Page 12 of To Wed a Witch
She frowned in confusion."I dinnae understand."
"I meant her father.Do ye still harbor feelings for him?"
Sìne thought it a strange question but answered regardless."I...at the time I thought I did.But I dinnae believe so.He promised we would wed, then refused in the end."
"So he abandoned ye, then went off and got himself killed."
"Aye."
"Were ye going to tell me?"
She shook her head.
He merely nodded at her honesty, then he paused as if contemplating something."Let me guess...yer father thought it best to keep her a secret.That's why ye snuck out of the Keep...because a babe needs her mother."
"Aye.I was to make my final goodbyes and forget she ever existed.But I could not."
Bhaltair flinched at her words and frowned.He looked about the cottage with clothes folded ready to be packed and then through the window to the garden when it struck him."Ye were preparing provisions to run away with the bairn, weren't ye?"
"Aye.So ye see, ye are not getting the good end of a bargain.Not only am I a mad witch who foolishly lay with a man who was not her husband, but I would have abandoned my duty without a word for the sake of my child."
"As any good mother should," Bhaltair replied.His tone was weighted as something flickered in his eyes.Something Sìne could not quite catch, but she knew there was more to the statement than she could fathom at that moment.
"And is this why ye were moved to the middle of nowhere to eke out an existence?Hidden away from the world with everyone thinking ye a witch living in the haunted woods?"Bhaltair asked.
"Aye.I believe so...but—"
"But what?"
"Seeing as we are being truthful, the rumors also began because I hear voices."
The babe chose that moment to fuss for her mother and reach out her arms.Bhaltair gestured for Sìne to see to her daughter, which she willingly did.He watched as she lifted her into her arms and soothed her with loving gestures as she gently rocked her.
Bhaltair frowned and asked, "What voices?"He waited for her reply, even as he was mesmerized watching her care for her child.
Sìne continued, "In the mist, I mean.Since I was a child.When the mist comes, I ken 'tis always for a reason.I hear the whisper of voices often."
Bhaltair replied, "Aye, I also sensed something in the mist when we made our way here.Nothing menacing but present nonetheless."
"Ye did?"Sìne asked in surprise.
"Aye, but I consider 'tis best not to entertain what ye canna control lest ye give it more power than it's worth."
"And it does not scare ye?"
"We walk between two worlds, one seen and unseen.Any god-fearing person would ken that much.But I choose not to dwell on it.I say my prayers and stick to lighted paths lest I open doors best left well alone."
Sìne watched Bhaltair with astonishment, and she felt profound relief that he understood without judging her.But he was right, it was not good to dwell or put much stock in such things.
Her daughter began fussing again.Sìne cooed and kissed her.
"What is her name?"Bhaltair asked.
"Aidyn MacKay," she replied.
"Ye did not name her after her sire?"
"No, it did not feel right since he did not want to acknowledge her.I have raised Aidyn alone with a little help from my maid Paisley, who will return shortly from the village.But I...I must change her cloth then feed her milk.She is weaned but hungry nonetheless."
