“Why? Cause ye’re a man? I am a proud strong woman, and I will do as I see fit if a friend is in danger. Today, that friend was Elena, and if it bothers ye so much, ye can always send me back home.” Her eyes flashed with anger.
Marcus looked at her trembling lips, p cupped her chin with his hand, and held it, fighting the urge to kiss those trembling lips. But he realized that she was right. She had a trying day, and now, he was putting more strain on her.
“We leave at dawn tomorrow,” he said. He turned on his heels and left her room with his appetite for her stronger than ever.
The next morning, Marcus made his way down the stone corridors of the castle to his father’s chambers. His mind still lingered on the events from the previous night, but he knew he needed to focus on the task at hand. His father, Leon, was bedridden, but Marcus had never stopped checking on him, no matter how busy he was. As he approached the door, he knocked softly, pushing it open when he heard his father’s voice.
“Ah, Marcus,” Leon said, his voice hoarse but warm, “ye’ve come to check on yer old da again, I see. Sit, lad, sit. I’ve nay need to be alone today.”
Marcus frozen in the door. His father was walking around the room. Slowly but walking.
“Faither, ye stand and walk? Ye should be in bed.”
“Aye, look at me son. ’Tis that Annabeth; she has done wonders. I followed her orders, and I've been better day by day. Soon I'll be able to leave me chambers and walk the castle, perhaps join ye for supper.”
Marcus hugged his father firmly. “’Tis the greatest of news. A miracle.”
“Nae, ’tis Annabeth.”
“Aye, Annabeth…” Marcus said.
“I ken that look. Sit, and tell me what ails ye,” Leon commanded.
Marcus took a seat, his brow furrowed as he spoke. “I’m leavin’ today for Galton,” he said, his voice serious. “The folk there have fallen ill, and I’ll be takin’the healer with me to tend to them. Annabeth.”
Leon raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with mischief despite his weakened state. “Aye, the healer, eh? She’s a bonnie lass,” he observed with a knowing smile.
Marcus stiffened slightly, surprised by his father’s words. “I’ve nae noticed,” he replied stiffly though his voice teased lightly.
Leon let out a hearty laugh that filled the room. “Aye, ye cannae fool me, lad. Ye’ve got a fire in yer eyes when ye speak of her. It’s obvious as the sun in the sky that ye’re taken with her.”
Marcus shifted in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Maither says I must marry to strengthen the clan,” he said, trying to brush aside his father’s teasing. “The healer’s just a village girl. It would be wrong to lead her astray.”
Leon’s expression grew serious as he looked at his son, his voice soft but firm. “As much as I love Elizabeth, I’ll tell ye this, Marcus,” he said. “I disagree with her on this matter. True loveis worth more than any alliance. Now that I’m sick and near the end, I see it clearer than ever. It’s me dyin’ wish to ken that me one and only son has a mate beside him who truly loves him—someone who will defend him, nae a woman brought in from the outside to strengthen bonds that cannae be trusted.”
Marcus was quiet for a moment, feeling the weight of his father’s words. He stood up from his seat, and embracing him tightly, he said, “I promise, Faither, I’ll return soon, and I’ll think on what ye’ve said.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next morning, Annabeth prepared her bags to leave but could not stop thinking about Marcus at her door the night before.
What is happenin’ between us? I wish I could shut down the growin’ feelings inside, but his presence only makes them more real, more dangerous.
An hour later, Marcus, Eli, Elena, Annabeth, and three guards made their way toward the village of Galton. Marcus and Annabeth rode on one horse while Eli and Elena shared another. Annabeth felt flustered, so close to Marcus after their kiss, and she tried to focus her attention on something else to calm her racing thoughts.
It was then that she noticed Elena and Eli talking in a way that seemed more than casual—there was something flirtatious in their exchanges, their laughter a little too easy.
Is this Eli responsible for Elena’s bairn?
“Ye’ve nae been watchin’ them too closely, have ye? They’ve a way of talkin’ that seems far too friendly for me taste,” Marcus whispered over his shoulder to her in a teasing manner.
Annabeth snapped her head back to him, her heart quickening. “What do ye mean, Marcus? They’re just talkin’,” she replied, her tone defensive.
She shifted in her seat, trying to focus her thoughts on anything other than the growing tension between them. “It’s nae concern of yours who talks to whom,” she said.
Marcus gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Ye’re mistaken if ye think it’s nae concern of mine,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “Ye’ve seen the way they look at each other—ye cannae deny it.”
Annabeth clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her frustration. “Aye, I’ve seen it,” she muttered. “But it’s nae me place to say what they do or daenae do.” She felt a flush rise to her cheeks, a strange feeling of anger gnawing at her despite herself.
