She was able to see the road to Allistair castle within moments of leaving the hunter’s croft. Through teary eyes, she made her way up the long winding road, paying no attention to her surroundings. She had left her heart barely beating on the floor of the tiny hut where she’d given it to Aiden. No amount of time would ever ease the ache or the emptiness left behind. Her emotions ran amok, wavering between anger and despair and back again. Could she truly fault him for wanting to keep her safe? Aye, she could and did. Every fiber of her being screamed that she was safer with him than without. She loved him without question or restraint. Yet he had spoiled every bit of hope, no matter how dim or unrealistic, of ever having anything to resemble a ‘normal’ life. She would never marry, no matter how poor or desperate she might become. She would never give her body or her heart to another man. After a time, when she chanced a glance at the road ahead, she began to make out a castle in the distance.
