Page 13 of The Highland Heir

Kieran couldn’t tell the war chief he wastired. Not when the reason he hadn’t slept well was because he wasthinking of the man’s daughter in a disrespectful and unsettlingway.

“Forgive me,” he said with a nod. “Justtired.”

“Did ye and Ella get into some trouble?”

“What? Nay,” Kieran was quick to answer.Though he worried he’d reacted as if attempting to cover a lie. Whydid he feel so uneasy looking Teague in the eye?

Perhaps because I spent the greater part ofthe night thinking of his daughter in disreputable ways.

“Nay,” he repeated, trying to shake off theshame.

“She hasn’t been sleeping well either. She’stroubled with bad dreams. I’ve seen her like this when she’s guiltyover something.”

“I can’t say as to what she would feel guiltyabout,” Kieran protected for his friend. It was true he didn’t knowanything, but even if he did, he wouldn’t have told her father.

The gash across his palm promised loyalty toeach other above all others, and any secrets they shared wouldnever be spoken.

Teague pointed his finger at Kieran, and hisbrows came together in a fierce frown.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the choice ofyour words, that ye can’t say rather than you dinna ken. Iwould hope as a man grown ye would have gotten past thissecrecy.”

Kieran laughed and shook his head.

“’Tis true, I wouldn’t tell you if I didknow. But I truly don’t know.”

Teague made a grumpy noise and nodded to theother men.

“Get back to work, and for the love ofChrist, keep watch on your side when ye raise your sword. I’ll notbe carrying you back to the castle after a battle. Your fatherwould have my head on a pike.”

Kieran sniffed and shook his head.

“Because he would care so much for the lossof a son he despises.”

“He doesn’t despise ye, Kier. He may not havemuch of a heart left after what he’s gone through, but what piecesthere are would break if he were to lose you too.”

Kieran nodded, though he didn’t believe anyof what Teague said. Kieran had seen no evidence of even a sliverof the man’s heart left.

He managed to get through the rest of drillswithout incident, and after the midday meal he gave Ellie a nod tolet her know he was heading to the beach.

She caught up to him before he was throughthe castle gates. For having shorter legs, she was quick as afairy.

He should have known there would be a reasonfor her to be in such a hurry today.

She waited only until they were barely intothe woods before she stopped and grasped his arm to hold him aswell.

“I must ask you something,” she said.

“Aye.” It wasn’t like her to warn him first.She usually just blew him over with whatever thought was on hermind.

“Have you lain with a woman before?” sheasked.

He realized no amount of warning would haveprepared him for this.

Chapter Six

After Kieran managed to stop choking, he casta glare in Ellie’s direction.

“What kind of question is that to ask me? Yeshouldn’t be speaking of such things. You’re a maiden.” He knewwell their friendship gave them certain freedoms when it came toproper topics, but this?