Every time she closed her eyes, vivid images of that horrifying night pushed forward. She relived the terror and agony of watching her home burn with her parents trapped inside. Tears burned in her eyes and she forced herself to focus on Branan. Finally, after years of waiting, of wondering, of agonizing over his mysterious departure, he had returned. She couldn’t deny her joy at seeing him again, but the pain of him leaving remained close to her heart. Why hadn’t he said goodbye? Why had he not sent a note? The uncertainty of not knowing if he was alive or dead remained a thorn embedded permanently in her soul. Now, she was pledged to another and that knowledge nearly shattered her heart. Why had her father done this? Did he have no idea how she felt about Branan, how for the two years Branan had stayed with them, she had been certain her father would betroth her to him? Of course, when Branan disappeared, her father probably thought he would never return, so had no choice but to secure her future in another way.
