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Daniel scoffed, making her wince. She heard something thump against the wall and turned towards the sound, finding Daniel’s fist pressing against it in a white-knuckled grip. He scowled at the scenery before them. “Ye cannot tell me ye love that man. He uses women, Blair.” Daniel jerked toward her, taking a step and closing the distance between them.
Blair’s heart raced, the sound of it pounding in her ears as Daniel grabbed her shoulders and pulled her closer. For once, fear swept through her as she stared at the desperation in Daniel’s eyes.
“Ye must know that, Blair,” Daniel said harshly. “He plays with them, and then he abandons them. He will do the same to ye if ye permit him.”
Blair shook her head, staring back at Daniel and feeling terrible for not being able to share his feelings. He was a good man, a loyal man. If she had never fallen in love with Aindreas, she could see them married, see a happy life for themselves, but it would never be enough, not without love.
“I’m sorry, Daniel,” she whispered while stroking his cheek.
Daniel looked stunned, flinching under her touch as if she had slapped him instead. His mouth opened, yet no words escaped his lips.
“I believe in Aindreas, Daniel,” she said, a soft smile coming to her lips as she said her lover’s name. “I know it has been difficult for us, but we have professed our love to one another.”
Daniel shook his head, drawing away from her.
“Ye must understand, Daniel.”
“Nae, I do not!” Daniel shouted while slamming a fist against the wall. “How can ye allow him to blind ye?” His voice cracked, and she swore she saw a glimmer of tears shedding from his gaze, yet she couldn’t be too sure.
“Daniel—“
Daniel raised a hand, saying bitterly, “I’ve heard enough.” She watched him clench his jaw, swallow the pain she knew he was surely feeling. “I love ye, Blair. Can’t ye learn to love me?”
Blair stared back at him, unable to say what she knew he wanted. He scoffed, turning away from her. She watched him turn on his heel, making his way towards the stairs.
“Daniel,” she started, reaching for him, but she paused, not knowing if she could say anything to aid in his heartbreak.
“Ye will never be able to convince me of that man’s goodness,” Daniel called as she watched him run down the steps and towards the stables.
The wind rushed past, and she held her shawl closer to her, watching Daniel as he called for his horse. She whirled around, her bottom lip trembling as she gazed out at the dark fields before her and the twinkling stars in the night sky. Inhaling deeply, she tried to calm her breath, but she couldn’t stop the guilt from gnawing at her insides. The wind rustled her hair, making the locks whip against her flesh. When she next opened her eyes, she frowned, watching Daniel ride off into the distance.
Blair knew she made the right choice, but it still pained her to know her words, her actions, hurt Daniel. She had never meant to hurt him, and yet she did. Wiping her eyes, she slowly turned away, striding through the battlements towards the stairs and the castle’s keep. She needed to see Aindreas. If she only saw his face, felt his touch, it would let her know she made the right decision. By gazing into his beautiful blue eyes, it would release any anxiety she felt and cement her belief in him.
