“Would you like to come inside and see?”
Inside the castle overrun by Scots? No.
“No one will hurt you,” he promised.
But she shook her head. Everything was going to change now. They were going to have a Scottish warden. She had no idea what that was going to be like or what it meant for her family. She refused to cry over it now, but she wished she had a weapon to swing at Torin.
“I made sure the guards were given the choice of whether to fight or to surrender. They chose to surrender, so they live—and there will be no war.”
She nodded as a wave of warmth flowed over her. No war. He’d done it for her. He might be a Highlander, but he was mercif—
“Gray,” Mr. Adams’ voice interrupted him. “I have been searching for you while trying to avoid your brothers.”
Braya dipped her brow at him. “Why were you trying to avoid his brothers?”
“You did not tell her.”
“Tell me what?” Braya asked either one of them.
“I was there when his family was…when they…” Mr. Adams could not finish.
Braya was sure her ears were deceiving her. Did Torin know? He would surely kill him. She eyed him nervously.
He knew.
His gaze went dark on the older guard and he drew his sword from behind his back.
“Which one were you?” Torin asked him quietly.
“I have lived my life ashamed of that day.”
“Is this the secret that nearly killed you?” Braya asked him.
He nodded.
“Which one, Adams?” Torin asked, his patience running out.
“I stood watch outside.”
Braya thought to speak up, but Mr. Adams hadn’t stood watch outside her cottage while his friends did unforgivable things to her family.
“I made a vow to kill everyone involved,” Torin said and took hold of his hilt in both hands.
Mr. Adams closed his eyes. “Do what you must, but I am sorry for my part. I have always been sorry.”
Torin looked at Braya. She smiled. It was time for the killing to stop and living to begin. “You have your brothers back,” she reminded him, hoping to ease some of his pain. She forgave him for not telling her the truth, but that didn’t mean she was going to let him get away with it.
“Adams.” He shoved the guard with his hand and Adams opened his eyes, surprised to still be alive. “We will talk more later, aye?”
Mr. Adams’ dark eyes looked a little glossy. Braya tried to hide her smile. She’d never seen him cry before. He blinked and nodded, then turned away and left.
When they were alone, Torin turned to her and found her smiling at him. “So, where will you be living?”
“I was thinking of asking the king for this place. I want to be the warden.”
Her heart leaped. Oh, what could be better than that?
“Of course, I would be fair,” he assured her.
