Page 65 of The Splendor of Fire
Hector’s face screwed up. “Hesmelledyou?”
She rolled her eyes.It sounds strange I know, but it was tender. He talked of his son, and his memory of every detail of his boy’s face… and I knew he was a good man. And then he put this around my neck.She pulled out the chain.And… smelled.
“That’s why you fought so hard to deliver the message. You love him.”
She nodded with wonder. She did.When I returned, he looked awful. He’d wasted down to skin and bones. They’d moved him up to the tower but he looked …empty. I thought he may be near death. He seemed to have no will to fight.
“That isn’t like Léo. Not at all. He could pick a fight with a nun.”
I thought the same. He wasn’t the man who came to Cràdh and insulted me. I gave him the messages from Mull and then he began speaking French. I didn’t know what it meant. And he told me.
Hector leaned forward. “What did it mean?”
“Your heart is more precious than gold.” Then he told me to wear this necklace as his chosen, and he said, “Give me your heart.”
“Donne-moi ton cœur.”
Yes. And then…we kissed some more.She blushed.A lot. I stopped it before we crossed a line. And then he apologized. As if he regretted kissing me at all. And then the guards came. They took us to Niall. Niall seized me and Léo was forced to the ground—too weak to fight back. Father attacked Niall and I knew he would die. And that is the last I remember. If I hadn’t been there Father would still be alive.
“And you think that what you do, or don’t do, informs the very nature of God?”
She stilled, unsure how to respond.Yes…no…who can tell God what to do? But my actions…they led to punishment.
“Moira, I’ll be honest with you. I don’t believe God took your father because you kissed the man you love, and who loves you. Or because you were there that day trying to help Léo.”
She shook her head.Léo doesn’t love me.
“I think he might, Moira. The man is good looking, andochhe knows it. Always has. Used it to flirt with and charm women, but never did he kiss or touch a woman. I lived with him for seven years and I’m telling you he would never. Not until he met Théa. Not until he loved, and even then, he married her.”
She shook her head in disagreement, thinking of Ardis.
“You can shake your head all you want, but I know him. Moira, your father was killed because Niall is an evil man. Your mother was killed because Niall is an evil man. Your voice was lost because you got sick as a girl. And look at the extraordinary things God has given you. You can fly through trees and tumble around like a butterfly. You can see the detail and beauty in creation and sketch the movement in a baby’s mouth while he dreams. And you are bold. The boldest woman I’ve ever met.”
His words touched a painful rip, and she wondered if he was right.
“You should’ve waited for us to take care of the siege engine, but you did it, Moira. You destroyed the siege engine all by yourself. Something that I was going to put every man on—made a bit of a mess. Unintentionally eliminated some of the enemy force…but make no mistake, they are enemies. Opposed to the King of the Isles, instigators of violence and cruelty, which is why Calum and Iain were so angry you went by yourself and took such risk with your life and safety. We’ve engaged them in battle, seen the destruction in the villages across the Islands and Scotland. They’re brutal men. What did Léo say?”
He doesn’t know I am part of the Shield. He doesn’t know about the tunnel. He doesn’t know what I can do. He thinks me only Niall’s leman. And he’s angry with me because of it, he says I’ve hurt him. He avoids me and castigates me.
“Did word never reach him through Mowbray about your actions?”
I don’t believe so. He’s angry I act the way I do with Niall. Then he was almost sent back to prison because of the destruction of the siege engine. Niall thought he destroyed it. But he was able to account for his time in his room that night.
“How?”
A maid confirmed that they were together all night.
Hector’s mouth dropped open. “Oh.”
Hurt seared her heart.It’s over, Hector.He’s finished with me. I cannot bear the thought of him knowing what I did to those men. That because of me he was almost thrown back in Cràdh. I don’t know how to begin to explain. Tears stung her eyes and Hector wiped them away.
“Now don’t start cryin’ again. You must tell him, Moira. If Léo knows that you work with the Shield he will protect you. And if things go wrong he can help you get away. And something tells me if he knew what you were up to and what you’ve done to save us, and him, all would be forgiven.”
Perhaps. But things would never be the same.
“Are you willing to go back to Dun Ringill? Do you wish to continue? If you’ve had enough I would understand. I will take you home with me right now.”
Her love for Léo strengthened her heart. No matter what hethought, she had committed herself to him as his chosen.Yes. I cannot leave Léo there. And when Niall returns from Scotland there may be more information to be gleaned about the Wolf’s plans. I must go back.
