She looked up as he fetched his sword with scabbard from the peg. “MacCade?”
“Aye?”
“Why bestow such a sentiment regarding the daggers, that you wish me to feel safe in moments you cannot be by my side?”
His hand paused on setting the scabbard about his waist. “There will come a time I shall hunt Lord Kollungr and see him served to hell for all the evil he has spat upon you.”
Her stomach tightened. “MacCade, at the inn, your threat toward Torsten was in the moment, but you declared tomethe coin I carry would lead to Lord Kollungr’s undoing; ’twas my choosing his fate, not you.”
“This I did declare.” He met her gaze; an anger filled his eyes the likes of which she had never seen before. “I was in haste. The deeper my love grows for you, Keirah, the balance upon the scale laid with emotion, my wrath carries the weight in iron to see this deed done.”
In two steps she was before him. “I canneverlose you, my Scotsman. I have seen this once and it nearly took me.”
He looked upon her curiously. “The forest the eve with the owl? This is why you never spoke of it once more?”
Fresh tears wetted her lashes. “Aye,” she replied, “I saw you perish before my very eyes in a shadow-glance within that moment. I thought the fates had been cast and would not reverse!” Her fingers cupped his jaw. “MacCade, I am safest atyourside and you are the same atmine; do not let anything cast us asunder in all to come. We battle him together as we are strongest – together.”
“’Tis an impossible ask for me to force you to face him once more.”
“There isnaeforcing, ’tismychoice.” Her tone was absolute, even as tears streamed her cheeks. “Vow to me, MacCade – you swore your alliance to me; now I demand the deed done. I shall not lose you in the battle to come.”
He grasped her trembling hands in his. “My lady, I am your knight to command,” he assured, giving his oath, then he captured her salty lips from her tears born by emotion. The kiss was fierce and full of promise for all to come between them.
Their moment was broken when voices echoed near the unseen distance.
“Do not keep me waitin’ for your hide again,” Sir James groused to someone sounding near the stable’s entry.
“I had to finish callin’ upon a lass in the burgh,” Sir Sean defended in an arrogant voice. “It shall not occur again.”
“See that it does not,” Sir James hissed. “Why are you seekin’ the arms of a tavern wench after the task I laid for you, which you have not yet completed days later?”
They both seemed to be keeping their voices low in lieu of topic. “You know the reason,” Sir Sean defended. “Sir Brayden seems to have grown a tongue to engage the fair Lady Maise and stolen her attentions from me. It does not aid that MacCade marred my handsome features with bruises.”
“MacCade, did you not mean Sir Aonghus?” Sir James asked, a mocking lilt in his tone before giving a sound equal snort and chuckle.
How dare he!
Keirah’s foot began stepping forward. The arrogant rooster would never speak about the Scotsman who laid claim to her heart in such a manner!
Aonghus’s firm arm snared around her midriff, stalling her approach. He pulled her back against his front to halt any advance. It was a silent code to remain hidden and listen to the pair. She bit her lip, hard.
“Unto the topic at hand, Lady Keirah,” Sir James said gruffly; Aonghus’s muscles pressing against her tensed like a beast on the prowl. “When I crossed the bailey, I saw Sir Brayden, who was called for night watch, leave while Lady Maise went directly to the keep and retired for the eve. Youwillseek Lady Maise out upon dawn’s first light. She leaves after midday, returning to the queen consort’s side in Edinburgh. I demand you discover the topics or matters she and Lady Keirah discussed during court these past days. Lady Keirah may have the brute of a mercenary captured in her web and between her thighs…” Sir James paused at the sound of Aonghus’s foot scraping across the granite when he prepared to engage the sour guard.
MacCade was going to defend her honor. He couldn’t! She grabbed a woolen fistful belonging to his long mantle. His intense expression met hers; she shook her head, saying silently,No.
The muscles under her grip uncoiled slightly after he became still, but her breath caught as Sir James’s shadow approached down the aisle in their direction.Oh, hell, here comes Sir James!
A sweat bead licked down her spine when he had almost reached their hiding spot behind the wall, but then a gray gelding closest to them stomped his hoof, causing a similar sound to Aonghus’s footfall. Sir James’s tall shadow turned back as the captain re-engaged with Sir Sean. She sank her frame against Aonghus.
“’Tis only a gelding,” she heard Sir James declare then continue his rant back by the entrance. “Sir Sean, I will not have this traitor turn our lord king’s attentions solely onto her. I have seen her effect at King Håkonsson’s court. The only aid we have thus far in this quest is the knowledge she nae longer holds the ability to be a fate-seer given MacCade’s consummation. I may have failed to secure my footing as her chosen husband so I could shadow her without fault. However, my plan unfolded flawlessly the next mornin’ discovering him bare arsed and Keirah appearing flushed. Forthwith, I want her continued tobe watched by all those we trust here at court and our guards, understood?”
“Aye.”
“Good, now step lightly and do not make me wait for you once more,” Sir James finished.
The plotting pair shuffled away into the dark-cloaked bailey. She released her grip upon Aonghus’s mantle, and he went directly for his sword’s hilt.
“MacCade?” His name was a question on her lips, concerned.
