She hobbled out, joining him in the night air filled with smoke from the numerous fires which aided in illuminating the vista, now rain free, with a show of dominance at the enemy. “How are you so certain in your consideration?” She pulled the cloak heavier about herself when another salted gust hit her like a slap.Slap away – still staying here to wait for him!
“I have heard you declare him a Highland bull when you thought ears were not present.” Her cheeks warmed. “Your rendering rings true; he has been stubborn since we were wee lads. Yet I have never born witness to a time he was more so than at this moment. When he gazes upon you there is almost a sheer will to remain by your side.”
She stepped closer. “I am the same toward him, Callum.”
“Aye.” He grinned, sadly. Was he thinking about missing the lady who had betrayed him? “So is Alec with his Deidre.” Callum’s eyes lowered.Hewasthinking about his lost love – how sad.
Her brows furrowed. “Do you believe Alec and Deidre are safe? If the Northmen were already sailing so briskly for Loch Lomond, this must mean the raids are drawing toward a close near Clan MacCade.”
“I would care to believe so. If not…” Callum clenched his jaw before finishing, “I shall hunt the killers and see them pay, same as any who dare to harm you or Aonghus. I regret all I have done in my bitter state. Iwilldo any and all in my grasp to make this right. To protect those nearest.” Was there a glisten to his gaze when he raised his eyes? Aye.
“I am so sorry for your loss, Callum,” she murmured, resting her hand upon his mail-clad forearm.
He looked down at her hand. “I could not hold on to her.” Why did it seem as if there was more to his words? “Let me say once more, Aonghus will never walk in the path I have taken.” His gaze locked on hers. “This is how Iknowhe shall return. Once he sets his mind onto a task, not even the saints may halt his will to see it so. ’Tis the reason he would have made a grander chief than I. He will return to your arms as sure as the sun shall rise in but a short while.” Did she believe him? Aye, his confidence was infectious. A smile found her lips.
Snap!
What was that?!
Her hand dashed away as Callum went for his sword. Who was lurking in the woods where the trees seemed more like dark demons to the underworld with the fire’s shadows dancing over them than forest?
Callum’s sword released from the scabbard with a grind from leather on steel. “My lady,” Callum murmured, “step back into the tent.”
Another crack from a branch caused her heart to almost leap through her ribs. She hopped toward the tent fold…
“You may lower the steel, brother,” a deep brogue called out.
“Aonghus!” she cried in excitement even as she gasped inwardly at her leg when she tried running for him.
He charged forth in steps broad as a bull before clasping her closely. Sir Brayden and those flanking them had returned with their arms filled with bottles. Her knight’s lips lowered; shealmost bruised his after the hours spent in anxiousness which flashed toward relief.
Her fingers weaved into his hair.Damp from sweat – no, more than this.Why was he completely soaked through? When another stiff wind hit her cheek, she broke the kiss, looking up at his flushed features. “Was a fresh tempest present at the shoreline?”
“Nae,” Sir Brayden broke in as the Scottish knights walked past mumbling about the looted bounty while heading toward their tents in preparation for a rest. “The raid was most successful! However, the outcome came with a different ‘cost in measure’. A wee cluster of Northmen who were charged with guarding the vessel upon the high deck grew suspicious when one of our fellow knights accidentally dropped a cask down below. My friend here” – Sir Brayden raised the bottle in his palm toward Aonghus – “had a determined mind to make certain all were not discovered in our task of looting the ship. So, he rather” – Keirah’s hairs on her neck stood – “drew their attention his direction by way of jumping in the surf for a midnight swim so we might escape unseen.” Her mouth became agape.
“In chainmail’s full weight?” Callum questioned, even as her fingers sought the edges of his tunic peeking out from the mail at his wrists.He is soaked!
“Aye,” Sir Brayden quipped, “seems he needed a wee bit more salt unto his palate.”
He would catch his death! “Come!” She tugged his arm. “Into the tent at once!”
“Good eve, Sir Brayden,” her knight said dryly.
“Good eve, Sir Aonghus, till the morrow; rest well.”
Callum clapped Aonghus on the shoulder. “Rest, brother; you are a bull, but even bulls need to recover before the next charge.”Aye, into the holding pen at once!
Aonghus looked at Keirah. “Thank you for keepin’ my lady safe in my stead.”
“Always – she is Clan MacCade,” Callum replied, then nodded at her.
Sir Brayden raised the bottle again before taking a long swig, then handed Callum another bottle. “Come, Callum, let us join Stewart, who is to tell the king the victorious turn! Including the tale of your wee brother’s heroics in almost being impaled by the arrows during a daring escape…”
Keirah bolted for the tent, dragging her knight with her. Nope. If she heard another frightful word about her knight risking himself she would be gray by morning. One step she stumbled slightly. Hell! Was it the fear gripping her again at how Aonghus had chanced himself on the raid or the injury which had caused the misstep? Both. Aonghus’s arm was about her waist steadying her immediately.
He must have sensed her worry. “Sir Brayden tells a robust tale, nothing more, my lady,” he assured her.
“I believe not,” she challenged, raised eyebrow in place
