That is, until Jamie exacted vengeance.
This [excerpt] is part of that.
He took a deep breath, and his fists flexed briefly, then relaxed.
Credit: Elenna Loughlin
Forgiveness doesna make things go away.
Ye ken that as well as I do.
He turned his head to look at me, in curiosity.
Jamie was silent for a long time.
I could hear my heart, beating in my ears…
Listen, he said at last.
He looked sideways at me, and the ghost of a smile touched his mouth.
He held out a broad, pitch-stained palm to me.
Give me your hands while ye do it, aye?
But I put my hands into his without hesitation, and felt his grip close on them.
What hurts you cleaves my heart, he said softly.
Ye ken that, aye?
I do, I said, just as softly.
And you know its true for me, too.
But I swallowed, and bit my lip.
Itit seems…
Claire, he interrupted, and looked at me straight.
Are ye relieved that hes dead?
Well…yes, I said unhappily.
I dont want to feel that way, though; it doesnt seem right.
I mean I struggled to find some clear way to put it.
On the one handwhat he did to me wasnt…mortal.
he interrupted, with a tinge of irony.
I would have shot him myself, on sight.
I blew out a long, deep breath.
But thats the other thing.
Theres what hethe mando you know his name, by the way?
Yes, and youre not going to, so dinna ask me, he said tersely.
I gave him a narrow look, and he gave it right back.
I flapped my hand, dismissing it for the moment.
The other thing, I repeated firmly, is that if Id shot Boble myselfyou wouldnt have had to.
I wouldnt feel that you were…damaged by it.
His face went blank for a moment, then his gaze sharpened again.
Ye think it damaged me to kill him?
I reached for his hand, and held it.
I bloody know it did, I said quietly.
His fingers curled tight over mine.
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