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Aindreas turned to her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Do not worry,” he whispered a smile on his lips. “I promise ye; I will fix this. Ye have nothing to worry about.”
Blair nodded. She needed to believe in him. He loved her, and she loved him. Everything would be fine. She had to believe in that. Blair watched him go, leading the way towards the keep. She lingered behind, wanting to give them as much space as possible before returning to her quarters. The master of stables took Aindreas’s stallion away. As she watched them go, her eyes widened upon someone watching her in the distance.
Daniel.
He slowly approached her, waving his hand slightly. A small smile took hold of his lips, and she was surprised to see a joyful glint in his eye as he approached her.
“Daniel,” she breathed as he stopped a foot from her. “What are ye doing here?”
Daniel chuckled. “I could say the same about ye.” He cleared his throat and offered his hand. “Would ye like to join me for a small stroll? It’s a lovely night. I would hate to waste it indoors.”
Blair glanced over her shoulders, but Laird Cambel and his men were gone, including Aindreas. She gave a small nod and took Daniel’s hand, allowing him to place it on his elbow. He guided her down a dirt path leading towards the chapel. For a moment, she thought he would take her to the garden, but they turned, walking up the stairs and onto the battlements.
Blair didn’t know what he wanted to say to her, only that she needed to tell him about her feelings. However, she was worried. She didn’t want to hurt him. Daniel had always been kind to her. He had always been there for her. She loved him.
She just didn’t love him the way he wanted her to.
Daniel sighed, tilting his head back. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, gesturing towards the stars in front of them. The wind whipped his dark curls, making him look more boyish than man.
Blair nodded. “Quite.” She frowned, not knowing how to begin.
“I see ye gathered plenty of herbs for Tavis,” said Daniel while nodding towards her basket.
Blair forced a smile. “Indeed.” She chuckled while pushing a lock of hair from her face. “I’m hoping he won’t be angry with me for taking the day off.”
“Of course not. I don’t think he could ever be angry with ye, Blair.”
Blair stared at the stars, wishing they would give her the strength to say the words she needed to. She didn’t think she could handle Daniel’s sadness, knowing they could never be together.
“How was yer time in the forest?”
Blair’s face flushed as she recalled Aindreas pressing into her, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist.
“I noticed Aindreas brought ye home. Did ye get the alone time ye needed?”
“I love ye so much it feels as if my heart will burst.”
Blair’s heart swelled as she heard Aindreas’s voice in her ear. “Aye, I did, Daniel.”
“And did ye think about what I asked this morn?” Daniel’s voice was uncertain, filled with worry. “Of course, I can wait longer if need be. I would hate to rush ye.”
“Aye,” she said while turning towards Daniel, grabbing his hands and giving them a gentle squeeze. “I thought about it.”
Daniel smiled brightly. “And?”
Blair sighed while slowly shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Daniel,” she whispered, hating the way his smile fell, the worry and sadness seeping into his gaze as he stared back at her. “But I cannot marry ye.”
Daniel blinked. His hands slipped from hers while he took a step back. “I’m afraid I do not understand. I thought—“
“I’m in love with another, Daniel.” She stepped towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. His gaze rose, glimmering in the dim torchlight with unshed tears that pierced through her heart. “I cannot marry ye when my heart is with another.”
His eyes narrowed. “Please do not tell me it’s Aindreas ye love. I don’t think I could bear it.”
Blair pulled her hand from his shoulder as if she had been stung by a thorn bush. “Well, I,” she started but could not finish as she looked away.
“It is, isn’t it?” Daniel asked bitterly.
She nodded, pulling her shawl closer to her, suddenly feeling colder than before.
