“Faster? I think this is fast enough,” she insisted. Her voice held traces of panic, though she was valiantly trying to remain relaxed.
They had made it this far, and he wanted them to make up for all the lost time from earlier. “It won’t be for long,” he promised. But he suspected if he could get her to fully trust in him and in the horse, she might enjoy the feeling of riding fast.
He let go of her waist to tighten his grip upon the reins. “Don’t let go of me,” she pleaded.
Killian adjusted his seat until he could hold her with one arm, still keeping control over the horse. “Is that better?”
“Yes.”
They rode through the forest, down the winding path, until they reached the clearing. Once they were there, he asked, “Are you ready?”
“Not at all.”
But he urged the horse into a canter and then into a gallop. Francis was strong from years of pulling the plow, but he wouldn’t have the endurance to go far, carrying the weight of both of them.
“Are your eyes open, Lady Taryn?” he asked.
“N-no,” she said.
He leaned into her body, whispering against her ear. “Look around you. I’ll wager you’ve never gone this fast in your life.”
Killian could tell she didn’t want to, but she obeyed. He studied the profile of her face as they rode. The fear never left her eyes, but he saw a hint of wonder in them. He kept the pace swift as they crossed the flat lands in a sea of green grass. Sheep grazed in the open meadow, and in the distance, he spied the silvery river.
He kept up the gallop until they drew close to the water’s edge. Then he slowed the horse down to a walk. At last, he dismounted and helped Taryn down. Her hair was windblown, and her eyes were bright.
She walked toward the water and bent down her hands to scoop up a drink from the river. Francis approached her, and Killian handed over the reins.
“Let him drink,” he told her. She accepted the reins and guided the horse to the water. Francis drank thirstily, and Taryn rubbed his neck as he did.
“It wasn’t as frightening as I thought it would be,” she admitted. “Thank you.” Upon her face, he saw a soft smile. It had been so long since a woman had smiled at him, it caught him without warning.
“You did well,a chara.” He stood on the other side of the horse, and used a bit of dried grass to rub down the gelding. Taryn looked away from him, and there was a sudden shyness about her.
Careful, he warned himself.She’s not for you.
He was only traveling with this woman for her own protection and because Carice had pleaded with him. It meant nothing at all.
After the horse had drunk its fill, Killian took back the reins and let the animal graze for a while. He offered the lady a bit of bread and cheese, and she broke off her share, leaving him the rest.
Once again, she was treating him like an equal, and it raised his wariness once more. He told himself that it was out of thankfulness that he’d remained with her. And yet, he couldn’t imagine that she shared her food with her personal guard in this way.
He decided to keep his distance, and he sat down on a stone near the river. There was a film of ice forming near the shoreline and the air was frigid.
Instead of finishing her food alone, Taryn brought it along and came to sit near him. Once again, he grew wary. “Was there something you were wanting, Lady Taryn?”
The edge of herbratslipped downward, and she grasped the wool wrap, pulling it over her shoulders. She continued eating and answered, “No, I do not need anything just now.”
Then why had she come to sit by him? Killian started to stand, but she beckoned him to remain seated. “Stay and talk with me awhile.” She tucked a long strand of black hair behind one ear and broke off a piece of bread while she stared at the river. It seemed that she had grown accustomed to his presence and was comfortable with her scars.
But he was wary of her. He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from this woman, and her blue eyes held him captive. She had proven that she could overcome her fears, and he was falling prey to her siren call. When she had leaned against him, burying her face in his heart, he had felt the strong urge to guard this woman. Even now, her presence warmed his frozen heart.
Taryn Connelly was dangerous in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
“What will you do if Carice does not arrive at Laochre?” she asked him.
“She will. I trust the MacEgans to bring her there.” Any one of their warriors was stealthy enough to bring Carice to safety.
Taryn’s expression held worry, and she bit her lower lip. He clenched his fist, for he was wondering what it would be like to taste those lips, to draw her body close to his. God, she had smelled so good. And her body had fit against his in a way that provoked him.
