Alice shook her head.
Jamie swore under his breath and pushed past, taking the stairs two at a time. By the time he reached the courtyard the sun was above the horizon, turning the clouds over the sea into a smear of gold and pink. He forced himself to stop and think. Where would she have gone at this hour? She was not an early riser so something must have roused her from her bed.
Did she know the envoy had arrived early? Had she seen what had transpired in the great hall?
He turned sharply towards the stables and the stable master looked up in surprise when he burst in.
“My laird?”
“Has Lady Elise been in here this morning?”
“Aye,” he replied, a little flustered by Jamie’s harsh tone. “She took one of the dapples.”
“Did she say where she was going?”
He shook his head.
Jamie hands curled into fists. “And ye didnae think to ask her?”
The stable master swallowed thickly. “Nay, my lord. I’m not in the habit of questioning MacFinnan spellweavers.”
Jamie took hold of his anger with an effort. None of this was the stable master’s fault. It washis. He should not have danced with her last night. He should not have kissed her. He should not have let himself fall—
“Saddle my horse,” he snapped.
The man scrambled to obey and Jamie helped, grabbing a bridle from the wall and approaching Tempest who was stamping and snorting in his stall, perhaps picking up on Jamie’s mood. He slipped the bridle over the big beast’s head and fitted it with smooth, practiced motions. His hands were steady, but his pulse was pounding in his ears.
He could see her in his mind’s eye—the stubborn set of her chin, the way she refused to back down from danger. She’d walk straight into a hornet’s nest if she thought it would prove a point.
Tempest stamped and snorted as Jamie swung into the saddle. The horse’s breath steamed in the chill air.
Phillip appeared at the stable door just as Jamie gathered the reins. “Jamie, wait! Where in God’s name are ye going?”
“Elise is gone. I’m going to find her.”
Phillip’s expression darkened. “The envoy expects—”
“He can wait.”
“Ye are making a mistake,” Phillip hissed. “The king—”
“The king can damn well wait too!”
Phillip’s jaw tightened. “Ye would risk it all for this woman?” His expression had gone dark with fury. “After everything I’ve done to arrange this? Everything I’ve done to keep this island safe? If we offend the king now, we risk—”
“Then make excuses!” Jamie thundered. “Say whatever ye damn well like! But get out of my way!”
He dug his heels in and Tempest surged forward. Phillip moved out of the way, but Jamie could feel him scowling after him as he urged Tempest across the courtyard. Let him. Phillip and the envoy and King James could go rot as far as he was concerned. Right now, all he wanted was to speak to Elise. No, not wanted. Needed. Heneededto speak to Elise.
As he galloped through the gates, the sea wind was strong enough to snatch his breath, to send his hair streaking back from his face. White caps surged below, breakers rolling onto the beach in a fury. He leaned low over Tempest’s neck, his thoughts a frenzy of fury and fear.
He didn’t know what he would say when he found her, only that hemustfind her. He must make her understand. Must tell her that he—
He took a deep breath, trying to still the terror that was pounding through him. For the first time in a long time, Jamie Donald was truly afraid. But not of kings or pirates.
Of losing the one person who made him feel alive.
*
