Highlander's Trials of Fire

“Ye would nae try to tell anyone about this. I ken that much.” She took a step forward.

“Actually, ye ken nothin’.”

“I ken there must have been a reason why ye said that in the first place. I’m here to find out why.”

“How many times do I need to tell ye that ye should nae ask too many questions?”

“If it feels as if ye are abandonin’ me to fend for

meself, then I’m sure I have enough reason for this one question. Why did ye say that? Do ye have a plan that I daenae ken about?”

There was a sharp exhale, an exasperated sigh. “That is the exact reason why I have steered the Laird to question ye servants. Ye ken too much about me plans, and all the things I’ve done.”

Freya gasped silently. She clutched her dress, the one she had stolen from Jonet’s closet in order to look pretty. Yet now, with her cascading blond hair and her pretty blue dress, Freya felt very out of place. She felt something akin to shame.

Those words washed over her while she simply stared at the dark figure, willing them to step into the light. She wanted to see their face, but it seemed they were content to stay there. It meant she had to swallow the hurt when she realized what he was trying to do. She had to get to the bottom of it all.

“Ye are tryin’ to get rid of me,” she whispered.

There came a chuckle. “Ye are much too dramatic.”

“But I’m right,” she pressed. She came closer, stepping into the spot of starlight. “Because I ken so much about everythin’ ye’ve done, ye want to get me out of the way.”

“I simply wanted to move away any suspicisoins from meself, is all.”

“I doubt there were any to begin with.”

Again, another chuckle. The laugh she had always liked so much was now condescending when aimed at her. “I suppose that means ye daenae ken everythin’, doesnae it?”

Freya stood as rigid as stone. She fought the waves of emotions that came over her, never taking her eyes off that dark figure. As she did, she knew that he was watching her too. She tried to maintain her composure, not wanting to become too emotional so quickly. Stiffly, she turned and made her way to the bed to sit down. For some reason, it made her feel as if she were on even grounds with him.

“Tell me what ye plan to do next then,” she demanded. “Who will take the fall for this?”

“I never said anyone will take the fall. If nay one can be found, then the Laird will simply forget about it. They will be tense for a while, waiting for a move, but eventually they will let their guard down.”

Freya lifted her head, regarding the figure with narrowed eyes. She did not think it would be that easy. The Laird was well known for being very protective of Jonet. He would not just sit still if he knew that the culprit was still out there.

She also retained a bit of pleasure at how easily she had obtained that information. As standoffish as he appeared to be, nothing could beat the excitement he felt whenever a new plan came to fruition. She imagined it took them one step closer to his goal, the goal she had never been able to learn.

She could hear about it another time—or perhaps weed it into this conversation somehow—after she had discovered all she needed to know for her safety. Being so close to Jonet meant she had her trust, but Jonet was an uncertain woman driven by her past troubles. Freya did not know much longer that would last.

“And if they daenae?” she asked. “If they continue until they find somethin’ that leads to me?”

“Ye are a good liar. Ye have been doin’ it to Jonet for some time now.”

“I willnae fair so well when faced with the Laird. He will throw me into the dungeons at the slightest hesitation.”

“Have some faith in yerself. Jonet willnae let that happen.” The voice was light and friendly. They were becoming more at ease, clearly comforted by their believed perfection of this plan.

It pained her to say what she did next. “I daenae trust ye.”

“Oh?”

“There is somethin’ ye arenae tellin’ me and I want to ken what it is or else I willnae leave here.”

Silence. She held his gaze—or at least hoped she did.

“Ye look lovely, ye ken. I noticed it the moment ye walked in. I’ve always liked it when ye let yer hair out of that braid.”