The next morning, the memory of the brief kiss lingered in quiet, unexpected ways. Edan’s move to bring her closer had startled her, but then she’d been more than willing. The truth was she’d enjoyed every moment of their kiss, something that surprised her. Had he spoken of it, she’d have blushed the shade of the sweetest apple picked in autumn. There’d been no discussion, just their first true kiss, something that told her he thought of her as much as she was thinking of him.
The memory surfaced as she dressed, as her thoughts wandered, as she caught herself pressing her lips together in reflection. Instead of unease, it left her grounded. Something between them had shifted, not dramatically, but irrevocably.
When she saw him again, she did not avert her gaze. There was softness in her eyes now, paired with certainty. She offered no explanation and made no effort to diminish what had passed between them. It showed in the way she held herself, in the warmth beneath her composure, in the calm strength of her voice when she spoke to him. The kiss was no longer a fragile moment. It was part of her, and she did not shy from it.
With so much travel and constant activity, she had little chance to speak with him, save for a rare moment when their gazes met and she knew he remembered it too.
They’d been blessed with a cloudy spring day for their voyage. The group rode their horses to MacClane Castle, where the Mull Cog awaited them. Horses and cargo were loaded, then they took their leave. With its single large sail, several men proclaimed it a perfect wind for sailing.
A small, roofed area in the center offered shelter from poor weather. Ailith’s mother had already claimed a spot inside. Often colder than everyone else, her mother arrived with twoplaids wrapped around her shoulders for warmth. Though summer was nearly upon them and the air warmed daily, the wind could still chill one to the bone, especially in an exposed environment like the Cog.
The Duart group included Dyna and Derric with their three bairns; Alasdair and Emmalin with John, Ailith, and Daran; Connor; Maitland, Maeve, and Grant. Ailith found a spot overlooking the water while the men busied themselves settling the horses and tying down crates. Having rarely traveled out to sea beyond Mull, she knew this would be an excursion to remember.
Daran was the most excited about this grand voyage, his face hanging over the side of the vessel, watching for fish and dolphins. Cormac had set restrictions on where the youngest could stand.
“Aw…” Daran declared. “But it’s fun to watch the waves.”
“You may run the entire upper deck while we’re readying the ship. Once we leave port, you’ll stay in your assigned spot.” Cormac did not relent to their begging. “Someday I hope to have something to keep the wee ones afloat at all times, but we don’t have such a thing yet, and I cannot risk a bairn overboard.”
Always inquisitive, Daran persisted. “But why?”
Cormac knelt before the boy. “Because I fell overboard myself once. That’s exactly why you must listen. It’s a long way down in the middle of the sea, and it’s scary in those big waves.”
Daran pouted but quickly forgot the rules. “Watch how fast I am, Da.”
The boy took off running while Alasdair whispered, “I appreciate your rule. I’d never keep the lad in one spot otherwise.”
Once they set off, Ailith sat next to her sire on the upper deck, enjoying the view. Her father tied his hair back with a leather thong while she plaited her own long locks. He tookher hand and said, “I hope you’ll not allow any of your past experiences to affect this voyage, lass.”
“I promise not to allow them into my mind if you promise the same, Da.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Ailith briefly recalled the situation at MacLintock Castle seven years ago. It had affected her so deeply that she had stayed close to her parents for many years. Recent problems on Mull, the stealing of children, had brought those fears back to the surface, but she had remained at Duart Castle while her sire and brother fought the evil ones.
And good had triumphed over evil again. What would Islay bring?
“Each day I grow stronger, Da. I need to forget my memories so I can focus on these bairns. I know you have your own memories too: of your mother, father, Grandda and Grandmama, and of the incident at MacLintock Castle. I have healed, so please do not worry about me. I know that’s why you came along with me, and I do appreciate it.”
“I would have come along anyway, but John also wished to come. It’s early summer, a lovely time to travel. As you know, we never traveled over the seas until Duart Castle came into our lives. Every one of us enjoyed the beaches, the waves, the dolphins, and otters. I love Mull, and Iona too. Mayhap we are about to discover a new land to love. As long as we’re traveling with family, what could go wrong? It sounded like a wonderful trip, and if we can help someone along the way, then it makes it even more special.”
The sun neared its highest point when Emmalin stepped out and shivered. “Alasdair, I’m going to unwrap our midday meal. Come along and bring Ailith with you.”
“We’ll be right there. Go back in where it’s warm.” Turning to Ailith, he said, “Did you see how she shivered? That’s the onlypart she doesn’t enjoy. Your mother packed carefully. I think we have a fresh loaf of bread with cheese and berries. Come along and eat.”
“I’ll be along in a wee bit.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Save me a piece of bread, if you please.”
Her father nodded and disappeared, Uncle Connor following close behind. The moment their footsteps faded, Edan approached her sheltered spot against the inner cabin where the wind couldn’t bite as sharply. Roger’s laughter drifted from across the deck as he traded stories with Cormac.
“May I join you, Ailith?” Edan’s voice carried a warmth that made her pulse quicken. Memories of their kiss last eve surfaced quickly.
She shifted slightly, making room on the narrow bench. “Please do. I’d like to hear more about your daughter and your family.”
Freshly shaven, his brown eyes locked on her lips long enough to heat her core in ways that were new. But they were being watched carefully, of that much she was certain, so she averted her eyes so he would continue.
