“In their defense,” I said, “they think they’re protecting a nice American girl from normal danger. They have no idea they’re defending a princess from time-traveling villains.”
“They ought tae be better at it, whatever walls they’re defendin’. Dost they even do drills? Practice sparrin’?” He gave me a ghost of a smile. “Hae ye ever seen them toss a caber?”
“What’s a caber?”
“A log.”
I laughed. “Then no. I’ve never seen them toss a caber. Mostly I see them stand around, then take breaks to eat. It must be really boring.”
He shrugged. “Guardin’ inna borin’. Ye just hae tae clear yer mind. Tis a duty. Ye do it tae keep yer loved ones safe.”
“Yeah, well, mine do it for money,” I said. “That’swhy they break for lunch.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Makes more sense now. They are nae loyal tae yer banner, just a blade for hire.”
I glanced at him. “Thanks for making me laugh and keeping it light though, I was starting to spiral. That was freaky, even though I don’t know what it is that’s so bad. What would you do if we were in Scotland right now?”
He gave me a sad smile. “If we werna in a stronghold with a proper guard, likely I would be arguin’ ye ontae Lambo and Ferrari so we could get somewhere safer.”
“Well, I don’t think we need to leave. It was just a cloud over the sun.”
He said, “Likely.”
I passed him his drink. “This is the thing about us, you are always having to talk me into getting on the horse to go.”
“Ye are verra set in yer ways and nae quick tae move.”
I smiled, “True that, come to find out I’m a princess, maybe this is just the way I am. Or maybe, I’m hoping you’ll throw me over your shoulder and carry me off. That was really hot last night.” I filled my glass with Diet Coke.
We drank and I petted dude who was walking around on the table.
Torin said, “I need tae go walk around the house, twas unsettlin’.”
“Can I come with?”
“I daena think so, I need tae go check. Ye will be alright, ye will be able tae see me from the window.”
I said, “Yeah, of course, you’re not going on a nice walk but on guard duty.”
“Aye.”
“Don’t go too far.”
He said, “I winna.”
He kissed me, took me by the hand and led me toward the front room, pulling back the curtain. “For yer viewin’.”
He petted Dude and said, “Keep watch,” and left.
I sat on the couch and peered around the curtain as Torin walked across the porch and out to the lawn.
I ranmy hands over my face.
The room was calm, the light from the window golden and soft and for a moment, the silence was absolute.
Then, beneath it, came a whisper: faint, feminine, close enough to stir the hairs at the back of my neck.It’s going to be alright, Alexandria…you will be alright.
I felt like someone nudged me.
