Hiraeth

Chapter Thirty Six

The sun had barely begun to rise, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange when Sage awoke, nestled in the warmth of Beckett's arms. She blinked slowly, taking in the sight of his face, peaceful and serene in sleep. A soft smile tugged at her lips; last night had felt like a beautiful dream, a world away from the shadows that had haunted them both.

Sage extricated herself gently from Beckett's embrace, careful not to wake him. She needed a moment alone to gather her thoughts, to breathe without the weight of her worries resting on her heart. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and made her way to the balcony, the cool morning air brushing against her skin.

The estate was waking up around her. The distant sounds of birds chirping and servants bustling about reached her ears. She leaned against the railing, her gaze wandering over the vast gardens below. The flowers were blooming vibrantly, a sign that life continued to flourish even when shadows threatened to invade.

Just as she was starting to lose herself in thought, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and she turned to see Beckett standing behind her, hair tousled and eyes still sleepy but glowing with warmth.

"There you are," he said, stepping out into the cool morning air. "I thought I'd lost you to the dawn."

"I needed a moment," she replied softly, turning her gaze back to the horizon. "I'm still processing everything."

Beckett approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. His touch was grounding, reminding her of the warmth and security he brought into her life. "What are you thinking about?"

Sage hesitated, the fear of unspoken thoughts clinging to her tongue. "Just...everything. The rumors, the fights, and how easily things could have gone wrong between us."

"Hey," he said gently, tilting her chin to meet his gaze. "What matters is that we're here now, together. We've faced worse and come out stronger."

"I know," she said, her heart swelling with affection. "It's just hard to shake the feeling that someone is still trying to come between us. I keep thinking about who started those rumors. Why would anyone want to hurt us like that?"

"I'll find out," Beckett promised, determination hardening his gaze. "No one will stand in our way. We'll get to the bottom of it together."

Sage felt a flicker of comfort at his words, but the unease lingered. Just then, a loud commotion echoed from the estate's main hall, breaking their moment of serenity. Voices raised in agitation reached them, and they exchanged concerned glances.

"Let's check it out," Beckett suggested, taking her hand as they hurried inside.

They rushed down the stairs, the noise growing louder as they entered the hall. A small group had gathered, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. At the center stood Kade, his hands raised, trying to calm the growing tension.

"What's going on?" Beckett demanded, stepping forward, Sage at his side.

Kade turned to them, his face pale. "There's been an incident-some of the neighboring lords and ladies have been spreading rumors, and now they're demanding an audience with you, Beckett. They claim you're not fit to lead and that Sage-" he hesitated, looking at Sage with concern, "is at risk."

Sage's heart dropped. "What do they want?"

"They're here to confront you about the rumors," Kade replied, his voice tense. "And some are suggesting that the estate should be put under review until it's cleared up."

"Review?" Beckett's voice was low and dangerous. "They're trying to undermine us."

"Exactly," Kade said, frustration evident in his tone. "They're seizing on any weakness they think they can exploit."