Page 47 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

“Aye, he is going to ride to the clans, but on the way back, he will meet ye at the hunting lodge,” said Niven, his eyes darting in and out of hers. She was so surprised that she simply agreed.

“The hunting lodge…Well then, we must go,” said Deva, casting aside her sewing and getting up with a sudden purpose. Inside, she felt a glow. It didn’t matter that she was being kept in the dark.

She didn’t even care that Rory had ridden off without her, nor that he had put back their wedding. All that mattered then was accompanying Niven across the glen.

“The hunting lodge?” Allyth said, sending an uncertain glance to the snow-swept landscape.

She didn’t have to speak further to convey her doubt. Deva knew what she was thinking. That they had turned back from this same journey on a day, much more favorable than today.

But not even Allyth’s misgivings could dampen down Deva’s excitement. At last! Something was happening. Glad at the chance to leave the castle, Deva jumped up. But of course, she had more to be excited about than a muddy trample in the cold.

She had the perfect excuse to spend time with Niven! In a trice, Deva had shaken out her hair and gotten her warmest shawl. Almost immediately, she was on horseback.

It was all such a blur. She barely remembered getting to her feet, let alone mounting her horse. But she must have.

They rode for what felt like an eternity. Deva’s hands were all but frozen as she clutched the reins of Titania, her silver-white mare.

The poor horse had been struggling as they galloped through the snowy glen. Deva watched as Niven pulled ahead, his excitable black stallion straining to go faster.

To Deva, it felt like no matter how fast they rode, it was never fast enough for Niven or his horse.

“Are ye alright there?” said Niven, at last, facing her, as they bounded through the newly whitened landscape. But the smile he gave her made it clear he had not noticed her exertions.

Deva flashed him a glance. The snow was falling hard, with wind flying madly at them. “Can we slow down?” she said. “I dinnae ken what the rush is, anyhow…”

Niven looked at her oddly. For a minute, Deva wondered what was on his mind. Then he laughed.

“I’m just trying to get us both there before we freeze, that’s all,” he said, slowing to a trot.

With difficulty, Deva brought her tired mare up towards him. For a while, they kept going, but then she slowed again.

Niven looked at her and rolled his eyes.

“She’s nae used to the snow,” said Deva, a little indignantly. She patted the silvery mare on the head, reassuringly.

“I dinnae ken why yer still bother wi’ that auld nag,” said Niven, hiding a sly smile. “My uncle said ye could have yer pick o’ the horses in the stables. She should be put out to pasture!”

A mischievous grin curled around his lips, but before she could glance up at him, it vanished.

“Och! I will nae,” said Deva, pulling the reins to her horse a little firmer. “Cover yer ears, Titania!” she gave a biting glance to Niven, atop of his snarling horse.

For a moment or two, they trotted alongside each other, with the silvery gray mare just about managing to keep up. As they went by, Deva ran an eye over the deepening snow and felt a twinge of panic.

“Niven, do ye think we--” she began. Then she broke off. She didn’t really want to put a damper on things. Immediately, Niven stopped and looked around.

Now Deva hesitated, even less sure she should say this. Now Niven gave her his full attention. He slowed the capricious beast down to a dawdle, then he looked at her.

“What?” he asked her softly, the focus of his gentle brown eyes trained upon her intently. Deva regretted making him so concerned.

Then, her heart started to beat hard. She wasn’t sure what was making him so concerned. Was it anything to do with the last time they were together?

Memories of their ill-fated outing still haunted her. After only an hour of riding together, Niven had abandoned their hunt. It cut at Deva hard the way that Niven had brushed her aside that day. So much so that she couldn’t help wondering why today would be any different.

Seeing her looking so uncertain, Niven stopped. “Deva?” he asked.

“Niven, last time we made this journey, ye stopped an’ made us turn back before we got there…” she said, her voice trailing off and eyes running everywhere. “Are ye sure ye want to do it this time?”

Her high, frail voice cut across the landscape as her eyes darted anywhere other than him. Inside, her heart intensified. Maybe it was stupid, but she just couldn’t face another rejection.