But now he was a wreck.
What was she doing here?
Was it coincidence, or had his sister Feiyan invited her?
Did Aillenn know he’d be here?How could she?He’d told no one.
And how the devil had she recognized him when his own clan didn’t?
Part of him was still vexed with Aillenn.After all, she’d left without a word.And she still had possession of his satchel.His armor.His medallion.His heart.
But he couldn’t stop the waves of ridiculous cheer coursing through his brain.
He thought he’d never see her again.Yet here she was, looking more beautiful in a cap and trews than any woman he’d ever seen in his life.
He approached the shooting line.His breathing was ragged as he pulled an arrow from his quiver.Nocking it into the bow, he belatedly realized he’d forgotten to don his bracer to protect his forearm.
He let out a snort of annoyance.
It didn’t matter.He was going to shoot badly.He couldn’t concentrate on anything now.Not with the woman who’d broken his heart looking on.
He loosed the arrow.The string scraped his forearm.The shaft wobbled and landed in the outermost ring of the target.
He growled and turned away.
“Falco de Malisio!”called the herald.
Adam watched Aillenn approach the line.He rubbed at his jaw in disbelief.How anyone was fooled, he couldn’t fathom.Especially when she’d chosen a gaudy, eye-catching costume of bright blue and yellow.
But fooled they were.
From the corner of his eye, he saw his cousin Jenefer watching her.Surely Jenefer would recall young Jehan of Rouen, the archer she’d shot against before.Surely she’d recognize that Falco de Malisio was the same person, despite the darkened skin.
But she didn’t.For one thing, Falco didn’t shoot nearly as well as Jehan.Falco’s first arrow hit just outside the target.It seemed Adam wasn’t the only one suffering from agitation.
Eight others shot.Their skills were impressive.But Jenefer was the only one to hit dead center.
Adam planted himself on the line for his second attempt.He had to do better this time.He’d fastened on his bracer.He licked a finger, and tested the wind.
Then he made the mistake of glancing at Aillenn.
By the Saints, he wanted her, even in that garish outfit.He could imagine slitting the laces of her tunic and baring her lovely breasts.Sliding the trews down her silky thighs and burying his head between her…
He gave his head a shake to clear it and squinted down the course.
But when he raised his bow, all he could see was how much the target with its rosy bullseye looked like a breast.
His shot went wide.This time it landed in the straw outside the target.
Adam bit out a curse under his breath.A few disgruntled onlookers booed.
He was likely out of the competition now.That damned lass had utterly distracted him.
But two could play at that game.
She shot next.Standing close by, he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her.
Unless part of Falco’s character was that he was a terrible archer, Aillenn seemed just as rattled by Adam’s presence.Before she could even aim, her fingers slipped on the bowstring, and the arrow fluttered to the ground at her feet.
