Page 43 of Midnight Sun
“Still training?” Jamie asks.
Sigrún smiles at him. “No. Finn asked me to prepare Glói for you. Aren’t you riding to his lodge to stay the weekend?”
“Sure,” Jamie replies tonelessly, new anger bubbling up in his chest. A weekend away with Finn would’ve been a welcome reprieve. It’s Finn’s fault everything is ruined now. He should’ve told Jamie sooner. And he shouldn’t have disagreed with Jamie in front of Audrey. What kind of supportive boyfriend does that?
Jamie watches Sigrún work for a few minutes, disappointment over the lost weekend settling in. He isn’t looking forward to spending the time alone in a hotel room, however luxurious, instead of curled up in Finn’s arms. But what choice does he have? He needs to make his point clear. Luckily, Peter doesn’t take long to return. But Jamie needs only one look at his face to know something is wrong.
“I’m sorry to inform you that there’s no car available at the moment.”
“What do you mean? This is a movie production, goddammit, there must be a car and a driver available.”
“I’m sorry, sir. But the whole set is moving. Maybe, if you give me a few minutes, I can borrow a private vehicle from someone. I can drive you myself if necessary.”
No way is Jamie enduring an hour-long ride in Peter’s mind-numbing company. To make things worse, he can see Finn making his way over to them. Jamie knows that he’ll most probably cave and accompany Finn to his cabin if he talks to him now. The longing way Finn talks about his grandma’s farm alone makes Jamie desperate to visit the place.
Jamie is frozen, unsure what to do. But then his gaze falls on Sigrún who finished saddling Glói. Jamie slips into the paddock and takes the reins from her.
“Thank you, Sigrún.” Jamie jumps into the saddle. “Which hotel have you booked, Peter?”
“The Sólfoss Hotel in Ísafjörður, but–”
“Tell Finn to meet me there if he wants to apologize.”
“Mister Arden, wait!” Sigrún calls after him. “It’s a long ride to Ísafjörður! You can't just–”
Jamie isn’t listening. He enjoys Finn’s horrified expression as he gallops past him toward the mountain path Finn told him leads to his cabin and his grandmother’s farm. Jamie knows Ísafjörður is the closest town, so the hotel can’t be too far away, and Jamie has a navigation app on his phone. Together with his trusty Glói, nothing can go wrong.
The pathway that leads away from the coast and up into the rugged mountains is breathtaking. A fresh breeze drifts up from the sea and ruffles Jamie’s hair, but the evening is warm enough that he doesn’t freeze in his light tunic. As soon as the movie set is out of sight, Jamie slows Glói down into a comfortabletölt.
The landscape is stunning enough to lull Jamie into a state of tranquil awe. For the best part of an hour, he’s able to enjoy the loneliness, and the easy way Glói carries him. But as the path grows narrower and Glói starts to sweat, Jamie decides he has to slow down and orient himself. An uneasy feeling gnaws at his insides as he takes in the utter vastness of the land. Maybe the way to Ísafjörður isn’t so easily found after all.
Jamie pulls out his mobile and tries to switch it on. The display stays black. He tries again but only a symbol of a low battery blinks mockingly at him. A fresh wave of frustration hits Jamie, the calm ride forgotten. With an angry yell, Jamie throws the phone to the ground, making Glói startle and prance. It’s Peter’s job to ensure that his devices are charged at any time. Have they all sworn against him? Jamie’s surely not riding back to be mocked by Finn.
“Okay, Glói, let’s move on.”
Jamie can only guess how long he’s been wandering around in the wilderness. The beauty of the barren mountains and sparse vegetation doesn’t register anymore, for Jamie fears he’s truly lost. Damn.
He slips out of the saddle and guides Glói down to the water of a fast-flowing stream to drink. Jamie’s fingers brush over the saddle and along the hilt of the sword Sigrún attached there. A self-deprecating smile curves Jamie’s lips. If method acting were his thing, this would be the perfect opportunity to feel as lost and overwhelmed as the knight he plays. Jamie leans his head against Glói’s plush mane.
“Shit,” he whispers against the soft coat.
Glói lifts his head and snorts.
“Yeah, I know, boy, it’s my fault.”
His horse starts pawing restlessly at the shore. As Jamie looks up, he sees Glói’s ears twitching, his head turned to peek down the path.
“Is someone coming, boy?”
Something like apprehension constricts Jamie’s chest. Is Finn coming after him? Or has someone else followed him out here? The thought of the stalker was disturbing before, but Jamie never felt this exposed.
He guides his horse to the path and climbs back into the saddle. He considers trying to outrun his pursuer, but Glói’s already exhausted and Jamie doesn’t favor a confrontation when he’s been chased down. So he waits. It’s not long before he hears the clatter of hooves. Jamie’s palms turn clammy and he clutches the reins tighter. He dreads facing the person who has been tormenting him for so long now, but on the other hand, it’ll be a relief to finally find out who’s hiding behind the mask. Jamie’s thoughts have been revolving around the question of the stalker’s identity for far too long.
Rounding a formation of rocks further down the path, a rider comes into view. A sigh of relief escapes Jamie’s lips, though the feeling is immediately replaced by anger. It’s Finn who slows down his horse as soon as he sees them.
Jamie shudders. He knows he has to talk to Finn, but he feels like a cornered animal, ready to flee or lash out at anyone trying to get close to him.
“Jamie, wait!" Finn senses his next move before Jamie even has time to form a coherent thought, but Finn’s stern voice shakes him out of his stupor. Jamie turns Glói and dashes off further down the path, his only thought to get away.