“How can you speak of your death with such indifference?” she demanded.
“I have witnessed the loss of too many warriors in battle to not have accepted such a fate,” he replied with stoic calm. “Life promises naught but change. ’Tis up to each of us to make the most of each day, not carve out thoughts of a future that may never come.”
Her emotions raw, Gwendolyn pushed to her feet, furious he could discuss his mortality with such ease when she struggled to think of him no longer in her life. Over the days they’d shared, he had become important to her, more than she’d ever believed possible. Her anger built. Did she matter so little to him that he would sacrifice an heir, walk away, and neversee her again?
“How are you making the most of each day when you think only of war?”she lashed out.
With slow intent, he stood, his gaze cool. “My duty doesna change the opportunities presented to me,” he said, his voice even, “such as being able to give you the gift of your home and the life you choose.”
His selflessness left her floundering. Never had she met such an honorable man. “And what of your happiness?”
“My happiness?”
The genuine surprise in his eyes, as if he’d never considered such, deepened her sadness. “Aye. Once Scotland is united, and if you have evaded death, what will you do then?”
He shrugged. “If that time comes, I will return to my ancestral home.”
“That is all?” she asked, unsure if she was more annoyed at herself for persisting with this discussion, or at him for taking everything in stride, as if he hadna offered to forsake any chance of having an heir. Did he not understand what he was giving up? A home, a family, a…
Shaken by the feelings he ignited, the dreams he stirred, Gwendolyn glanced at the darkening sky, a hint of stars flickering in the wash of purple and fading streaks of gold. She stepped back. “’Tis late.”
“’Tis.” For a long moment, she held his gaze, then stowed the desire he evoked deep within.
This was what she wanted, her life, as his, to go their separate ways. If for a while she had believed more existed between them, she had been wrong, understandably so. Distraught over her father’s death, after meeting a man of such caliber and believing he was her husband, she’d soughthis compassion.
Gwendolyn made to step past him, paused. His scent of man and earth teased her, reminded her of how it’d felt to be in his arms, of how he’d left her trembling beneath histouch. “Aiden…”
His eyes were shuttered, and he moved out of reach.
Tears burned her eyes at his withdrawal, more so after he’d held her, offered compassion moments before. Not trusting herself to speak, she strode past, but a part of her yearned for what they’d lost.
Lost?
Nay, little about their relationship was that simple. The only thing she knew was that Aiden was indeed an honorable man. Ultimately, he’d chosen to continue his duty as a Templar over being her husband inlife and love.
She wiped away the tears, then hurried through the forest, more than ready to return to Latharn Castle, surrounded by people she loved, those who cared for her. Aye, numerous challenges awaited her in rebuilding her home. The demands would keep her busy, erase thoughts of Aiden. Over time, her feelings forhim would fade.
* * * *
Illuminated within the torchlit camp, Aiden muttered a curse as he watched Gwendolyn disappear inside her tent.
Cailin sauntered up to him. “The lass looks sad.”
“It has been a long day,” Aiden said, more than ready to place the upheaval of the last few hours behind him. “I told her the truth about her father’s death, nor has she calmed since we spoke our vows.”
His friend gave a slow nod. “Lord Comyn has earned a dangerous enemy in deceiving her. As for your marriage, in time, she will accept the union.”
“Nay,” Aiden said, struggling to hide the misery letting her go had caused. ’Twas the right choice. Though she had become important to him… Important, nay. She’d become as necessary as his next breath, but he found solace that in the end she’d find peace. “Once Latharn Castle is seized, Iwill move on.”
His friend smiled. “I did not mean after this battle, but once Scotland is united.”
A muscle worked in Aiden’s jaw. “I will notlive with her.”
Surprise flickered in the Templar’s eyes. “But you are wed.”
“A union neitherof us wanted.”
“Mayhap, but I see the way you watch the lass,” Cailin said. “You care for her. Though she will not admit it, I believe her feelings for you havealso deepened.”
