All of the women settled in their beds, the last of the lanterns put out by Dedra before she laid down. “Good night, milady.”
“Good night,” Miran said, anxious for the moment she’d be able to leave the tent unnoticed.
*
“Doona place yourselfin unnecessary danger,” Kai instructed Colin. “Do what you said, wait behind the last cottage. If Tiva doesn’t arrive within several hours, return to camp. Here.” He offered Colin a woman’s wool cloak. “From Lady Miran.”
Colin accepted it. “Thank ye. I feel responsible for the lass. There’s something about her, the way she carries herself, even though I know her spirit has been broken.”
“A pretty face helps,” Kai said.
Colin looked away. “Even if she was a toothless hag, I’d want to do this.”
Kai rested his hand on Colin’s shoulder. “I do not doubt your high qualities as a man. But an attractive woman will make you take risks you normally wouldn’t take.”
“I’d be a liar if I denied it, sir. But I could never hope she’d want me, not after what she’s been through.”
Kai thought of the months he’d spent trying to get close to Miran, to prove himself to her. Aye, he’d been impatient and confrontational at times, unwilling to let her get away with insulting him publicly, but he now regretted some of his choices, like dropping her into the loch… If he could change some of their past together, he would.
“Give her time.”
Colin nodded. “The men have been assigned their guard duties. If there is nothing more to discuss, I’d like to prepare.”
“Go with God.”
Once Colin left his tent, Kai stretched out on his bedroll. Though the journey had been shorter than he expected, he was returning to Sands Airgid with two dozen men and several capable maids. In spring, he’d plan a second trip for recruitment purposes. Until then, there was plenty to do—like planning a wedding and training the soldiers.
He crossed his ankles and folded his hands under his head. If he could, he’d set plans with Jamie to come back to this forsaken village and avenge the loss of the men, women, and children Igor had murdered and enslaved. He would encourage Jamie to send a missive to Earl Sutherland to inform him of the dire circumstances so close to his border. It could not be allowed to continue.
Kai yawned, not knowing how long he’d been lying there before his eyes started to droop. Rarely did he feel so exhausted. But he supposed after weeks of riding and trying to win Miran, he was due a night of rest. He patted the hilt of his sword, still sheathed at his hip. Often times he slept in his clothes, including his weapon belt, a bad habit he’d picked up as a younger man, fighting wars for his father.
One never knew when a nighttime attack would occur, and instead of being caught with no braes on, he’d chosen to be ready at all times.
The heat from the braziers, one at his feet, and one near his head, only quickened his sleep. He gazed at the opening of his tent, seeing two of everything. A definite sign he needed to let his body and mind recover. The last thing he thought about before he closed his eyes, was Miran. Her desire to help Tiva had only deepened his love and admiration for her.
“Good night, sweet one,” he whispered, then was lost to sleep.
