Faodail

Prologue

"Flora, I understand that you're scared." 

Her lips trembled as her fiance's voice wavered. How despicable was she?

"It really is alright -- everyone gets cold feet before their wedding day. I'm not angry."

His reassurance had the opposite effect of its intended purpose, causing her stomach to twist violently with guilt. She shouldn't have been here. She should have been back in London with Oliver, giddy over her approaching wedding date. She shouldn't have come to Inverness to ask a pile of stones to whisk her away.

Why was she such a coward?

"Your grandmother told me you came home. She also told me you needed a little time to get over your nerves, and I don't mind giving you that if that's what you need. But, darling," Oliver paused, and Flora held her breath. The buzzing in her ears grew louder the closer she came to the stones, though she assumed it was because she was on the verge of a panic attack. "Please, call me back. I'm worried about you. And I really feel like if we just talk, you'll feel a lot better about everything."

But she wouldn't, couldn't. These weren't just your run of the mill last-minute jitters; no, these were second thoughts, and they were the kind that made her realize she wasn't ready to marry Oliver. She might never be ready, in fact, and how was she supposed to tell him that?

She listened as Oliver hesitated, perhaps unsure how to end such an uncomfortable call. "Well, get some rest, and try not to worry too much. I love you, Flora." 

The automated voice of her cellphone drifted away as the buzzing grew impossibly loud. Oblivious to her phone slipping between her fingers, Flora inched closer and closer to the stones of Craigh na Dun until finally, her hands pressed against the cool stone, and all went black.