He turned the corner toward his chamber, only to stop short. “James.”
He closed his eyes briefly at the sound of her voice. “Mairead,” he said, turning to face her, already bracing for what would come.
She stood rigid, her composure thinner than he had ever seen it.
“Ye’ve been avoidin’ me,” she said, her voice tight.
“I’ve been occup…” he began, but she cut him off.
“Daenae lie to me,” she snapped, stepping closer. “I want the truth.”
His expression hardened. “I’ve given ye nothin’ but the truth,” he said.
Her eyes flashed. “Then tell me why ye’ve chosen her over me.”
“Mairead, I willnae…”
“Daenae stand there and pretend this is nae what has happened.”
He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Ye were brought here as a child to strengthen ties between our clans,” he said. “That was always the purpose.”
Her breath hitched. “Ye lie. I was brought here for ye,” she whispered. “I'm the one ye should marry. It was supposed to be me,” she said, her voice breaking. “Everyone kent it.”
“Everyone assumed,” he corrected firmly. “I never promised ye that.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Ye let me believe it,” she said.
“I did nay such thing,” he replied.
She sagged slightly, her anger giving way to something more fragile.
“Then why nae me?” she asked, her voice quieter now. “What is it that she has that I daenae have?”
“This isnae about what she has,” he said.
“Then what is it about?” she pressed.
He hesitated. “It is complicated,” he said at last.
Mairead let out a hollow laugh. “Complicated,” she repeated. “Aye, I see that.” She stepped closer, her expression shifting, something desperate flickering beneath the surface. “Perhaps ye simply daenae want me,” she said softly. “Because ye have nae even kissed me,” she continued, her voice trembling. “Nae once so how could ye ken what ye truly want.”
Before he could respond, she pressed herself against him, her hands gripping his tunic.
James stiffened instantly. “Mairead, stop,” he said sharply, pushing her back.
“James?” The voice cut through the moment like a blade.
They both turned.
Eloise stood at the end of the corridor, her eyes wide, her expression stricken. For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then her face hardened, hurt flashing into anger. “I see,” she said quietly.
“Eloise…” James began, stepping forward. But she turned and ran before he could say more.
“Eloise!” he called, already moving after her. His boots struck hard against the stone as he followed her down the corridor.
“Stop,” he called again. She did not. By the time he reached her chamber, the door had already slammed shut and locked.
