* * *
Bronwyn held Isla’s hand as they walked along the street towards Alaura’s dwelling. He took in a full breath of night air and savoured the taste. It swallowed easily unlike the sticky air usually found within the town walls during the warming season. The crisp, clean air had an unmistakable energy which heightened his awareness, making his calloused hands feel the tenderness in Isla’s.
He watched Alaura pull her dark cloak more snuggly around her. Yet she didn’t appear to mind the coolness. With each new breath her smile deepened and her features softened. It seemed she felt the energy in the night as well.
Isla slipped from his grip and skipped the remaining fifty feet to Alaura’s stoop. She slid on one of the rails as she awaited their arrival. Not willing to abandon the night so soon, Alaura and Bronwyn rested against the rails and looked off into the distance.
“It was kind of you to invite me to the evening ration.” Alaura broke the silence, but he didn’t mind. Her voice sang on the breeze and added to the magic of the night.
“I’m glad you stayed. I enjoy your company.” He watched her catch her breath when she noticed his stare. He held her gaze and saw the start of a smile on the corner of her lips. She forced herself to look away.
“Bronwyn, you’ve changed since becoming Isla’s das. You’re not the same rogue you appeared to be the day at the castle. I mean… you appeared gruff.”
“I don’t think I’ve changed as much as I’ve returned to who I used to be in my youth.” He smiled with an easiness he hadn’t felt for a long time. “I guess in the struggle to advance in the ranks, I lost sight of the important things in life. Isla and…and you helped me see the missing pieces.” For the first time he felt truly satisfied. He needed only one more thing to make his life complete. Taking a deep breath, he gathered courage from the night air.
“I wondered,” Bronwyn began as he always did when faced with this dilemma, “if you would…I mean…are you free tomorrow evening?”
She pulled her cloak tighter around her.
“We could enjoy the food and entertainment at the Glenelg Inn. I can come by…”
Alaura shook her head. “I have lessons with Beathas. I won’t be back in town until late.”
“I’ll wait—”
“No! I mean…I don’t want to inconvenience you. I’ll be busy with my studies and work.” She looked down at her hands then at her door.
“Another time maybe.” He tried to brush it off, but once again, he regretted taking the chance to see if she’d accompany him on an outing. He had to accept the fact she didn’t think of him as he thought of her. Rhiannon had presumed wrong. Alaura considered him a friend, probably because of his different race. It didn’t help that he lacked magic. She needed a slim-built human, a man taller and experienced at satisfying a woman like her. If the human possessed magic, he’d be the perfect mate. Alaura had avoided other offers for her time, and though he promised himself he’d never ask again, realising the way he felt, he knew he would.
“I should…,” she pointed to her door, “I should go in. It’s cool outside. Isla needs her sleep.”
He glanced at Isla who quietly sat on the bottom step, looking into the night. “I suppose you’re right. Isla.” The sooner he got on his way, the sooner he didn’t have to worry about the expression on his face.
Isla jumped up and climbed the stairs. She wrapped her arms around Alaura’s waist. “Thank you for taking me to Moon Meadow today.”
“You’re welcome.” Alaura hugged Isla and kissed her cheek. When she rose, she rested her hand on Bronwyn’s upper arm. “Thank you again for inviting me to the evening ration. It was thoughtful of you. Your mum is an excellent cook.”
“I’ll let her know. She always likes to hear she pleased the appetite.” He placed his hand over hers, and she gently pulled away.
“I’ll see you again.” She opened the door.
“Have a good evening.” He guided Isla down the steps and towards the castle. He looked back to see Alaura slip inside and close the door. He sighed. Maybe the time had come to move on and give this whole Alaura thing a break. He’d beaten around the bush for a few years without success; she probably thought him desperate, pathetic.
When they had almost reached the castle, Isla spoke. “Das, did Alaura make you sad?”
“I understand she’s busy.” Disappointment stirred in his heart more than anything. The time had come to accept the fact she held no special feelings for him.
“Maybe you should have stolen a kiss.” Isla giggled. “I stayed quiet so you could cast your Be-still Spell.”
“Isla! Don’t listen to your Uncle Joris. At times he says things he shouldn’t.” Then again, Bronwyn hadn’t thought of stealing a kiss.
“But didn’t you want to?”
“No.” A child could tell he lied. “It wouldn’t be right. Friends don’t steal kisses.”
“I’ll ask Alaura if you can have one. Then it wouldn’t be stealing. She won’t mind because you make her happy.”
He didn’t want to ask but couldn’t help himself. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen her smile at you when you’re not looking. She thinks nobody sees her, but I do.” She ended in a whisper. “She likes you.”
He smiled. His daughter remained innocent to the ways of men and women, but he wished she spoke the truth. Alaura often smiled. It didn’t mean he ignited it.
“I’ll tell Alaura you want a kiss, and she—”
“Please, don’t.” He didn’t need a twelve-year-old begging a woman to give her das a kiss.
“Why? We talk about you all the time. I can tell Alaura anything.”
Again, Bronwyn couldn’t resist. “What does she say about me?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s against the rules.”
Rules? Girls and women had rules when talking about men? He stopped walking and bent to face her. “Isla, it’d make life less awkward if you didn’t tell Alaura I wanted to kiss her.”
“So you do want to kiss her.” Isla cupped his face with her small hands.
He gave up. How could he convince her he didn’t want to kiss Alaura when he honestly did? “Let’s keep this our little secret, okay?”
“Okay, das. I won’t say anything.” She threw her arms around his neck.
“Time will sort out the things we don’t understand.” He hugged her, lifted her into the air and tossed her onto his back. The rest of the way home, she rode piggy-back.
A set of eyes watched from the shadows as the pair entered the short road to the castle. After Bronwyn and Isla crossed Gateway Bridge, the stranger moved deeper into the darkness and disappeared.
Shadows in the Stone Page 25