Nathaniel,
First and foremost, I want you to know that there is not a day passes that I do not think of you.
Your father still presses for Thomas and I to marry - but we both know where my heart lies. I have made mention of this to your father, and he seems to be pondering the idea. With any luck, it will be so and I will be your bride. Our fathers will FINALLY be pleased, and never again will our beds be without one another.
Fergus and everyone else sends their regards, as well. I believe he misses having you around, although he won't say it. You both love to bicker with one another so! You truly are already a brother to him.
I hope that I will see you soon, and that all is well.
All my love,
Elissa.
—
Nathaniel had read the note so many times that the edges were frayed, and the creases of the folds tore at the paper. He could recite this letter, the last letter he received from Castle Cousland by heart, but having it with him was all that mattered. It was the only materialistic thing aside from his sister's handkerchief that he held onto no matter what he faced.
For a moment he allowed himself to remember her softly tanned skin that felt like velvet underneath his fingertips, and those blue eyes and that wild blonde hair that fell perfectly against her delicate shoulders. The wicked smile she gave only to him when her thoughts went to dark places… and the way she bit her lip after moaning his name in the throes of passion.
Was this truly the woman I once loved? Why would she do this to me? To me!?
The answers didn't matter. He knew in his heart his father was no snake, despite the rumors.
He shook that image from his head, standing in the rain before the keep and adjusted the quiver on his back, ready to plunge arrows straight through her heart and the heart of any that stood in his way, as she had plunged them through his by murdering his father and bringing dishonor to his name.