It was dangerous work, and it required Cormac to live outside the law, his reputation forever tarnished whilst he worked in the shadows.
But he did it willingly.For the king.
"Well," Boyd replied gruffly, "if ye're tracking someone, ye'd best get on with it.We'll not keep ye."
"Och, dinnae rush off just yet," Cormac replied, waving a hand dismissively."My men could use a rest, and I haven't seen ye in months.Besides," his grin turned sly, "I'm curious about this marriage of yers.Lady Bella Sutherland, wasn't it?Have ye finally succumbed to temptation, Monk?"
Boyd's jaw tightened."There's nothing to discuss!"
"Really?"Cormac gestured to his men to make camp, and they immediately set about building a fire and unpacking provisions."Because from where I'm standing, it looks like ye're riding about the countryside instead of being home with yer new bride.Makes a man wonder if perhaps the marriage bed is not as welcoming as ye'd hoped."
"The marriage bed is fine!"Boyd bit out.
"Is it?"Cormac settled himself on a fallen log and pulled out a flask, taking a swig before offering it to Boyd."Then why are ye here and not there?"
"Clan matters."
"Clan matters that has ye riding around in circles like a lovesick fool?"
Boyd snatched the flask from Cormac and took a long drink, welcoming the burn of strong whiskey."Shut it."
"So how is yer plan to keep her living in squalor going?"Cormac asked.
Thamas, who'd been tending to the horses, couldn't quite hide his smirk as he approached the fire."The laird moved Lady Bella to the abandoned east wing when they first arrived.Kept her as far from him as possible."
Boyd shot him a glare that should have turned him to stone."Careful, Thamas—"
But Thamas continued, clearly enjoying himself."Then three days later, he moved her next to his chamber and had half the Keep busy turning it into a bedroom fit for a queen."
Cormac scoffed."Three days?"He burst out laughing so loud it echoed through the trees."Ye lasted three days!"
"What's so damned funny?"Boyd growled.
Cormac was practically wheezing now."All yer bluster about keeping her out of yer sight, making her suffer, and ye only managed three days!"
"The east wing was unsuitable," Boyd said through clenched teeth."The chimney was blocked.She had no fire—"
"So ye moved her right next to ye."Cormac winked."Right beside yer own chamber.Where ye can hear her moving about.Where only a wall separates ye from her bed and her naked body at night."
"Dinnae think about my wife's naked body, ye bastard!"Boyd growled.
"God's teeth, man, ye're smitten with her already!"
"I am not!"
"Then why move her so close if ye wanted her far away?"
"It was more practical."
"Practical."Cormac's grin was positively wicked now."Is that what we're calling it now?"
Boyd stood abruptly, his hands clenched into fists."Shadow, ye daft prick, either ye shut yer mouth right now or I'm going to belt it shut with my fist."
But Cormac just chuckled."Remember when I told ye about revenge needing two graves?I think this is the part where ye're digging yers."
Boyd remembered.Heaven help him, he remembered every word of that conversation.
"Looks like I was right," Cormac continued, his voice softer now, more serious beneath the humor."The more ye try to hurt her, ye hurt yerself.Maybe even worse."
