- Did you like it? - he whispered stopping behind me.
- I love it! - I responded by turning around and hugging his neck.
- You can come whenever you want. It's my private place, but I'd love to share it with you. - he smiled when I kissed his cheek softly.
- Can I start now?
- Sure! - he answered. - I have some letters to read, but have fun!
With a low scream, I let him go and ran to one of the bookshelves. I spent most of the day contemplating the works. There were books everywhere and on various subjects, but what caught my attention was one that talked about botany. I got lost in those words and didn't stop until lunchtime.
It's been a quiet afternoon. We got to know Wally, that Rose was well housed and that she was grateful for the opportunity to have her child in a quiet place. I knew those words were Wally's and not Rose's. I imagined Rose was possessed with me and cursed me every morning. Alistair took advantage of the calm to teach me a little fencing and we went to the yard.
- You're letting your guard down a lot. - Alistair said as soon as I lifted the sword.
- It's pretty hard to remember everything you teach me. - he said, sticking his sword in the ground.
The sword was heavy, but not as heavy as Aila's. There was an emerald on the silver handle and several notches on the Gaelic blade. I recognized the verses of a lullaby I used to sing when I was missing my sister so much.
- I know what it's like, but you're still getting good at it. - he said by tying my waist. - Soon you'll be better than me.
I smiled on tiptoe and then kissed him softly. He grunted and I let out a laugh.
- How about we take a walk? - he suggested sighing.
I just nodded to him, who held my hand steady and holding the sword was guiding me back into the fiefdom. He took me to the stable where our horses were sealed. Alistair helped me to ride and we left side by side towards the forest.
- Riding isn't that hard. - he said. - First you must trust the horse and make him understand that he can trust you too. This you've already managed to do, because it seems Chimera likes you very much.
- I love her, too. - said caressing the mare's back.
- I bought it from a merchant when my sister was only 15. - he said in a sad voice. - Chimera was a beautiful foal, so I thought it would be a great gift for when Cora turned eighteen, because by then the mare would be an adult.
- I'm so sorry!
- It's okay! It's okay! It is still painful to talk about my sister, but I believe she would be happy if the mare were hers.
- Thank you!
We remain silent until we reach the entrance to the forest. I was already decorating that road and I felt safe when we went that way. He'd give it to the open, but Alistair took the road elsewhere. He was showing me some trails that only he, Bruce and Alec, knew. We stopped at the edge of a canyon from where the sea could be contemplated. He lined a blanket and we just lay there and talked about our lives. He told me a little more about Cora, for whom he did not hide a great affection. I closed my eyes when he started caressing my hair. Alistair looked at the horizon, but even though his face did not appear, I knew that he was worried about something. I took the moment to try to figure out what it was all about and maybe help him.
- I noticed you've been worried. - I said in a soft voice. - Can I help you with something?
Alistair smiled at me.
- Bruce is taking a long time to get back.
I leaned on your chest to face your blue eyes.
- Bruce is smart, Alistair. Wherever he is, I know he's all right and he'll be back soon. - I paused to pass my hand on his chest. - Remember the blizzards. Bruce must have gotten stuck because of them.
- I know that, but I'm still worried.
- Listen, I love you so much to see you worried like this. If there's anything I can do to help you, just tell me I will.
Alistair widened his eyes and then stood up sitting with his back to me. I touched your arm, worried about your reaction.
- Something wrong?
- Aideen, I love her so fervently that I was able to send my cousin on a suicide mission just to get rid of the idiot who "threatened" to take away the only woman who ever made sense to me, besides my mother and my sister! - he kissed me softly.
I was staring at Alistair with an enchanted look. His gaze shone with a passion he'd never seen before. There was no lust, only love. That was enough for me, for I was finally truly
