Page 87 of Laird of Smoke
In the end, Adam had to give up.He rinsed the egg from his face and plucked the wart from his nose.He changed back into his lordly attire.Then, discouraged, he set out on the southbound road.
By dusk, Adam was forced to admit he’d lost his quarry.It had been three days with no sign of her.By now she could be anywhere.
He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised.After all, no one had ever been able to track Adam either.And unfortunately, the vixen had as much talent for subterfuge as he did.
He didn’t intend to give up.Ever.The woman had betrayed his trust, and he needed some kind of retribution for that.Even if it was only the return of his things.
But for now he had to change his priorities.He had to be about the king’s business.How soon Malcolm would attack Fergus, he didn’t know.He needed to be prepared.
Still, wherever he went and whatever he did, he’d remain vigilant.He’d look for Aillenn in every face.Study every nun, every archer, every noblewoman, every servant who crossed his path.Keep his ears alert to every murmur, every laugh, every sigh he heard.He had her scent now, deep in his lungs and his soul.
If and when she crossed his path, he’d know.
Lady Aillenn—whoever she really was—might think she’d escaped unscathed.But Adam wasn’t done with her.Not by any means.
Three more days passed, and Adam began to wonder if he’d only imagined the beautiful changeling he’d been pursuing.There was absolutely no trace of her.She’d vanished like mist in sunlight.
Though he’d inquired at every alehouse between Rowallan and Ayr, he found nothing.It didn’t help that he couldn’t describe the person he hunted.And in the end, he had nothing to show for his efforts but an ale-induced headache.
Lying on the threadbare straw-stuffed pallet of the cheap inn he’d found on the outskirts of Ayr, Adam eyed the satchel beside the bed.If Aillenn were here, he’d ask her which of the dozen vials contained a remedy for an aching head.But the unmarked potions were useless to him.For all he knew, he might end up drinking hemlock.
As his temples pulsed, he frowned at the satchel.Its contents were mostly unhelpful.Except for the silver coins.Those he’d used to keep his belly full and a roof over his head.But the rest were only a painful reminder of the woman who had broken his heart.
It would be best if he pretended he’d never met her.He could imagine she’d beenone of the fae folk—charming, elusive, and dangerous—who’d left him a cache of silver.Perhaps by her leaving, he’d escaped a close brush with death.
It would be an easier story to believe if he didn’t have her possessions weighing him down with the stark proof of her existence.
He reached down and wrenched open the top of the satchel.
There it was again.The red velvet gown.And with it, the cloud of feminine fragrance that wafted forth to fill his nostrils and his heart and his loins with wistful longing.
He needed to get rid of it before it drove him mad.
It was half a day’s journey to his sister Feiyan’s keep, Castle Darragh.Perhaps he’d go there on the morrow.It would be a relief to be himself for a while.He’d give Feiyan the satchel of clothing and trade it for something more useful.And he could confer with Feiyan and her husband Dougal mac Darragh about rumors of the king’s forthcoming attack on Fergus before heading to Galloway himself.
He lifted Aillenn’s gown to his face to take one more deep breath.He closed his eyes as desire and pain washed over him.Then he stuffed the garment back into the satchel, wishing he’d never met the beautiful deceiver with the wide, wet, innocent eyes.
Chapter 14
“Feiyan!”
Adam waved up at his sister from Darragh’s courtyard.
“Adam!”she cried.
She’d been doing hertaijiquandrills atop the wall walk as usual.He’d been watching her graceful movements for several moments from below, peering between the crenellations.It was a rare person who’d dare interrupt Feiyan’s exercises.But Adam knew she’d forgive her brother.
“What areyoudoing here?”she asked, leaning over the parapet to peer down at him.“No one warned me you were coming.”
“Am I not welcome in my sister’s keep?”He crossed his arms in false outrage.
“Don’t be a dalcop,” she scolded.“I’ll be right down.”
She eyed the rampart for a moment, as if she was considering leaping down to the courtyard from there.Then, being heavy with child, she reconsidered and rushed back into the keep to take the stairs.
Adam couldn’t help but smile as she waddled briskly across the courtyard.It wouldn’t be long before she delivered.
Feiyan, however, was frowning.Instead of the welcome embrace he expected, she gave him a great shove.Even the castlefolk milling about the courtyard seemed taken aback.
