With Rhian’s support and moving like an old woman, Saerla rose from the bed. She felt like she’d been thrashed from head to foot. The Vision had stolen all her strength.
“Please, Saerla, rest a bit longer before ye ask me to send for him. Regain yer strength. Let me mix ye a draught—”
“Will that help me feel stronger?”
“It well may.”
“Verra well, then.”
“And wait another day—”
“Rhian, I dare no’.”
“But—”
“I dare no’. What if Moira should muster out today?”
They stared once more into each other’s eyes. Rhian nodded. “Aye, sister, as ye wish.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“My sister asksto see ye.”
Rory, hearing the words, rose from the bench where he sat, as if drawn up by strings. The night had been endless, and he’d known no sleep. Even after Leith left, he’d paced his study while pain from the hole in his back gnawed at him with sharp teeth, and the hole in his heart…
Now, when he could pace no longer, Rhian MacBeith appeared at his door standing like an avenging angel with her head high and her eyes fierce and bright.
She hated delivering the words, that was evident. She did not want him anywhere near her sister.
Let her try to keep him away.
“Mistress Saerla—she is recovered?”
“She will no’ be recovered for some time. She asks to see ye regardless.”
“Has she said what knowledge it brought to her, this Vision?” He’d pondered that all night also. Terrible, heavy knowledge it must be.
“Nay. She will no’ tell even me.” Rhian’s chin jerked up another notch. “Will ye come?”
“Aye, I will.”
He trotted after her, new emotions replacing those that had dogged him all night. Doubt and regret were pushed out by a measure of hope and an unreasonable euphoria. She wanted to see him.Him. But why?
His chamber lay not far away. He’d traveled the distance many times in his mind during the night. Imagined himself demanding entry to the chamber where Saerla lay. Being sent away again in disgust.
No guard stood outside the door. He’d forgotten to assign one. Not even Leith was there. Rhian turned and faced him, her expression fierce.
“Ye will no’ harm her. Lest ye will deal wi’ me.” Not an avenging angel, nay, but a protective mother.
“I will no’ harm her.”
“And ye will no’ try to send me awa’. I stay wi’ her, aye?”
“Aye.”
Satisfied, she opened the door.
Light flooded the chamber, glorious morning light. Rory had to narrow his eyes against it. From out of the radiance stepped Saerla MacBeith.
