Page 50 of Captured By the Highland Devil
Inside was dark; and she blinked to adjust her eyes, then jerked to a stop when two cats wound through her legs.
“Sit,” Morigha gestured to a stool near a table then sat opposite her. “I see storms wrapped around ye, lass. Ye are torn between two worlds and ye daenae ken which way to turn.”
Paige blinked. “W-what?’
“I see change, all around ye,” she intoned. “Ye daenae ken which way to go, ye have major decisions to make in yer life but ye must decide, very soon. Events will unfold that will force ye to choose a side. Duty, or love will be the question.”
“Duty or love…” she parroted. “I—I have nay idea what ye mean.”
“Ye shall see,” Morigha said. “Ye love deeply, but there is conflict there as well. Ye arenae allowin’ yerself to feel how ye ken ye should.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I think ye mean about me husband.”
“Do ye really think that is what it is?” the seer asked, her hauntingly white eyes looked otherworldly.
Paige frowned, “What else could it be?”
Instead of replying, the seer seemed to gaze right through Paige. “First comes the warrior, second comes the laird, third is the maiden with the healin’ touch.”
Now, Paige was beyond confused. What on earth did she mean by that?
“I think it’s time for me to join me husband,” Paige stood. “Thank ye.”
Stumbling out of the dark tent and into the bright day felt like moving from one world to another and she felt oddly unsettled. Ruben saw her state immediately and went over to her.
His gaze was sharp as he asked, “Are ye all right?”
“Aye,” she shook her head, trying to throw the strange feeling off. “She is just… peculiar.”
“She is.” Ruben steered her to the carts selling hot treats and purchased buns for them.
After a nibble, Paige thought over the baffling prediction then asked, “What did she tell yer faither?”
“That he would find his wife on the battlefield of ice,” he said. “See, me faither went to the aid of a northern clan to stop the invaders.
“Me maither was a healer in trainin’ at that time, and she’d come to the help of the wounded after the battle had ended. Snow had fallen all through the battle so ye can imagine what the field looked like at the end.”
“I see,” Paige finished her food. “She told me I would have to soon choose between love and duty.”
His head jerked back, “And what on earth did she mean by that?”
“I daenae ken.” Paige chose to refrain from telling him the other part of her prophecy.
First comes the warrior, second comes the laird, third is the maiden with the healin’ touch.
Ruben did not know what to make of the first part of the riddle, she was sure he would not unravel that one either. Shrugging, Paige decided to enjoy the fair and while they walked, spoke with more village people who were eager to meet her.
The day slipped away in a sublime mix of children’s laughter, fun games, a few that she won and swiftly passed off the silly toys to the children. When she won a doll, she knew exactly who it was for.
“Where is Nera?” she asked Ruben while looking around.
“Probably with her caretakers,” he said. “Walk with me; let’s find her.”
While they searched the fairgrounds, Ruben paused to inspect some horses for purchase. Paige then noticed a little girl with beautiful black hair, looking around and sniffling.
Paige offered a smile and was surprised to find the child walking toward her.
When the girl stopped in front of her, Paige went down on her haunches and asked, “Are ye all right, little lass?”
