Ruby sighed softly. She could almost feel the thick wool blankets, warm and heavy over her as she shared a tent with Isla. And the wagon—dear God, the wagon. She hadn’t realized how much she appreciated being carried along instead of walking until she’d spent the night scrambling over heather and stones.
Maybe she had been an idiot. Maybe she should have stayed with the merchants. Continued south in relative comfort. Chasing after Evan Campbell now seemed like an idiotic choice.
Then she glanced across the cave. Evan sat near the entrance, half in shadow, sharpening a knife with slow, careful strokes. The firelight flickered across his face, catching the strong line of his jaw and the thoughtful crease between his brows.
He looked tired but alert. Always watching. Ruby studied him quietly for a moment. And just like that, the doubt melted away. No. She hadn’t made a mistake. Something deep inside her knew that she’d made the right choice in coming with him.
Her gaze lingered on him as she thought about their conversation earlier.
Who are you, Ruby?
The question had caught her completely off guard. And the way he’d looked at her—sharp, searching, almost accusing.
You’re keeping secrets.
She swallowed. Several times during that conversation the truth had nearly spilled out. The words had hovered on the edge of her tongue.
I’m from the future. I came through a portal. I’m not supposed to be here.
But every time the same thought had stopped her—he wouldn’t believe her. Or worse—he would. And if he did...everything would change.
So she had deflected instead, offering half answers and vague explanations that had clearly satisfied neither of them. Ruby drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them.
Across the cave Evan glanced up suddenly. “Cold?” he asked.
“A little.”
He tossed another piece of wood onto the fire. “That should help.”
Ruby smiled faintly. “Thanks.”
For several heartbeats, neither of them spoke. Then Evan returned to his knife and Ruby leaned back against the cave wall. The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows across the rough stone.
“Try to get some sleep,” Evan said quietly.
“You know what? That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said all day.” She stretched out, sure she wouldn’t be able to get a wink of sleep on her hard ground.
But the sound of the wind outside mingled with the steady crackle of the fire. And within minutes, exhaustion pulled her under.
RUBY’S LEGS ACHED.Her boots were scuffed, her clothes were damp, and God-alone knew what her hair must look like. They’d been up and on the trail before first light, with only a cup of ale and hard biscuits for breakfast. Ruby was beginning to miss Isla’s wagon something fierce.
At least they’d seen no sign of pursuit since last night, although right now that did little to alleviate Ruby’s misery. She was so caught up in feeling sorry for herself that she didn’t notice Evan had halted, and so she walked right into the back of him.
She gave a little ‘oomph’. “What is it? Why have you stopped?”
“See for yerself.”
Ruby followed his line of sight—and froze.
A settlement spread out ahead of them. It crouched on a rocky spine, dark and jagged, a castle looming above everything like a clenched fist. Smoke curled into the pale sky from hundreds of chimneys, a gray haze that seemed to fill the sky. Tall, narrow buildings crowded together as if for warmth, their upper stories leaning so close they seemed to be whispering to one another.
Edinburgh. At last.
But as she looked closer, Ruby realized it wasn’therEdinburgh.
It was tiny compared to the sprawling city she knew. There was no New Town elegance, no wide Georgian streets, no familiar lines. This Edinburgh felt older. Wilder.
“Oh,” she said. After all the yearning to get here and the danger of the journey, she couldn’t think of anything better to say.
