Chapter 38
Their fleeting lustful moment in the creek vanished from both their minds as quickly as it had erupted. Jamie's clouded memory swirling with thoughts as he returned to his men.
"Do ye think she is fit fer travelling?" He murmured to no one in particular.
"Aye, if ye take it slow with plenty of breaks." Murtagh answered back. "Will ye be taking her with ye then?"
Jamie thought for a long moment. The path before him forking, an opportunity presenting itself.
"Lad!" Murtagh called again, shaking Jamie from his thoughts.
"Will the lass be returning with us to Leoch or will she be going with ye?"
His eyes darted towards the movement at the hill. Daniea struggling to walk back towards her bedroll. Every step she took was clearly agonizing.
"She'll be returning to Leoch with ye." Jamie stated gruffly.
The light that had brightened Murtagh's normally sour disposition died.
"Aye," He agreed, stalking away from the boy to pack up his portion of the camp.
The silence of the camp was deafening as Angus, Rupert and Ned followed suit. Jamie meanwhile sat on the hill crest wrestling with not only his feelings but Dougal's words until he spied Raven untying himself from his hitch; and made his way over to Daniea.
The usually antsy beast gingerly folded himself down into the sweet grass and settled his head in Daniea's lap. If one had not known better, they might have mistaken the stallion for a loyal hound. Only a few short minutes later Murtagh followed and informed her that they were done breaking camp.
It came as no real surprise to her that Jamie had opted to part ways with the group; especially after everything he had been put through, yet the news still managed to sting.
Resembling a banshee of old in her charred chemise, she drifted over to where he sat. Cautiously he stood to face her, unease radiating from his tense form.
"James…" Daniea began, "I...I just wanted to say... thankyou. Thankyou for saving me from the pyre."
The simplicity of her words threw Jamie off balance; they were not what he had anticipated at all. She then followed by gently passing Raven's reins over to him before turning to leave; she made sure to add one final thought as she caressed the stallion's mane for a final time.
" Jamie...go n-éirí an bóthar leat."
The simple gaelic blessing sang to his aching soul. After all that had transpired between them, she still truly had the warmth within her to simply wish him well on his journey ahead. The warmth that had driven him to love her so deeply that no one could ever compare; was still truly there. He was not imagining it as he had imagined so much over the last few months.
Forcing the sweet gesture from his thoughts he returned to envisioning the forked path stretching out before him as she hobbled back towards Murtagh. Jamie's heart began to race as he wrestled with his decision. His heart and mind completely torn on which road to take.
His head knew that Daniea was more trouble than she was worth. Legally he could now annul the wedding and start fresh as Laird of Lallybroch if he so wished. He would be master of his own life again with no need to run from anyone. And he would be able to finally reunite with his family and could decide to court a young woman of his choosing.
He tried again and again to convince himself that it was not love that he had with her but lust and a need for possession. But as soon as he thought he would take that direction, the wind would whip the sweet scent of lilac and black currant towards him. The ghost of her final touch flitting away towards the moors, twisting and contorting his insides with agonizing yearning.
