Page 115 of Dark Seduction

Tears began. Claire wept for Isabel, and she wept for Aidan, too.

Malcolm pulled her into his arms.

MALCOLM POURED THEM BOTH mugs of wine. Claire stood at the window, watching the night sky fading, turning mauve. He handed her the wine and she thanked him. More tears fell.

He put his arm around her. “I ken ye wanted t’ save Isabel.”

“With all my heart!” she cried. “She was sweet, guileless, more child than woman. She reminded me of my cousin Lorie.”

Malcolm pulled away, his expression dark and grim.

Claire wiped her tears. She wanted to grieve, but there wasn’t time. “I think we should return to Dunroch. We can’t help Aidan if the king throws you back in prison. We should leave while we still can.”

He stared at her, looking damned unhappy.

“I know you are worried about Royce and Aidan.” She took both of his hands. “Can you admit it?”

“Aye, I be worried fer them both. But there be truth in yer words, Claire. If I dinna leave, I may be returned to the tower. I canna help anyone then.”

“So we’ll go?”

“Aye, at first light.”

She didn’t let him walk away. “Malcolm, you promised you would teach me to fight. It’s clear that I am at a disadvantage here, in your time, even at court, by not having some fighting skills. And we both know I will need those skills when I go home, because I won’t be surrounded by Masters then.” The thought of going home made her feel even sadder than she already felt, but she’d deal with her feelings another time. She had to learn to fight. She’d had enough of evil. She’d had enough of destruction and death.

He pulled his hands from hers. “I’ll teach ye at Dunroch.”

Claire could feel him thinking about her going home, but not his exact thoughts. “I have to go back some time,” she said hesitantly, almost wishing he’d refute her words.

He turned away.

She retreated. They had enough burdens now, and she wanted to ease Malcolm’s worries if she could, just a bit. “Look, I don’t think Aidan is rushing after Moray this instant. After all, Moray is here. He isn’t going to assault the Defender of the Realm at court. He’s smart. He’ll cool down.”

“If Aidan hunts Moray, he will die. He doesna have the power to defeat his father.”

“Will he ever have that power?”

“Moray’s power comes from Satan.”

Claire had a striking thought. “Aidan is Moray’s son. I bet, genetically, his powers are close to his father’s. Maybe he’ll get the power he needs from God—if we don’t nail the bastard demon first.”

“Mayhap.”

She had never seen Malcolm so grim. “So you admit he is not evil?”

He seemed reluctant. “He’s nay evil.”

Claire almost smiled. He was capable of changing profound beliefs. He was open-minded, and it meant everything to her—not that it changed their future.

A wolf howled.

Goose bumps began and Claire and Malcolm exchanged looks. The howl continued, a sound of anguish and loneliness. And Claire was certain that it was also a sound of guilt and regret.

She went to Malcolm, who was stricken. He put an arm around her. The wolf howled again. Aidan was entitled to his grief, even if Isabel had been a passing fancy. “He blames himself,” she whispered.

“Aye. He be her lord an’ he failed in his duty to her. ’Twas his responsibility to protect her.”

Moray had done this to his own son, Claire thought grimly as a knock sounded on the door.