The soft crunch of snow had him stilling his thoughts and listening more closely to the sound. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the footfalls were not animal, but human. He positioned himself, knife in hand, as the steps got closer.
His knife was at the man’s throat, ready to slit it if he made one move, though he dropped his hand fast enough as soon as he recognized Artair.
Artair rubbed his throat. “I am grateful you are more skillful with a knife than I last remember.”
“Necessity,” Ronan said, and returned to his perch beneath the evergreen branches.
Artair joined him. “You thought someone here would do you harm?”
“You never know.”
“But this is a sanctuary, a place of peace.”
Ronan gave a gruff laugh. “There is no place of peace.”
“The people here believe so.”
“They foolishly trust,” Ronan said.
“Perhaps they have faith.”
“Faith is an ally I have yet to trust,” Ronan said.
“Do you trust me?” Artair asked.
“You are my brother.”
“That goes without question, but do you trust me?”
“That goes without question as well,” Ronan said.
“I can’t imagine what you and Cavan have suffered,” Artair admitted sadly. “I can’t imagine returning home after being away from those you love for so long. But what I do know is that I am your brother and will always be here for you.”
“You always were the understanding one,” Ronan said, with a smile that barely reached his lips.
Artair grinned. “See, some things never change.”
Oddly enough, the thought made Ronan feel better.
“Do you plan on remaining here all night?” Artair asked.
“You were the one who pointed out that Carissa had to have a plan of escape,” Ronan reminded. “And I plan on being there and foiling it.”
“It’s cold, snowing, and with little moonlight to guide, I doubt she would foolishly attempt an escape tonight.”
“You don’t know Carissa as well as I do,” Ronan reminded. “She is one that can never, ever be trusted. Her word means nothing and worst of all—“He had to pause, for painful memories flooded his mind. “Worst of all,” he repeated firmly, “she has no heart.”
Artair grasped Ronan’s shoulder. “Then, my brother, we will see that she follows her father to his grave.”
Carissa paced in front of the hearth unable to sleep, but then she required little sleep. She had been taught to be alert to sounds, and so she slept lightly and very little, always feeling the need to be ready at a moment’s notice. And now that was more important than ever. She had to make an escape and that would not be easy with Ronan, no doubt, being her shadow.
He had to be out there right now, hiding in wait for her. She was not foolish, but then he would also know that, and that was why it would be that much harder to get away.
She stopped pacing and sunk onto a chair at the table. Bethane’s words kept returning to her, but there was no way she could trust her heart, especially now, for it was so badly broken. She sometimes wondered if she truly had the strength to continue. Would it be better to meet her fate? A fate the Sinclares claimed was inevitable and perhaps justifiably so.
How could she even think that she could shed her identity and start life over as someone new? Perhaps she was foolish after all.
Carissa chased away the disturbing thoughts and forced herself to concentrate on the predicament at hand. First and foremost, she needed to escape and if that proved successful, she could take the next step. But presently, that is where her concentration was needed.
To try an escape while all the Sinclares where here would be foolish, too many eyes watching her. Once they left, she’d have only Ronan to contend with, and that would prove better odds for her, though…
She raised her head, rushing her fingers through her long hair. They might be expecting that, and the others could lie in wait for her. Perhaps it would be wise of her to take her leave with everyone here. It could very well catch them off guard, and by the time they settled on a plan of action, she could be far gone.
The problem was that they were to leave in the morning, which meant she only had a few hours left if she was to plan a successful escape.
Carissa stood and went into the bedroom off the main room of the cottage and dressed quickly, donning extra layers for warmth and so she would have room to carry more important items in her bundle. She got busy, sunrise not far off. She had to be ready to take her leave. With the help of a friend, she would slip away unnoticed.
Only two inches of snow covered the ground, though the gray sky and chilled air certainly promised more. And that possibility drove the discussion among the Sinclares.