Page 118 of The Speed of Lightning
He nodded.
With a smile she handed it back to him. “Read it for me.”
He licked his lips, taking the note. “All right—but I’m no bard. I’m just—well—I’m not much for words.”
Affection swelled in her chest. “It makes no difference. Go on, read it.”
He cleared his throat.
“Freya Fair?—
My love, the fairest star
Her smile metallic light
Heaven adorned afar
To keep within a jar
I’d love, but only blight
My love, the fairest star
Guiding, leading you are
Beams of love and right
Heaven adorned afar
Clouds form to block and bar
The vast beauty of her night
My love, the fairest star
Wand’ring, without her Mars
The skies I search for sight
Heaven adorned afar.”
He folded the ballad and held it out to her, his fingers unsteady. “You are, and have always been, my Freya Fair—shining your soul’s beauty into the vast night.”
Her vision blurred as she took the vellum from him, hardly able to breathe.
He gave a sheepish snort, rubbing the back of his neck. “Cota Liath said it was… passable.”
She laughed and pulled him into her arms, covering his mouth with eager kisses. “Passable? Calum MacLean, it’s themost beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Not because it’s perfect—but because it’s yours.”
He straightened, gathering his things into the trunk. “Are ye ready to go, lass? We’ve only a few hours we can spare from home. Iain’s readying the cog now.”
The joy she felt trembled, and she clutched the ballad to her chest wishing it could shield her from what was about to unfold. She nodded quickly, smoothing her expression into something steady. “Aye, I need to wash and change, but I can be ready in a few minutes.”
He buckled on his dirk. “I’ve go’ to go talk with Hector. He said there’s something urgent he needs to discuss. I dinnae ken what.”
The words struck like a bell inside her, sharp and terrible. Surely Hector did not mean to reveal what had happened without her. Her heart leapt into her throat, but she forced a calm mask. “I couldnae imagine what.”
“I’ll meet you onboard in just a few minutes. David will be in to collect the trunk when you’re ready.”
