Free Love Beyond Compare (Book 5 of Morna’s Legacy Series) by Bethany Claire Page A

time left.”
    She looked shocked by his words and Adwen momentarily regretted his honesty, only relaxing once Isobel spoke.  
    “Thank ye.”  
    “For what, lass? My words werena kind, and they were hardly worth any thanks.”
    “For no behaving as if I am unaware of how sick I am. I know well enough that what ye say is true. I grow tired of all those around me pretending that they doona know it as well.”
    Adwen nodded, turning to gather up a handful of fresh eggs, already gathered so they’d be ready for breakfast. His mother had been the exact opposite of Isobel during her own sickness. While all those around her could see plainly just how ill she truly was, she denied it to the end—not ever accepting that she’d reached the end of her life. Even as she lay on her deathbed, she swore she would get better. Every denial, every bit of hope that his mother clung to had broken his heart completely.  
    “Ye are strong, Isobel. Stronger than most who fight such an illness—I can see that by looking at ye. I doona see any need to lie to ye nor no speak of it, no when I can hear how sick ye are every time ye cough.”  
    Isobel stood, moving slowly to stand behind him, peering over his shoulder as he worked at whisking the eggs together.  
    “Aye, ’tis true enough. I couldna hide my sickness even if I tried. What are ye doing to the eggs, Adwen? Do ye no boil them?”
    Adwen laughed and pointed gently back to the seat from which Isobel had come. “Just go sit back down and doona worry about the eggs. ’Tis something I learned during my travels. I know that most in these parts boil their eggs but, trust me, ye will find this to yer liking.”
    “Aye, fine. Ye have intrigued me. If ye like, there is some dried herring in the back that ye may do what ye will with, but ye may wish to make eggs for four; Gregor has already eaten, but Jane shall be along shortly and, if what ye say is true, then yer man shall awaken soon as well.”
    Adwen couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Jane’s name. In truth, he’d hoped she would come along before he and Orick left—even if it would only result in her further aggravation. He very much enjoyed the way she looked when angry.  
    Isobel laughed, and he realized then that she’d not missed his ill-timed grin.  
    “She’s a beauty, without question. One evening alone with the lass and both of ye smile like wee fools at the sound of her name.”
    Adwen made a gruff sound, his own irritation building at the memory of Jane’s arms wrapped around Orick’s thick neck. Clearly the lass had done it for only one purpose, but he knew that Orick had gained more than enough enjoyment from the exchange. The thought displeased him greatly.  
    “Ach, Orick would smile if a one-legged fairy kissed him as Jane did. I doona think he overly fancies the lass.” Adwen moved the egg mixture, now seasoned with dried herbs, to the shallow pot hanging above the fire. He reached for a wooden spoon, stirring the mixture as it cooked while looking back to Isobel as she spoke.  
    “Ah, so ’tis no Orick that fancies Jane, ’tis ye.”
    Orick’s voice joined in on their conversation, and Adwen turned away to hide his expression—his friend’s tone remained laced with amusement.  
    “I wouldna allow a fairy to kiss me, one leg or no. No good has ever come to any man who kissed a fairy. But I do fancy the lass, no in the way ye mean I imagine, but I would fall in love at first sight with any lass who had the wits about her to reject Adwen so ardently.”
    Adwen ground his teeth firmly together, determined to remain gentlemanly in the presence of Isobel. Instead, he said nothing, allowing Orick and Isobel to continue the conversation without him while he turned his attention back to cooking.  
    “So do ye mean ye dinna enjoy the kiss the two of ye shared? If ye say ye dinna, I willna believe ye.”
    Orick laughed and, as Adwen dished each of them a serving of eggs along with a side