Timira couldn’t believe it. She knew her mother was wanting her to marry her into money, but to set up her engagement without telling her? She couldn’t fathom how her mother even did it, her Father was the one in charge of that, if not Timira herself.

Connor wouldn’t leave her side, insisting that she sat down with his family for the meal. But she insisted that she would help the other women serve the food.

It wasn’t that he was bad looking, not at all. He was a good foot taller than her, and three years older. She felt like a child next to him. With his deep voice and strong jaw, he knew who he was and who he wanted to be. Timira had no clue.

So she busied herself men their food, pivoting around with a tray of cake. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Connor finish off another pint of ale, he started drinking right when the meal began.

Light passed by on her right coming out the back room where all the food was. “Your getting married, since when?” Her hazel eyes were bright with worry.

“Since mother decided to send me off.” Timira could hear the spite in her voice, but she didn’t care.

They passed each other and Timira set down the empty tin and snuck out the back door.

She was half way to the barn when someone caught her by the wrist. With a gasp, she turned to face the person. It was an old man, his face layered in wrinkles. “Hello, Dear.”

The raspy sound of his voice made Timira’s stomach churn, “H-hello.”

“My, my, won’t you make a lovely bride.” His grip loosened as he studied her. “Such a lovely girl…”

“I, I have to go.” She said quickly and began to slowly walk away.

“Yes, of course. Be careful, Timira. You never know what may lurk in the dark.” The man smiled at her, his eyes flashed for a moment.

Timira turned and ran, his gold eyes staring at her as she went.