‘I’m sorry I was so touchy yesterday,’ he continued. ‘You have an uncanny knack for winding me up.’

I shrugged. ‘Hey, I guess I have a gift after all.’

He still didn’t look away. ‘Whatever impression Tipsania might have given you, we’re not romantically involved. We’re just friends.’

I raised my eyebrows and thought of the necklace. ‘Perhaps you should tell her that.’

‘She knows.’

I wasn’t so sure about that.

‘I’m single, Integrity.’ His eyes glittered. ‘For now.’

There was a tight knot in the pit of my stomach. I cleared my throat and pointed at Barbie. ‘Aren’t you going to tell me what I’m doing wrong? It would be nice to be able to stand up when I get to the Foinse.’

For a moment he didn’t answer. I was about to repeat my words when he finally said, ‘Sure.’

Other than the mechanics of riding, he didn’t say anything else for a very long time.

Chapter Twenty One

It was around eleven when the path we were following began to narrow. Although I was more comfortable astride Barbie after Byron’s help, I could still feel tension across my neck and shoulders. Every time I turned round, either the Kincaids or the Darrochs were spitting silent venomous looks in my direction. Once the Foinse was fixed, I definitely wasn’t going to stick around to find out whether they would make a move on me. It might be paranoia but they certainly appeared to hate me enough to want to get rid of me for good after I’d served my purpose.

Forced into single file, we meandered down the valley. With our goal getting ever closer, everyone dropped into a meditative silence. Even Lily ceased her humming. I supposed it made sense; this was a pilgrimage that no one had completed for years because of the difficulty in getting together at least four different people from four different Clans to make it. For once, I wasn’t at a disadvantage; I didn’t think anyone knew what to expect.

The path gradually changed from worn dusty grass to sharp stones. The horses were forced to slow down and pick their way down carefully. It seemed to suit Barbie; for once she wasn’t at a disadvantage. As the sides of the valley grew narrower, however, I wondered if her wide girth would make it. I could feel claustrophobia setting in when the slopes at either side became so steep that the blue sky was nothing more than a strip above our heads.

We eventually emerged into a small circular clearing, deep within the hills. The cliffs were just as craggy and foreboding and the atmosphere remained oppressive. All the same, a wash of relief overtook me. It wouldn’t be long now.