Page 45 of Nyall

“That ’twill keep until I learn more,” Connal said firmly, and then regarded his wife. “You need practice keeping a confidence, my lady.”

“I don’t like secrets.” She sighed before she gave Nyall a rueful look. “Merrick just sent word that Shaw is coming back to the stronghold, probably sooner rather than later. I’d warn Caroline, but she’s been avoiding me.”

“I shall tell her, my lady.” He turned to the laird. “Mistress Parish wishes abide in Old Dugles’s cottage rather than the stronghold. I promised her I’d ask your leave for such.”

“That might help with her Shaw problem,” Valerie put in.

Connal rubbed his brow. “Aye, so ’twould. Very well, if she wishes live there, she may. I shall advise Merrick.”

“This matter you wish keep,” Nyall said. “If ’tis something to do with the Finfolk, you ken I shall hold your confidence, my lord.”

“We’ll talk again when ’tis time,” was all the laird said before he picked up his wife and carried her back to shore.

Nyall watched them walk up to the cliff stairs before he swam back to the cove and retrieved his tartan and boots. Like Valerie, he didn’t care for Connal’s secrecy, and suspected his friendship with Jamaran to be the reason the laird was concealing the matter from him. At least he would make Caroline happy once he related the news about the cottage.

Back at the stronghold he stopped in the kitchens to ask Brochan if Caroline had delivered any shellfish to him.

“She came and went, and you should leave the lass alone,” the big man said, glowering at him before he shouted for Jamma and then stalked outside.

“Dinnae mind him, Captain.” Jamma came over to pick up the bowl of pears Brochan had been slicing. “He’s grown fond of the lady, and doesnae care to see her troubled. I heard her ask one of the guards if anyone might walk the labyrinth.”

What had Caroline so upset that even the cook would notice? “My thanks.”

Nyall trotted to his chamber, where he changed into dry garments before he headed outside the stronghold. He’d laid a stone path to the walking labyrinth for when Shaw and Fletcher could not second the laird and he was obliged to take their place, but as he followed it he thought on how angry Caroline had been when he’d left her at the cottage. He knew she could manage sailing the skiff alone, but had she come to some harm while crossing the bay? Had one of the Selseus frightened her?

Merrick commanded all the males stay away from Caroline, Captain.

He stopped and looked over at Jamaran, who was emerging from the forest on the shell-lined side of the maze used by Merrick. He then looked over the spiraling paths until he saw Caroline, now garbed in a flowing white dress, standing in the overlapping centers when the laird and the king met to parlay. She looked remote, as if she were wrapped in snow, and oddly regal, as if she had every right to stand where Connal and Merrick worked out their differences.

Do you ken what has her upset? He thought back to his friend.

Aye. We two. Reflect on such as you make your way to her, as shall I.

Nyall had never grown at ease with moving through the stone-lined paths built by the MacMar, but to reach her without violating the purpose of the labyrinth he had to follow them. The commander did the same on his people’s side, his expression as calm and silent as his movements. Had they been laird and king, he thought, they would never have needed a truce. Jamaran and he had always trusted each other without reservation, because they had looked into each other’s hearts and knew everything about each other.

We shared a night of pleasure with her. He watched Caroline, who stood with her back toward both of them. Now she behaves as if we dinnae exist.

The commander gave him a solemn look. She’s been alone too long, as we were before we discovered our connection. She’s fearful of how much harm she may do us, and we her. ’Tis why she guards her heart.

By mutual agreement they stopped short of stepping into the center overlap, and stood there for so long Nyall wondered if she’d keep them waiting until nightfall. He found he didn’t mind, for seeing her wrapped in white made everything about her look even more bold and beautiful. His earlier assumption that it made her appear coldly majestic faded as he watched her. The sun gilded the pale streaks in her dark hair, making them gleam like gold silk ribbons, and added a lovely rosy glow to her striking face and smooth, tanned skin. He knew he would never again think another woman half as stunning as Caroline. Her silence, however, troubled him so much he considered calling her name, just to see if she would answer him.

Wait, Jamaran told him. She’s almost ready to face us.

As if he had read her mind, a few moments later Caroline turned around and regarded first him and then the commander. She looked decidedly imperial now; a queen prepared to issue execution orders, a goddess gathering her power to strike down the enemies of her worshippers. It made Nyall appreciate again just how strong she was, even if she didn’t realize that herself.

Caroline Parish would never be helpless.

“This maze thing actually works.” She regarded him with a brief look before she said to Jamaran, “I’m done with wanting revenge. If Richard Ellis never pays for what he did to me in life, then I’ll hope that hell really exists. The devil should make a special level just for him, where he spends eternity swimming around alone and then drowning in the middle of the damn ocean. One with an automatic reset every ten miles.”

“Why say you such?” the commander asked.

For a moment Caroline looked as if she might burst into tears. Then, slowly, she straightened her spine and looked at him before she said to Jamaran, “I’m not going back to the twenty-first century. I’m staying here on the island.”

Every knot in Nyall’s muscles suddenly vanished.

The commander bowed to her as if she were his Queen. “A wise decision, my lady.”

“Not really. I’m just tired of being angry all the time.” She smiled at him. “But I appreciate you agreeing with me. You and I, we’re good.” Her expression chilled as she turned to face Nyall. “And there, you’re one of the first to know, so I kept my promise.”