Or perhaps he’d never touch her again after the first time, taking other women to satisfy his urges.
He certainly would never kiss her senseless, his body rocking against hers. She was achingly wet, and if Killian asked it of her, she might have surrendered to the needs overflowing inside her.
Instead, he shoved her back, cursing beneath his breath.
“Wh-what is it?” she stammered. She hadn’t wanted him to stop, but he was behaving as if he despised her. It took a moment for her brain to realize that he wasn’t going to continue touching her.
“Don’t ask this of me, Taryn.” He was behaving as if this was her idea. She had kissed him back, aye, but that was because she’d wanted to.
She realized suddenly that he’d kissed her in an attempt to frighten her, so she would force him out. Her response wasn’t at all what he’d expected.
Likely, he hadn’t wanted her to kiss him back. A pang of hurt formed inside her, but she sat up and faced him. “I offered you a place to sleep, so you wouldn’t be out in the cold,” she pointed out. “I never invited you to share anything more. And if it bothers you to be so close to me, perhaps you should go back to the soldiers and stay with them. It matters not to me.”
Killian stood without speaking a word. Then he left, as if nothing at all had happened.
Taryn closed off the entrance, tying it shut. Her heart was still beating rapidly, and her feelings were bruised from this. She should have known that this was a mistake.
He’s not your friend, her common sense reminded her.This is about his own personal gains. Not you.
She huddled in the furs, even knowing that sleep would not comfort her this night.
Chapter Nine
They rode out the next morning, through the forest and past the brooks and waterfalls. After traveling most of the day, they reached the region of Glendalough. The ancient round tower stood high, clustered by stone outbuildings used by the monks. Then they continued riding further north, until they reached an older road at the top of the hillside. From here, the green hills embraced the land, while a silver lake gleamed against the morning sun. It was a serene landscape, and few of the men spoke.
Killian’s mind took no peace from their surroundings. He’d distanced himself from Taryn, not understanding what had happened last night. She had granted him a place within her tent, and he’d behaved cruelly in return.
The truth was, she saw past the walls of stone and ice surrounding his heart. She had offered a friendly warmth that he wasn’t used to. Women wanted him for only one thing—to warm their beds. And though he’d taken his pleasure from it, it had never been anything but emptiness.
Last night, when he’d kissed her, her response had taken him apart. Her eager willingness to meet his kiss and the sweet taste of her tongue had made him want to lay her down and sink deep inside her body. He was angry with himself for trying to push her away, only to find out that she was a woman of passion.
He sensed that no man had ever given her such attention. She was isolated from common men and didn’t understand the consequences of her actions. Another man could take advantage of her innocence, and Killian might not be able to stop him.
Rage tightened inside at the thought of anyone touching her. Taryn deserved a man who could protect her, honoring her. And though he knew he was unworthy of wedding a woman of her stature, he craved the scent of her hair, the softness of her curves.
He urged his horse faster, the frustration beating stronger within him. In the distance, he saw the road curving through the hills, down into a valley. A flash of silver caught his eye, along with motion.
He rode faster, trying to grasp what it was he was seeing. And the moment it became clear, he turned the horse around and went to speak with Taryn. She hardly met his gaze, her eyes locked upon the green hills. There was an icy chill in her demeanor, as if she didn’t want to speak with him at all.
“We have a problem,” he told her. “Your mother’s men are waiting for us in the valley. They are camped along the side of the road.”
She grimaced but nodded. “I was expecting that. She knows I am traveling to Tara, and there is only one road leading in that direction.”
“We don’t have to stay on the roads,” he pointed out. “If you’re wanting to avoid them.”
“No,” she said quietly. “I suppose I must face her and make it clear that I will not abandon my father.”
He agreed with that. Queen Maeve would not stop hunting for Taryn, and they needed to come to an agreement now, before they reached Tara. “Do you want to ride ahead of the others and meet with her?”
She thought a moment and agreed. “I suppose there’s no need to bring the rest of them into our disagreement. They can maintain their pace, and we’ll ride ahead.”
“Can you manage on the horse?”
There was a glimpse of fear on her face, but she shrugged. “I don’t like the idea of going faster, but I suppose I have no choice.”
“Lean in and let your mare follow my horse,” Killian said. “And don’t try to pull her too hard.” He didn’t miss the fear she was trying to hide. But she had managed to stay on the horse thus far.
He led them toward the front of their traveling party and told the MacEgan men to keep their distance . There was no need to provoke a fight between them and Maeve's soldiers. To Taryn, he said, “Stay close, and don’t fall behind.”
