When North Meets South

Chapter 17: The Make Up

For love is as strong as death.

Ardent love as unrelenting as the grave.

Love's flames are fiery flames; the fiercest of all. Mighty waters cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away.

"Stop running stubborn woman!" Mathan yelled trying to catch up to the small woman that had run before he could tell her what he had been struggling to arrange into a near sensible sentence.

How could he tell the woman who apparently wanted nothing to do with him that he was leaving for God knows how long?

Would she even care?

He quickened his steps taking care to be quiet as more than half of the castle would be asleep at this ungodly hour.

He too should have been one of them if he wasn't chasing a woman like a cuckolded husband or better yet packing for their summons to Edinburgh.

He remembered Alastair's face as he had read the words of King Albert's letter and couldn't help but let his worry spur him on.

This time they were riding for more than just court appearances but into a possible war and with war, one couldn't be sure they would be coming back home. But first they would have to go draw support from those stubborn Highlander Lords that shunned the King because of his part English descent. They would at least respect his and Alastair's pedigree as pure Scotsmen plus Alastair's noble nature would surely ensure them victory on this venture.

He had left the man writing correspondence as quick as he could to the first five major clans but with what he had seen, he wasn't sure the man would be finishing those letters at all.

He smiled as he recalled how flushed Gretchen had looked in Alastair's arms when he had interrupted them bearing bad news. Finally those two would be finding home in each other's arms but he couldn't help but feel some sense of guilt that they wouldn't have enough time together.

"Leave me alone, Lord Mathan." She yelled obviously out of breath.

He laughed and gave up running after her. She'd eventually tire out and stop on her own.

She stopped a few paces away and turned to glare at him.

"You stop speaking to me, basically ignore all week and have the audacity to tell all the men in the castle I'm available." She spat. "If that doesn't show exactly how you feel, I wonder what else does."

He stood, squaring his chest as he contemplated her words. He couldn't fault her thinking that way.

He had been stupid treating her that way when he wanted her all to himself.

"I'm sorry lass." He sighed.

She looked taken aback like she hadn't expected him to apologize so readily.

"I should never have treated you thus. You're correct. I was a damn right cad but I don't want to continue fighting with you. God knows I don't have the time for now." He told her honestly. "I'll be leaving at first light to Edinburgh then from there to the Highlands and then England."

She raised a brow at him looking curious. She had stopped crossing her arms but now looked confused like she didn't know what to do with her hands.

"Rest easy, lass." He laughed even though he was worried. "I'll be back before you know it."

"But its nearly winter." She said at last. "How will you travel once snow sets in?"

"That is a problem best not to think about now." He told her.

Feeling emboldened by her concern, he took a step forward. She sent him a hot look that had the familiar stirrings of lust through his blood.

"Then I guess I better give you a soldier's goodbye." She smiled up at him.

Damn. This small woman would be the death of him.

Late update but I trust you had fun reading it.

Next update coming soon!