Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

D aemon sat at the table by the fire for a long time after Lyla left. A part of him wanted to be angry at her words, and to dismiss them as the temperamental ranting of a young woman who was embarrassed by her own behavior and his response to it.

In his heart though, he knew she was right, and he couldn’t bring himself to deny it. In point of fact, Rowan had often said similar things on rainy days, when he was in a sour mood. She’d never suggested anything like hide and seek, but she had suggested whimsical games, or teasing wagers a time or two.

Daemon pushed himself from the chair and stretched, then stared at the half-finished chess game. He ruefully smile as he studied the pieces and remembered how easily Cai had abandoned the game, though he was often competitive. Apparently, his advisor found winning their game secondary in terms of interest, when compared to running around the keep looking in alcoves for hidden comrades.

He was a fool, and he should have understood that when even Cai was willing to play the game, childish as it seemed to him. Worse, he’d been rude, harsh, and overly judgmental in the way he’d spoken to Lyla. He owed her an apology.

Of course, he’d have to find her first. Daemon found himself smiling at the irony. To properly apologize, he’d have to join the game after all.

He sighed, then straightened his sash and left the office, trying to remember what they’d said, and what clues might help him locate Lyla, preferably somewhere he could apologize in private. He recalled they’d planned to start the game in the Great Hall, but they hadn’t mentioned the rest of the rules, beyond the observation that they could determine them just before they started, which left him contemplating the rules of hide-and-seek, or what he recalled of playing it when he was a boy, years ago. He knew that there was a safe space for the hidden folk to make their way to during each round, or to run to if they were found and pursued. Usually, it was the place where the game started.

The Great Hall would be the most likely choice of safe place, and therefore a place he could wait and be sure that Lyla would come eventually. However, there was no guarantee that she would be the first to arrive. Also, she wouldn’t be headed for the safe space if she was the one seeking.

Another rule – the seeker had to wait a set amount of time before looking for the other players. When he was a child, it had always been to a count of fifty or a hundred. This was to give the runners time to disperse and hide anywhere they might wish to go.

How far could one go in a hundred count? It really depended on how fast you moved, and whether you ascended the stairs, and how often the player paused while looking for a hiding spot. On one hand, hiding nearby gave you more time to thoroughly conceal yourself. It also gave you a better chance of seeing and being able to reach the safe space if you were found.

On the other hand, a more distant hiding space gave you less time, but gave you more hope that others would be found before you. And, if he recalled the rules correctly, the winner was the last one found. So, there were benefits to hiding in a more distant location.

His strategy would have been to find a close, deep-set alcove, one he could crouch within. Ideally, hidden by a tapestry or curtain, so he could settle into stillness. A ledge would also help, as it would mean his boots would not be visible on the floor. And he would choose a place where he couldn’t cast a shadow to give him away. Perhaps one of the short servant’s passageways, where he might also have a secondary exit.

But that was his strategy. Lyla was likely to play very differently. Assuming she was not the one doing the seeking. Daemon considered the matter, then turned to make his way toward the more distant wings of the keep.

Lyla wasn’t one to choose caution and stillness nearby – she was more likely to be one of those who hid at a distance and hoped to be the last one found. She was the type who, if caught, was likely to trust the quickness of her feet to see her to safety. At least, that was the impression Daemon had always had of her - energetic and preferring motion and laughter to quiet and stillness.

He would have to find Lyla, while at the same time avoiding the other players. An interesting challenge. Daemon felt his mood lighten, just a little, at the idea.

Perhaps he could enjoy this just a little after all.

Lyla opened a door and frowned. Too open, and too clearly disused. Cai was the seeker, and he would likely know if she tried to hide here, assuming he didn’t find Alyn and Ryan first. She shut that door as quietly as possible, and continued down the hall, taking care to keep her steps quiet as she did so. So far, she’d been the last found in most of the rounds they’d played, and she would not allow Cai – the current searcher – to end her streak of good luck and good hiding spots.

The next two rooms didn’t suit her either, but the fourth door she tried was a small storage cupboard. It wasn’t the type of space most folk would think large enough for a comfortable hiding spot, but she was slender enough to make it work.

She slipped inside and pulled the door closed behind her. She didn’t let the latch click, but she pulled it as far as she could without that. She knew better than to risk getting shut or locked into any sort of space. Once she was sure the door would stay where it was, she melted back into the shadows and settled into a comfortable position.

She’d been there scarcely ten seconds before the door opened, and a masculine voice said “Lyla…”

It wasn’t Cai, so instead of bursting forth and running for the Great Hall, Lyla did the only other thing she could think of. She grabbed the man’s shirt and yanked him forward into the storage space with her. The man stumbled in, startled, and crashed against her as the door closed completely.

Lyla swallowed hard, her heart hammering as her mind registered several things she hadn’t had time to think of in the space of that single moment of reaction.

First, the masculine voice was familiar. In fact, she’d managed to accost none other than Daemon himself, though she’d no idea why he was there, or why he’d spoken to her.

Second, the storage closet, while adequate as a hiding spot for someone of her build, was far too small for both of them. She was practically squashed against Daemon’s chest, and there was no way to put any distance between them.

Third, the door had closed. Fully closed, which meant there was a chance it had also latched. That meant there was a chance she was trapped in here, with Daemon. Trapped in a small, dark space with a man who thought her no more than a child.

She shifted enough to lift her head, uncomfortably aware of his body pressed against hers, and the beat of his heart under her hands. “What are ye doing here? Ye’re going tae get me found, and I dinnae want tae lose tae Cai, o’ all people. He’ll be insufferable.” One of the few times she’d had to run for safety, and the only time she’d been tagged by the seeker, Cai had been the one who caught her.

“Apologies. I saw ye enter and wanted tae speak tae ye.” His voice was low, and he did sound sincere. “I wanted tae apologize fer the way I spoke tae ye earlier.”

She frowned at him, ignoring the fact he couldn’t see it. As close as they were, he might well feel the change in the muscles of her face. “Ye called me a naive bairn.”

“And I was wrong tae dae so. There’s naething wrong with enjoying a lighthearted game or two, among friends. I shouldnae have acted as if there was…” There was a pause, as if he was trying to find words. “’Tis nae childish tae find joy in life, if that’s yer way o’ coping with loss. ‘Tis nae me way, but that doesnae make it wrong or foolish.”

He paused again. “I’m sorry I was so harsh with ye. It was unkind o’ me tae speak so. It was ill-done, aye, and wrong o’ me tae act that way. I hope ye’ll forgive me, fer acting as if yer way of dealing with life is wrong because ‘tis different from me own.”

“I accept yer apology. I ken ye’re a proud man, and that must nae have been easy fer ye tae say.”

“It wasnae. But it needed tae be said.”

“Aye. And so dae other things, so I’ll say them now, in return fer yer apology. A truth fer a truth.” Perhaps it was the honesty in his voice, or perhaps it was the darkness around them, but she found herself speaking thoughts she normally wouldn’t have aired aloud. At least, not in his presence, let alone to him. “Ye dinnae have a way o’ coping , Daemon. Ye have a way o’ punishing yerself . ‘Tis nae the same, and where one can get ye through life, the other will only drown ye.”

She could practically hear the scowl in his voice when he responded. “What dae ye mean by that?”

She was trying to sort out how to answer when the door opened, and both of them went tumbling out. Evidently, Daemon had been leaning on the door panel the whole time, if the way he toppled over was any indication. And of course, pressed as close as she’d been, Lyla lost her balance and fell as well – right on top of him.

She blushed scarlet, and quickly looked away from his bemused face as she scrambled to untangle herself from Daemon. Not that looking into Cai’s smug expression was much better, but at least she didn’t have to keep looking at Daemon, and thinking about what she’d just said to him, or how it must have looked for both of them to fall out of the closet like that.

Cai raised an eyebrow. “I heard loud voices and followed them here, tae find ye. But if I’m interrupting something….”

“Hush yer mouth. ‘Twas an accident.” Daemon rolled to his feet with a smooth grace she envied in him, then held out a hand to help her up.

Lyla took it, then glared at him once she was on her feet. “Ye got me caught.”

Daemon gave her an unrepentant look, one eyebrow raised in question. “It appears so. And what o’ it?”

“’Tis nae fair tae interfere, if ye’re nae going tae play the game. So are ye playing, or dae I get tae claim unfair disadvantage?” Lyla folded her arms and matched his look, complete with the raised eyebrow.

Daemon heaved a sigh, but she could see his eyes were sparkling, warmed for the first time in a long time with a glint of humor. “I suppose I could stand tae join in fer a few rounds, tae make up fer interrupting yer game and exposing yer hiding spot.”

Lyla exchanged a quick, gleeful look with Cai. “In that case…”

Cai leaned forward and tapped his laird on the shoulder. “Ye’re the new seeker, me laird, unless ye can catch us!”

Lyla was already running, laughter bubbling in her throat at Cai’s audacity. She heard Daemon’s indignant shout, and the sounds of boots on stone, and hurried to run faster.

Let Daemon try his best – he wasn’t going to catch her!

Daemon couldn’t help laughing to himself as he made the final turn to the Great Hall, Lyla and Cai both several steps ahead of him. Perhaps it was foolishness to be running through the halls like a miscreant serving boy late to his chores, but it was also oddly invigorating as well.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d run anywhere, especially not for such a lighthearted reason. Lyla was surely going to give him no end of trouble, especially in the game, but he found he didn’t truly mind at all.

He was still laughing, although quietly in his own mind, when Alyn and Ryan arrived, either returning after a set time, or having guessed that something was happening. Alyn blinked at him. “Daemon? What brings ye here?”

Lyla smirked. “He’s the new seeker fer this round.”

“Are ye now?” Alyn looked at him in surprise. “I thought ye were o’ the mind that playing games like this was fer children, and beneath yer dignity. What changed yer mind?”

Daemon considered his words, then spoke the simple truth. “I had tae speak tae Lyla about something, and she persuaded me tae change me mind and join in.” He saw Cai’s knowing grin and attempted to give the other man a warning look. From the mirth in Cai’s eyes, it didn’t work.

Fortunately, the other two didn’t seem to notice. Ryan was shaking his head, and Alyn laughed. “I cannae say I’m surprised. Lyla could charm a bird out o’ the air some days, I’m thinking.”

Daemon smiled. “I wouldnae be surprised. But I cannae say that’s a bad thing.”

“Ye’re right about that.” Alyn nodded. “The world would be a better place if there were more carefree and cheerful folk like Lyla in it, and less greedy or temperamental folk like Ranald and his ilk.”

Daemon couldn’t find it in his heart to disagree, for all that he knew Lyla wasn’t as lighthearted as she seemed. She was still a breath of fresh air and sunshine amid gloomy weather, breaking up his dark mood with her antics. Even if all she brought him was exasperation, it was better than the leaden sense of loss that had enveloped him only days before.

Ryan huffed impatiently. “If Daemon’s the seeker, then ‘tis best the rest o’ us get tae finding our hiding places, rather than stand here chatting with the opponent.” He grinned and took Alyn’s hand. “Will ye run and hide with me?”

Daemon huffed indulgently and closed his eyes but not before he heard and saw his cousin disappear around a corner with Ryan, giggling like a child much younger.

Footsteps on stone. Cai was easy to identify, moving away toward the stairs with quick, precise steps. Lyla was much quieter – he couldn’t be sure he heard in which direction she moved, her footsteps were so soft. She was much lighter than Cai, but the silence that accompanied her steps would have impressed his best hunters. It certainly impressed Daemon.

He counted the seconds in his head, making sure to keep the time with his breaths, to avoid speeding up as impatience got the better of him. An unexpected sensation of anticipation filled him, a desire to hunt and to find. He was surprised at how much he was looking forward to the challenge, and it was more of an effort than he’d expected to keep his count and his breathing steady. He persisted, however, and it was only when he reached the required one hundred-count that he opened his eyes.

The hall was conspicuously empty of people, even servants. Daemon smiled and turned in the direction he was fairly certain Alyn and Ryan had run.

Perhaps it was all light-hearted, childish fun, but he was enjoying himself more than he had in years and loathe to stop and return to his duties, few as they were in this weather.

Let the hunt begin. I wonder, Lyla, if I can find ye twice?