Isla
Holy crap on a stick. What the hell just happened?
My uncle made a run for the exit, but Alasdair stopped him. “You need to open the games, Your Majesty.”
“Someone needs to go after him,” Kade countered.
“I’ll go,” Alasdair said. “You need to meet your brothers on the stage.”
Kade turned to me. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “All I did was touch him.”
“Did you feel anything?”
I shook my head.
My uncle leaned closer to me and stared straight into my soul. “He glowed, lass. After you touched him. Are you sure you didn’t see or feel something?”
I shook my head again. “He just freaked out on me. I don’t know why.”
He narrowed his eyes and studied me briefly before nodding and walking out of the tent. Alasdair was already gone. I bit back tears, taking a deep breath, and trying to shove down my guilt.
Not only had I just lied to my uncle… I’d lied to my king.
“Isla!” I heard the frantic voice of my father outside of the tent.
“In here, Da.”
My father slapped the tent flaps open and dipped inside. “You all right, love?”
I nodded, then promptly burst into tears.
“Och, lass,” he cooed, pulling me against him and wrapping me in his protective hug. “What happened?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I said. “It all happened so fast.”
“Sir, you’re needed on the stage,” Frank said, peeking into the tent.
“They can wait.”
“I’m okay, Da,” I said, giving my father a squeeze. “I’ll come with you.”
He cupped my cheeks and raised my chin. “Are you sure?”
I forced a smile and nodded. “Aye.”
He nodded, kissing my nose, then he took my hand and we made our way to the competition ground, then onto the stage.
Catriona ran over to us looking frantic. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll fill you in later,” I promised as I followed my father onto the stage.
* * *
Arric
“Mr. Mann, please stop!” Alasdair called out from behind as I hauled ass toward the midway. Most of the spectators had already made their way to the grandstands, so the grounds were nearly empty except for event staff and a few stragglers. This was good, as it meant fewer potential witnesses if I had to kick this guy’s ass. Not that he’d be able to catch me. I had a head start and was fast for my size. I’d be at the north lawn and in my rental car before this asshole bodyguard could—
