Page 33 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

Logan considered her question. It was something that had been playing on his mind since he arrived at the Knox Keep, for the end of his journey was in sight. He hadn’t quite come to a conclusion, however.

“I dinnae ken if the war will ever be over.”

“Dinnae say that. It hae been gaeing on for too long already.”

“There will always be enemies tae fight. Even if Warnock is defeated a lot of his men will become bandits. It will be a long time before the land is rid of them. I’m nae sure I will ever put down my sword.”

“There’s more tae life than fighting, cannae ye see that?”

“Perhaps for ye, but I am a warrior. It’s all I am. It’s all I hae ever been. I cannae be anything else.”

Beitris dipped her head. Her curls framed her face, and half of it became illuminated by silver light. It took all his willpower to stop himself from taking her in his arms and kissing her under the stars. For a moment he saw the possibilities of the world and what his life might have been like had he not been so consumed with vengeance.

In the back of his mind he heard Abigail whispering, urging him to listen to his feelings.

But his feelings were wrong and weak. His resilience was already faltering and he had to tense everything in his body to keep his feet in one place.

“Then I suppose that is yer choice. But ye dae hae a future if ye continue tae prove yerself. There will be great rewards for those who cover themselves in glory. Ye might even end up with some land. Ye could be more than ye think, Logan.”

“If I make it beyond the last battle. There is nae guarantee of that, nae for any of us.”

“Unless ye are kept behind,” she said bitterly.

“For what it’s worth I think ye should be allowed tae fight, but I hae my orders,” Logan offered.

“Aye, but for now I’d ask that ye watch me from a distance. I wish tae be alone with my thoughts,” Beitris said and turned her back to him.

Logan remained standing there for a few moments before descending the ladder. He leaned against the tall support beam and closed his eyes, thinking about how close he had grown to Beitris and how he could not all himself to get any closer.

13

“I

heard a strange rumor,” Calista began. She and Beitris were brushing their hair, preparing for the day.

“What rumor would that be?” Beitris asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“That ye kissed a certain warrior on the training field.” There was amusement in Calista’s voice. Beitris’s cheeks flushed red and she pulled the brush with force through a stubborn knot, wincing at the pain.

“Aye, well, people should mind their own business.”

“I dinnae think ye can blame them for talking about it when it’s in full view,” Calista said, and Beitris knew she was right.

“It was a mistake. It dinnae mean anything.”

“Was it thanks tae him for saving ye in battle?”

“Aye, perhaps it was. That’s all he’s concerned with anyway, battle.”

“It’s all anyone seems to be concerned with at the moment. Even Elliot can only speak of war. Dae ye think it will be over soon?”

“Ye could attend the meeting and find out for yerself.”

Calista smiled and shook her head. “I find those meetings tiresome. I dinnae ken how ye can stand them. Anyway, about this warrior…”

“There is naething more tae say. It was a mistake. He hae his duty, and I hae mine.”

Calista sighed. “Duty, duty, duty. There is more tae life than that, Beitris. I fear this war hae clouded yer sight. Hae ye thought about what ye are gaeing tae dae when the fighting is over?”