Grier had goodness within her, but her purity was buried deep, and her spells didn’t always serve the greater good. Her lack of family and the loneliness I suspected she’d experienced most of her life had changed the way she thought of magic. She didn’t see her magic as a duty to help. She saw it as a burden that cast her apart. If those around her couldn’t accept the magic within her, she would use her powers to force the result she desired.
Grier rarely spoke of her life, but she’d said just enough in our time together to make me understand why she often didn’t hesitate to force someone’s hand with her magic. The evil she’d had to endure at the hands of frightened, ignorant people over and over throughout her life was enough to send anyone into madness.
I didn’t know what I would say to her, but I knew there was a delicate line I would have to balance. My heart could never belong to her, and I had to make sure she understood that. Doing so put me at great risk for upsetting her. If I did—if she believed that I’d somehow betrayed her—there was no telling what Grier might do.
Every step toward my cottage was filled with a silent prayer that all would be well.
I had no confidence it would be.
* * *
Morna
* * *
The instant I mentioned Grier’s name to him, Jerry no longer heard anything else I said. He was distracted, lost in his own thoughts, determined to make his peace with her in whatever way he could.
It pained me to let him go to her, but I knew he was deserving of my trust.
I stood at the edge of the village and watched Jerry walk toward his cottage until I could no longer see him. Once he was out of sight, I took a deep breath. It was time to proceed to the next dreadfully difficult task of the day, breaking my engagement to Henry.
I saw no one on my short walk back to the castle. Inside its walls, Henry was nowhere to be found. Alasdair was the first person I found. He sat relaxing in Father’s old chair by the fire. With the room draped in the afternoon’s shadow, Alasdair looked so much like Father that my chest squeezed painfully at the sight of him.
“I told everyone they needn’t work today. Elspeth and Eoin are abed resting. I couldna sleep.”
“Where’s Henry? ’Tis time for me to speak to him.”
Alasdair shook his head and yawned. Even if he couldn’t sleep, he was exhausted.
“He’s asleep, as well. Doona wake him just to break his heart. Ye can tell him before dinner.”
I didn’t argue. While I knew it needed to be done, I was in no hurry to witness his reaction.
“Mayhap, I should wait until morning. Then, he could leave right away should he wish it.”
“Ach, he will wish it, lass. No man wants to stay in the home of the lass who has jilted him. Morning then. ’Twill be best…” Alasdair’s words slowly faltered as I watched him drift to sleep, his head slumped over against his shoulder.
I must’ve fallen asleep shortly after, for when my eyes flickered open, Alasdair was gone and only a sliver of sunlight shone into the room.
Evening was upon us, and Jerry would most certainly be wanting to know how everything had gone with Henry.
If I left now, I could reach and return from his cottage before I was expected for dinner.
He wouldn’t be pleased, but what was one more evening of waiting when we would have our whole lives to spend together?
If only I’d known how much could change in an evening.
Chapter 33
Jerry
* * *
Grier stood in the doorway of my cottage as I approached. While her smile was warm, her eyes were entirely unreadable.
“Did ye know this was my home for many years? ’Tis fitting it should be yer home now.”
She gave no greeting and led our conversation with no apology.
