a tiny thing and yet she noticed it anyway. How was it that she was beginning to know him so well in so short a space of time?
“But something changed?” she prompted softly.
“Aye, something changed.”
Elodie’s chest ached at the sight of his pain. She didn’t ask any more questions. She just waited, giving Ronan the space to speak if he chose to and respecting his choice if he did not.