Page 42 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

Wondering how to deal with this, Deva hesitated. Allyth came into the room, glancing about cautiously. Then she curtseyed politely.

“Thank ye, sir,” she said, lowering her eyes as Niven set the bags down. She looked as if she was expecting him to go.

But Niven didn’t go. Instead, he lingered in the shadows, uncertainly.

“Well, I say… this is quite a room, is it nae?” Deva said, walking to the end of it and looking about. Allyth followed before starting in surprise.

“Och, miss, see what someone’s left!”

Deva wondered what she meant. Coming over to the mahogany dresser, she saw it for herself.

“A bath, all ready, an’ waiting just for ye!” exclaimed Allyth. Then she looked at Deva. The room was dark, and with only Allyth’s candle to light it, she couldn’t see much. But peering closer, Deva could see its flame flickering in the steaming water beneath. Surprised, she drew her breath. This was completely unexpected.

“So, come along, dinnae let it go cold!” Allyth said pointedly. Then Deva realized what she meant.

Niven was still there, standing unsurely in the gloom. Seeing Allyth’s face, he beat a retreat.

“I, I, better leave ye to it,” he said with a smile. But this time, it was an embarrassed one. Deva felt her head spin. It had been a long day and an even longer night.

“Aye,” she said, sitting down on the bed. She had only just noticed its’ four-poster, mahogany frame in the center of the room.

As Allyth rushed around lighting the fires, Deva looked on helplessly as Niven bade them goodnight.

“So, then, thank ye for everything,” said Deva, calling to Niven as he walked away. At the sound of her voice, he stopped and turned around.

“Nae fash, ye get a good night’s rest, miss…” he said hesitantly.

“Thank ye, an’ I’ll see ye tomorrow? At breakfast?”

Allyth looked at her a little strangely. Maybe it was forward of her, but she suddenly felt desperately lonely. Left alone in this strange castle, with only Allyth for company.

“It would be nice to see a friendly face,” she said, thoughtlessly. Then she looked up.

“Nae that the laird isnae friendly, of course,” she added. Somehow, this only made things worse.

Allyth glanced at her quizzically before disappearing out of the room and thankfully leaving them alone once more.

“Nae, I am afraid I willnae,” said Niven. He was still on edge. Allyth may have gone for now, but any minute she – or someone else – might be back.

The pair of them shuffled in the doorway, self-consciously, as Deva felt her heart jolt.

“Och,” she said, slightly aghast. Deva tried to keep the emotion from her voice but failed badly. “That’s a shame. I dinnae ken anyone else here, yet.”

Of course, this wasn’t the only reason she wanted him there. They both knew it. But unable to speak freely, they dodged around the matter.

“Aye, ye soon will,” said Niven, gazing at her. His eyes brushed past hers and refused to settle. “But I have got to be off tomorrow, a mission…”

“A mission?” she said. “How exciting…”

His eyes cut back into hers. For a moment, she paused. She hadn’t meant to be so teasing.

“Aye, in the clanless zones. There’s always something to keep me busy there…” he sounded vague and slightly distracted. Deva thought she could guess as to why.

“In fact, I’m nae sure that ye’ll see that much o’ me at all,” he said, retreating from her gaze. He got ready to go, hovering on the threshold to the room.

Deva felt her chest constrict. But it wouldn’t do to show it. She had let too much go already. Instead, she nodded mournfully as Niven prepared to go.

“Goodnight, Deva,” he said, retreating along the drafty corridor. She tried to wave at him, but it was so dark he disappeared in no time, leaving her standing there, alone.