Almost.
The stranger was young,maybe five-and-twenty, with the look of a farmer's son about him. Clean-shaven, reasonably well-dressed, decent enough looking.
"That color would suitye well, lass," the man said, his voice carrying just enough for Ewan to hear.
Maia turnedto him with that open, friendly smile she seemed to give everyone. "Do ye think so? I've never worn blue before."
"Never?"The man leaned closer. "A crime, that. With yer bonnie eyes?—"
She's mine.
The thought was primal,irrational, and completely inappropriate. She wasn't his. She was his prisoner, his leverage, a means to an end.
But watchinganother man smile at her, watching her smile back, made Ewan want to commit violence.
He was movingbefore he'd consciously decided to, crossing the distance between them in long, purposeful strides. His hand came down on Maia's shoulder, possessive and unmistakable.
"There ye are, lass,"he said, his voice pleasant enough but with an edge that made the other man take a step back. "I've been lookin' for ye."
Maia blinked up at him,surprise flickering across her face. "Oh. I was just talkin' to me new friend."
"Time to go."Ewan turned his attention to the young man, letting all his considerable height and presence bear down on him. "Get lost."
The man's eyes widened."I dinnae mean any harm."
"Now."
The stranger fled.
Maia rounded on Ewan,indignation replacing surprise. "That was rude! He was just being friendly!"
"He was eyein'ye," Ewan corrected flatly.
"He was nae."Maia's cheeks flushed. "He was just, we were talkin' about the ribbons, and he liked the color."
"He was flirtin',lass. Trust me." Ewan's hand was still on her shoulder, and he could feel the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her gown. Could feel her pulse beating quick and light beneath his palm.
"Well,even if he was, ye dinnae have to be so mean about it!" Maia pulled away from his touch, wrapping her arms aroundherself. "I wasnae goin' to ask him to help me escape or anythin'. I ken I'm yer prisoner. I ken the rules."
Ewan stared at her. "What?"
"That'swhy ye're angry, isnae it?" Maia's voice took on a defensive edge. "Ye thought I was tryin' to get away. But I wouldnae, I gave ye me word I'd behave, and I meant it."
She'd misunderstood entirely.Thought his jealousy was suspicion, his possessiveness a concern about escape attempts.
He should lether think that. Should maintain that distance, that clear line between captor and captive.
"Aye,"he heard himself say instead. "That's exactly what I thought."
The lietasted bitter on his tongue.
Maia's expression shifted,some of the defensiveness fading. "Well, ye daenae need to worry. I'm nae going to run. Especially nae now that I ken Mollie's alive and safe." She bit her lip. "Though I suppose safe is relative if she's with ye."
"She's with me man-at-arms,"Ewan corrected. "Leon. He'll make sure she's treated well."
"Oh."Maia looked down at her hands, at the blue ribbon she was still clutching. "That's, that's good, then."
An uncomfortable silencestretched between them. Around them, the village continued its daily business, merchants calling out their wares, children playing in the dusty street, the distant sound of a hammer ringing on an anvil.
