“I lied.”
“Aye,” he said. “Ye did. See, I thought ye were mature enough for me to trust yer word. Seems I was wrong.”
He watched her cut to the left through a stand of thick shrubs, and he followed behind her. The ground dipped to a narrow, wet path where water must have run earlier that day. She jumped across it, but he crossed it in a single stride.
“Stop,” he ordered, cradling his shoulder.
“Make me.”
“I will.”
A low root caught the hem of her skirt. He watched her wrench free and run harder. However, the brief struggle allowed him to draw a step closer.
“Ye ken, I must admit, ye swung that stick like a lad,” he called. “Yer aim was fair.”
“I was aiming for yer head,” she hissed.
“Oh. Then I take it back. Yer aim is abysmal.”
Before she could retort, her toe struck a hidden knot beneath the ground, and she lurched forward. He reached her on the tilt and went down with her, taking the fall so she did not cut her skin on the rocks.
For a moment, there was nothing but the aftershock in his shoulder and the air trying to return to their lungs.
“Get off me,” she breathed after a moment passed.
“Be still,” he grunted.
“I said, get off me!”
“Nae yet.”
He dug his knees into the dirt on either side of her hips and pinned her wrists above her head. Her hair stuck to her cheek, and her breath hit his sleeve in sharp bursts.
“Ye struck me from behind,” he said. “While the impact was strong, the aim was still poor.”
“I will keep that in mind for next time when I have a dagger,” she spat. “Now, get off me.”
“I will. But ye have to promise me something first.”
“What?”
“Nay more running.”
She glared up at him, eyes bright and fierce in the fading light. The scent of incoming rain thickened. Somewhere, a jay clicked and hushed.
“Promise me. Now,” he pressed.
“A part of ye enjoy this, nay?” she taunted. “Pinning down a woman.”
“I ken what ye’re trying to do,” he said quietly. “It willnae work on me.”
She closed her eyes, then opened them. “Fine. I am done runnin’ tonight.”
“Good.”
“If ye promise me one thing as well.”
Jack felt his knees sink deeper into the dirt. “I daenae ken if ye are aware of the dynamics here. Ye’re nae in a position to make demands.”
