Ella walked over to take a spot on a log that was vacated by a couple who faded off into the darkness holding hands. Her gaze drifted toward the barn and noticed Joshua striding out. He paused, caught her eye, and walked directly toward her. He jumped over the log to sit down.

“Enjoying the festival?” he asked and held out a flask.

She ignored his offer. “Not the nearly being killed by a wild horse, but yes, the rest has been pleasant.”

“Ye dance well.” He nodded toward the fire where many of the unclaimed ladies laughed and twirled about.

“Your sister is quite excited to be let outside Girnigoe.”

He crossed his legs at the ankles. “Aye.” His smile faded somewhat. “Bàs is following her right now. Perhaps I should take her up to her room before things get started.”

“Started?” she asked.

He nodded toward the couple on the other side of the fire. “With the wee ones off to bed, the lads and lasses enjoy the evening more and more. A bit of whisky, dark shadows, a lively tune in the background, and the fire in Fire Festival takes on a whole new meaning.” He raised his flask as if saluting the carnal tradition.

Ella glanced at several couples kissing in the shadows behind her. “I best be off to the castle, too, then,” she said. “I can find Hannah and take her with me.” Where was Cain? The clan knew they were betrothed, but would that be enough to keep him away from the ladies imbibing in spirits? From what Hannah had said, Cain had many women vying for his kisses.

“Ye may want to stay out here to keep an eye on Cain,” Joshua said as if reading her thoughts.

Her gaze snapped around to him. “Why?”

Joshua shrugged. “Pairing up at Midsummer is a blessing, too, for the couple.”

She pinched her lips tight. “I do not care about a blessing for us as a couple. I am still a prisoner here.”

“Dear almost-sister.” He sighed dramatically. “Whomever ye pair with at Midsummer will warm your heart and bed all winter long. ’Tis a saying, a legend, and pretty much a fact. And I do not take ye as a lass who is willing to share her husband with another.” He jerked his thumb over his left shoulder toward the barn.

Blinking to clear the brightness of the flames from her vision, Ella spied into the shadows where the large form of Cain stood…with a woman. Ella’s spine stiffened. “That bloody bastard,” she murmured before rational thought could remind her that she shouldn’t care.