Roger pointed to a distant spot in the sea. “She’s riding a dolphin that doesn’t go underwater, and it’s faster than this ship, Edan.”
“I know.” His voice lost its vehemence. It has happened. He glanced over at Ailith as if to say she was right. Something otherworldly was going on, and he had no idea what to do about it.
Fortunately, they were interrupted.
“Land!” Ailith pointed off the bow, her voice bright with wonder as the coastline emerged from the mist. A smile broke across her face, and something stirred deep in Edan’s chest, a warmth he’d forgotten existed.
When had he last seen such pure joy? The kind that belonged to wee bairns discovering hidden treasures or finding baby goats in the garden. The kind that now danced in her eyes as she gazed upon Islay’s shores.
Salt spray kissed the air, carried by the breeze. In that moment, with her hair whipping free and her cheeks flushed pink, Ailith Grant was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. The boat pitched on a sudden wave, sending her stumbling toward the rail. His hands found her waist, steadying her against him. Her delighted laughter bubbled up between them, a sound that stirred something long buried within him.
His brother’s words, spoken after Florie’s passing, returned to him. He’d dismissed them as cruel at the time, but perhaps his brother had known something Edan did not.
“She was not meant for you, Edan. You deserve a different love, a true love.”
He hadn’t understood their meaning then, and he’d ignored them. Now, as they resurfaced, he glanced over at his brother,the look telling him that Roger’s mind was at the same place as Edan’s.
He’d just learned precisely what his brother’s words meant.
Ailith Grant was different.
Chapter Sixteen
Ailith
They arrived at Lagavulin a bit ahead of the evening meal. The winds and the weather had worked in their favor.
Cormac approached Dyna and Connor. “Where are you headed? I live on Jura, but I know where Morgan and Magni’s cottage is. I can take you there, if you like. Magni will be doing two more passes, but Morgan is probably done for the day. My ship stays here until the morrow, so I’d be pleased to travel with you. They have a pallet for me.”
Connor said, “We appreciate and accept your offer, Cormac. I’m anxious to see my son. We could pick up supplies here? Is it the closest village to Morgan’s place?”
“Nay, we’ll stop near Finlaggan. The market there is much larger than this one. We can get a couple more horses, while I ready the one we have here, then we’ll visit the market there, though there is one merchant next to the stables who sells wine and spices that Morgan brings in from the mainland.”
A few hours later, they arrived at Finlaggan, and Ailith was glad to climb off her horse.
Alasdair said, “Lead us on, Edan. I trust you to give us sage advice on the vendors.”
He led them into the village where the few merchant stalls were busy with the local townspeople. Edan and Roger grabbed some dried and smoked meat and a bag of grain to take back with them. At the last minute, Edan grabbed a cask of wine for his sister.
Ailith looked at the many colorful booths, thinking about what she needed most. Boots. “Mama, do you see any shoe vendors?”
Dyna and Emmalin bought some outer garments and sleepwear for the bairns, while Connor and Alasdair spoke withthe man selling amber liquid and wines. Derric was busy with the armorer, studying various daggers and other weaponry. Ailith stopped to stare at some hair ribbons and a fine bolt of fabric, but she bought nothing there. She did purchase a pair of nice-looking boots, and her mother bought the same.
She turned to her mother and nearly bumped into a woman, who grabbed onto her sleeve, but her father removed the woman’s hand and pushed Ailith ahead of him. But she couldn’t help but turn around to stare at the woman with the haunted eyes.
Alasdair said, “Time to mount up. Give me your packages. I’m going to help Connor get the horses loaded up. Do you have anything else you wish to purchase? If so, you have about a quarter hour before we leave.”
She looked at Sylvi, and the two spoke at the same time. “Fruit pies!”
Roger and Edan were heading toward the horses. “Edan, go with the lasses, if you please.”
Surprised but pleased, Ailith turned to see Edan nodding in agreement, a faint blush touching her cheeks. Sylvi chuckled and asked Roger, “Where are the fruit pies?”
The four headed down between the merchant stalls. Edan stood a touch behind her, his presence a comforting warmth at her back, and pointed over her shoulder. “The end of this path should have some. And fine meat pies too.”
The two girls led the way, but Ailith slowed when she saw the same woman standing along the path staring at her, her hands clasped in front of her chest as though she were praying. Sylvi grabbed her hand and tugged her forward, Edan’s hand at her waist, a protective grip that she didn’t mind one bit.
They stopped outside the tent at the end, looking at a row of tarts and pastries. Ailith’s mouth was now watering from all thechoices. Her stomach rumbled, and she clutched it. Sylvi let out a hoot. “I heard that!”
