The Seer - Hildie McQueen Page 0,41

sigh. “This is not the time Dallis, we should be concentrating on yer brother’s happiness.”

“Will my father will withdraw his approval then?”

Just then a group arrived at the gates. Her mother took her hand. “Come we must greet the guests.”

The wedding celebration continued for the rest of the day. It was a long time before Dallis caught a glimpse of Alasdair. He was atop the keep wall with the archers. At one point, he threw his head back in laughter at something another archer said. Her eyes narrowed. How could he be able to laugh when their entire future was unclear?

“Ye’ve only known each other for a short time. Ye can’t expect the man to be too besotted he cannot fathom life without ye?” At the deep voice, Dallis swung around to Niven who lifted a shoulder in response and walked away.

Her own fell. It was true. Here she was behaving like a lovesick idiot, while Alasdair continued on with his daily life. It was after all the nature of living.

How to explain to anyone that her heart was already his?

“Come dance with us!” Fiona called out, her face flushed with happiness. Dallis could not resist and she grinned back. “Ye should save yer energy for later.”

Hands together, fingers entwined, Dallis let go of her thoughts as she and the other women twirled in circles, dancing until late into the night.

“I wondered how long until ye came to demand a reply again.” Her father’s gazed moved from her face to the ceiling. “Dallis, it is not yer place. Ye will await my decision. I will give it when I’m good and ready.”

“It’s been days. Ye act as if nothing is going on. Everyone continues as if nothing is changed. I don’t know how to move forward. Am I betrothed or not?”

She leaned over her father’s desk about to start another round of questions when he looked to the doorway.

Alasdair’s bulk darkened the entrance. With freshly washed hair, trimmed beard, a fresh clean tunic and scabbard across his back, he was resplendent. His gaze was flat when touching on her before he addressed her father.

“Laird, I come to report.” His tone was smooth as always and Dallis tried to keep from sighing.

At the moment, her ire was flamed by neither man seeming to care about the status of their relationship.

“How can ye stand there acting as if nothing happens when ye should be standing next to me demanding to know my father’s decision?” Dallis stomped to stand just inches from Alasdair. “Ye and I are supposed to get married in four days and my father has not said whether the ceremony will take place or not.”

Other than a tick at his jawline, Alasdair was still as a statue. Finally, he looked to her father.

Dallis let out a loud huff and swung to face the other infuriating male in the room. “I demand an answer father. I will not leave until I get it.”

“Ye,” Alasdair said, “will leave now. This is not a matter for ye to handle.” There was a low tone to his voice she’d only heard when he’d been furious with someone. Her blood went icy cold. Did he not care for her anymore?

“I-I...will not leave.”

Alasdair’s right eyebrow hitched just a bit and his chest expanded with a deep breath. It was as if he was trying to keep himself in check. His jaw clenched as each word came out slowly and deliberate. “Dallis go and await yer father’s decision. By acting like a child, ye will not get any answers. This is not a matter for ye to handle. Go. Now.”

Too furious to say anything further, the fight left her. To hell with them both, Dallis lifted her skirts and fled from the room.

She remained in her chamber for the rest of the day. Just before last meal, she donned trues under a short-split skirt and with her sword in hand headed down the stairs and out to where the guards practiced.

After a few hours of hard exercise, she was finally able to keep her temper in check. It wouldn’t do to act a fool at evening meal while many of Fiona’s clansmen remained still.

Instead of going inside, she went to the side garden and leaned on a short wall looking out towards the forest. In the grass just a few feet away, her father’s hound’s barks sounded. Her father stood not too far, throwing sticks for the animals to chase after and retrieve. From the way he