- As I predicted, you have no heart! - I took a deep breath containing the tears. - What if I decide to run away?
Alistair had a laugh.
- I've seen the way you ride, and I doubt you'll go very far. - he said sarcastically and took my chin. - I'd find her as easy as a fox.
Dropping my chin, he took a dagger that was stuck in his boots and cut off the palm of his hand. Approaching the bed he let the blood drip in a strategic place and stain the sheet.
- This will help the washers to have something to say and make my mother happy to support my choice.
Alistair went to the door and closed it tightly when he passed it. I shrunk in bed and the feeling of being dirty took over my body. I knew that feeling, I'd felt it several times before. I started crying as usual. This time I had not been hit in the body, but in my soul. That pain was even more unbearable than any pain I had ever felt before.
Chapter 09
Alistair
I walked down the hall towards the library. I was furious and, at the same time, ashamed of the way I treated Aideen. I had never been rude to a woman before, but the way she confessed that she had been beaten by another man, made me experience a jealousy that I did not know I had. No respectful man married a woman who had already been taken by another, but I didn't care about these idiotic customs. What I didn't like was to be fooled, like Ravenna and Aideen did or tried to do.
- I'm an idiot! - I whispered.
I was still trying to decipher what Ravenna's plan was, in fact, by accepting that Aideen would marry me. I didn't know if it was for money, which was very likely, or if it was something else. The bastard played her part well by pretending to be offensive when I chose Aideen. Loch's attitude didn't surprise me at all, but Annabel's attitude surprised me. I was still bewildered by the fact that she was able to find the passages. Even I didn't know where they all were. I didn't even know there was one in my room. How did she find out?
Aideen seemed to fear much more for his return than for his life. It made me think about those marks on his back and it made me very intrigued. There were still the wrist bandages. It reminded me of that afternoon in the woods, when she threatened to kill herself if I touched her. I was fully aware that Ravenna was too rigid to lock her daughters in the house, away from other people's eyes as she had done for a long time. Whipping his daughter seemed too cruel. Even if it was like punishment for her lying with another man other than her husband...
As far as I could tell, Aideen had been punished at least twice and the fact was recent, since some brands were more visible than others. Maybe she met with him again and was discovered. What if she tried to escape? I had to find out who this man was and make him understand that Aideen was mine.
Taking a deep breath, I decided not to go to the library as I had planned to clear my head. I still had a tremendous hangover because of the drunkenness of yesterday and the day before. On the night of the wedding, I had drunk the bottle of wine and another bottle of whiskey that I found in the library. I got so drunk, I ended up passing out on the floor. Bruce was the one who found me and took me to my room. Thinking about it, I decided to go back to the breakfast table, where my parents were waiting for me. They were leaving for a long period of rest in Dunlock. I wouldn't see them for a long time. I'd give any excuse for Aideen's absence that was very convincing. When I came in I saw Alec and Bruce sharing breakfast with them. We talked about Alec going to the front.
- So you're leaving this morning? - I asked by sipping a sip of tea.
- Yes. Alec nodded. - I'll take that path through the meadow that passes between the villages. That way, I'll get there faster.
Smile shaking your head.
- I couldn't remember this way. - he said. - What's the rush?
- I want to get to know this Breanna you've been talking about so much and get acquainted with the men. - he justified it. - The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll learn.
- You're right! - I took a break. - Do you mind going without Bruce? I'll need it for an urgent matter of interest to me.
Bruce frowned.
- What subject?
- I'll explain later, but I can tell you that I'll need your skills to move in the shadows.
Bruce stared at Alec.
- Can you go on without a nanny?
Alec frowned for a moment and I was surprised by his look. He laughed then, leaving me relieved.
- Certainly, my cousin! - Alec returned it. - Take all the hookers you need.
We laughed for a long time. I didn't want Alec on the front alone, but I trusted Bree and Keilan to help him.
After breakfast, I asked Elaine to meet me at the library. My parents had already left, as had Alec. I didn't know how Aideen found out about Rose being my lover, but I could
