CHAPTER 8

GABRIELLE spent the next two days as far away from Féolan as she could. The sight of him filled her with such longing, she simply did not know how to be in the same room. Gone from the castle by dawn, she spent long hours in the hut where she dried and prepared herbal remedies or working in the Chênier clinic with Marcus. Nights she lay awake, fighting her heart.

Now she stood at the castle gate with her family, ready to bid their guests farewell. She squared her shoulders, grasping at the shreds of her composure and knew it would fail her.

Danaïs had kissed Solange, thanked Jerome gravely and bear-hugged her brother. Now he came to Gabrielle, soft brown eyes filled with gentleness.

“You will be in our hearts always.”

Tears welled up and she could do nothing to stop them. Danaïs opened his cloak and enfolded her, pulling her close. An unlooked-for sense of strength and peace stole into her. A gift, from him to her. In her need, she did not wonder or question but simply accepted. In a while she stood and gave him a shaky smile.

“There, beautiful healer. One small thing can I do for thee.” Danaïs touched his breast and turned to his horse.

Féolan. He stood before her, eyes dark with sorrow. I cannot hold you, Gabrielle thought, willing him to understand. I cannot hold you, or I will never let you go. Féolan put his hand to his heart and then held out his palm. Her hand reached out to meet his and in that gesture were all the words neither one could say. Féolan reached into his pouch, pulled out a folded parchment and tucked it into her hand. “If you ever need me,” he whispered, and kissed her lightly on the brow.

Gabrielle stood watching the riders until they were out of sight. The tears flowed unheeded down her face as the urgent beat of her heart pleaded with her to follow, now, before it was too late. With a last brief appearance on the farthest rise in the road, the tiny figures vanished.