James was astonished. “Since when do you know of such matters?”
Muriel turned and gave him a wily smile. “I’ve always known. I let you believe you knew more about herbs than I. It seemed to matter to you at the time, and verily I didn’t want to overshadow your good labor.”
James raised a brow at that, for he had been called to save Frances when she’d been poisoned by a villainous banshee. At the time, he used herbs and such to counter the poisons and Muriel had all but scoffed at his knowledge. He could’ve laughed at her now for she was, it seemed, just as talented with herbs as he was. “Will it work?”
“If you stay off the leg, it might. Do you promise?”
James nodded. “I will.”
“I would also suggest that you wrap your leg with thin cloth soaked in eggs without the yoke. The fabric will harden and keep your leg secure. ‘Tis much better than using planks of wood. When I say stay off it, I mean absolutely no weight on it.”
He laughed. “I know what you mean.” James kissed the side of her face. “My thanks.”
She poured a smattering of oil into the power and mixed it until it thickened. Muriel scraped it into a large vessel and used a plug of wax to seal it. Then she wrapped the other large root in a cloth and handed it to him. “Besides, no one will want to be near you for it smells rank.”
He grinned after taking a whiff of the mixture and resealed it. “You tell me that after you gained my promise? You are a sneaky woman.”
“Go with an eased heart, my handsome man.”
James pulled her into his embrace. “I never meant to cause you woe, Muriel.”
“I know. I’m sorry I was so angry that night.”
He hurried out of the cottage and ran into Archibald, the village strongman, who Sean often relied on to take supplies and people back and forth from the keep to the village, riding by. James was able to hitch a ride in his cart.
When he arrived back at the keep, supper was being served and as Frances promised, a feast was set upon the large trestle table. After eating a good bit of fare, he decided to sleep in the bunk he’d occupied when he’d stayed at the keep. He found it empty and lay upon it, thinking of Emlyn and his strategy to win her. If only he could.
Throughout the night, he formulated his plan and reasoned it might work. But he had to speak with Grey and gain his accord before he’d do anything.
James awoke early and found Sean sitting in the hall. His wee bairn lay cradled in his arms, and he appeared to have gotten no sleep. He took the wailing babe from his father and grinned when wee James immediately quieted.
“You do have the gift, James. What are ye doing awake so early? You never rise at this hour.” Sean stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
James took a seat and spoke low so he wouldn’t awaken the now sleeping babe. “I’m leaving this day and hoped you’d be up so I could say farewell.”
“What about my missing cattle and sheep?”
James laughed with a bellow, and caused the babe to flinch. “’Tis the truth you never had any missing cattle, so cease your lies. Och, I thank you for making me come here.”
“Are you ready to join the living again?”
“Aye, I am. I need to get home, to Gunn land.”
Sean yawned again and rubbed his eyes. “Will you give up on Emlyn?”
James’ jaw tightened hearing her name. “Mayhap. I’m still thinking about it. I visited Muriel and she gave me a salve for my leg. I have to keep off my leg for two months.”
“Will the salve help?” Sean looked as though he’d fall asleep any moment, and his eyes kept closing.
“I hope so. I’ll speak with Grey before I decide what to do about … Emlyn.” Saying her name caused his chest to tighten.
“I can see your mind turning. Don’t overthink it. My advice, James, think with your heart for once and not your head.” Sean set his head on the table and his mouth hung open. His eyes grew heavy and closed, and he fell instantly asleep.
James chuckled, knowing his friend was experiencing fatherhood to its fullest. Sean never slept during the day and was never one to let a sleepless night affect him.
“That’s just what I aim to do.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Emlyn had been home for weeks and had no desire to take to the training fields. She stayed in her grandfather’s chamber and hid herself away. Aled, her beast of a hound, was her only amusement. Occasionally, she would allow him to leave the chamber to meet with his owl friend, Iola. He’d been gone for most of the day, and she sighed, for how wretched was she. She had a dog and bird to keep her company, and even they would rather run free amongst the hills than stay with her cooped up in an ancient chamber.
She didn’t want to run into her mother and see the disdain in her eyes. Likewise, she was displeased with her father. He’d never intended to let her war with his men and all that she’d done was for naught. She considered she’d wasted her entire life trying to win his approval, improving her skills, and becoming effective enough to be given the privilege. Yet that wasn’t to be.
What was worse than her life’s dream being pulled from under her was that she’d left James and a life she could’ve had. As much as she tried not to think of him, he crossed her mind throughout each day. Her heart ached knowing she’d caused him pain. How appalling was she? James hadn’t done anything but try to please her and she like a blubbering-miscreant-arse left him.
This day, she’d cursed herself a hundred times for her foolishness, but there was nothing to do but sit around and stew in her own recklessness. But Emlyn couldn’t sit there any longer and began to pace the length of the chamber.
She moved toward the entrance of the cavern and smelled the scent of salty water, for the sea rose and must have reached parts of the cave. With nothing better to do, she ventured farther into the cave and found it led to the rocky expanse leading out to the sea. The drop from the edge of the cavern was enough to make her head spin.
What would happen if she were to step off the ledge and disappear? Would anyone miss her? Would anyone even care that she was gone? The woe of her thoughts made her want to leap forward and put an end to her suffering. She waved her foot over the expanse and the thought of landing at the rocky bottom caused her to move back. As much as sorrow filled her heart, she would never do something as rash as that.
Emlyn wasn’t afraid of being in the cave. Even though as a young lass it had daunted her, she explored and found she enjoyed the solace of being there. How she wished her grandfather was alive. What she wouldn’t do to hear his soothing voice and his opinions on the matters of her heart. He’d always given the soundest advice.
As she walked back toward the chamber, she passed by the eggs she and James had seen when she’d last been in the cavern. They’d hatched and only pieces lay about the large nest by the slimy wall. She knelt and picked up a piece of the shell. Whatever they were, vacated the cave, and she was left to wonder if indeed they were dragons.
She laughed to herself, but wouldn’t disown that they weren’t. For she’d been regaled with her grandfather’s tales of great dragons taking to the sky.
When she reached the antechamber, a knock came at the door. She wasn’t wont to see anyone and decided not to answer. She was in no mood to entertain anyone, let alone allow her sullen mood to affect any who dared to visit. If her father returned yet again to scold her for her misdoings, she would likely fall at his feet and weep in despair.
“Emlyn, open the door, lass. It’s me Griffen.”
She hastened to it and opened the door. As soon as he entered, she slammed it closed and hugged her brother close. “Oh, Griffen, how I have missed you. When did you get back?”
“I just returned and Father told me what happened. Are you injured?”
She shook her head. “Nay, I’m well truly.”