Page 90 of Taming the Eagle

“As did I,” Fenella replied, wiping at her cheeks. “But instead, he was kind.”

Mona’s eyes glittered with tears now. She took Fenella’s hands, squeezing tightly. “You trusted him then?”

Fenella swallowed hard, as her throat thickened once more. “Aye,” she rasped, admitting the truth fully to herself now. “With my life.”

Night lay over Lochan Uaine, a full moon sailing high above. Silver reflected over still waters while the crannog slumbered.

But Fenella didn’t sleep.

Instead, she sat behind her family’s dwelling, on the edge of the walkway, legs dangling over the water. A satchel sat next to her, filled with a bladder of water, oatcakes, and some hard cheese. She was leaving the crannog with the dawn and didn’t want to disturb her family.

Craning her neck up, Fenella gazed upon the moon. It shone so brightly tonight that she could be traveling now.

But where would she go?

She sighed then, rubbing her hand over her face. Her conversation with her mother earlier had been like the lancing of a festering wound. All the things she’d been nursing had poured out of her. Finally, she’d been honest with herself. And in the end, Mona had held her while she wept.

Her mother hadn’t questioned her further; she’d merely listened while Fenella recounted her life at Ardoch. And when Fenella had finished her tale, Mona had favored her with a wistful smile. “At least you have memories you can cherish.”

Her mother’s words returned to her now, churning over in her mind as she swung her legs back and forth over the water.

Memories.

She didn’t want the best of her life to be behind her.

She didn’t want to live with regret for the remainder of her days.

He doesn’t know I love him.

Justin had proved that not all men would hurt her. He alone was worthy of her trust.

Glancing back at the moon, Fenella inhaled the cool night air deep into her lungs. “What should I do?” she whispered to its friendly face.

Go to him.The whisper echoed to her, soft yet sure.Fight for him.

Fenella’s breathing quickened, her skin tingling.

Her gaze narrowed as she continued to stare up at the moon. Was her mind playing tricks on her?

Perhaps, but she had an answer nonetheless.

This is madness. To return to Ardoch and face Justin again terrified her. And yet as the plan formed in her mind, the ache under her breastbone eased.

Aye, such a move could end badly for her, but at least she wouldn’t spend her days wondering what might have been. His feelings could have changed. But if Justin spurned her, he’d do so knowing that she loved him.

Aye, she had her freedom back. She could choose her path forward—and she chose him.

Clambering to her feet, Fenella picked up her satchel and slung it across her front. The road back to Ardoch was long; she might as well get a head start. She still had the fen pony Justin had gifted her, which would make the journey quicker.

She could wait till morning, but she wouldn’t.

Now she’d made her choice, she wished to act on it.

Fenella drew her pony up before the blackened shell of Ardoch.

Disbelieving, she gazed upon the ruin of the once-mighty fort, before she urged her pony up the causeway and through the charred frame of the Porta Praetoria.

The pony snorted, tossing its head. Urging it on, Fenella scanned what was left of Ardoch. Heaps of ash lay where the barracks had once stood on either side of the Via Praetoria, the sharp scent of burned matter stinging the back of her throat.