Page 85 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

Her piercing blue eyes were no contest for the fading skies. Even though the daylight was ebbing away, her eyes were still sparkly azure.

Niven sighed as he put a small distance between them. He kept forgetting that Deva had little knowledge of the political situation.

“Because e’en though Rory kens, so does half the clan… and the other clans surrounding us!” said Niven, as patiently as he could do. On the one hand, he was trying to distance himself from her, but on the other, he remained close enough to squeeze her hand when no-one was looking.

“And?” said Deva, missing his point.

“Well, they’re nae happy about it, lass,” he said slowly. His glance kept extending to the fishermen by the boats. He wondered if they were listening in and who they were.

Then he cut back to her. “Lots of the smaller clans were looking forward to the marriage because it would bring stability to the region… an’ my uncle, don’t forget, he still wants to be the laird of them all…” Niven’s words ran out on him.

Suddenly, the enormity of what they were doing hit him. He had ruined it all, everything. His uncle’s dreams were in tatters - because of him.

A hot tide of guilt surged through him. With urgent eyes, he stared at Deva.

“And now, that might not happen,” he said, with a lump in his throat. Niven steeled himself for what he had to say as Deva looked at him desperately. “And more than that…” Here, he squeezed Deva’s hand some more. “Some o’ them are nae happy about it. About us,” he added.

He was about to say about ye but at the last minute thought the better of it. Nervously, Niven glanced into her eyes. She looked hurt but nodded.

“Aye, especially my father,” said Deva, wonderingly, “I might nae ken the clan situation, but I ken him. If he gets hold of me, he’ll keep me under lock an’ key forever!”

The fear in her eyes told him that she did understand. Then, she looked anxiously at him.

“He willnae,” she began, then broke off, unsure, glancing at Allyth. “He willnae try anything, kidnap, using his forces… an’ his allies, to try an’ get at me… to get at ye? Will he?” she asked breathlessly.

Niven hesitated. He couldn’t say for sure this wouldn’t happen, but he didn’t want to alarm her. “Nae if I’ve got my way!” he assured her.

Deva tried to look calm but was failing badly. “Ye ken, he has some powerful allies, an’, och, I dinnae ken, but he knows more than just the Highlanders,” she said, with a glance to Allyth, “Some even say he kens an English lord, but och, that may just be tittle-tattle…”

Niven smoothed his face over and smiled. “Nae fash,” he said brightly. “An’ it won’t be forever,” he assured her, wishing that he was as confident as his voice sounded. He smiled brightly, but Deva’s face was not convinced.

“It better nae be,” she said wistfully. Now she too glanced over to see what was happening at the riverbank.

Whatever had produced the hold-up seemed to be sorted out, and the skipper was looking about as if he was waiting for them.

Sensing their time was drawing to a close, Niven kissed her gently on the lips, but not in a manner to elicit attention. But all the same, he felt himself falling into her sensual kiss.

Niven steeled himself to stay firm. He longed to leap into the boat with her. But he knew he could not. So, slowly, he guided her through the snow to the little boat.

Leaving the trees’ shelter, Deva shivered. Placing an extra cape around her shoulders, Niven patted her tenderly. Before he knew it, they were at the riverbank.

“Ye ready for the off, sir,” said the boatman. Niven did not know him. He scrutinized the man closely. He knew most of the men working on his uncle’s lands. Something inside him tightened as if he should be a little wary.

For a minute, he wondered if he should stop her. The sudden horror occurred to him that she might be in danger too.

“Niven, I,” Deva said, looking hesitant. She glanced at the boat. “Is this thing going to be alright?”

Niven straightened his face down. “Och, I’m sure it is,” he said, looking into the face of the boatman for reassurance.

The boatman, a slight, gray-haired man with a stoop, fixed her with his beam.

“Ye’ll be fine, miss,” he said cheerily, “We go up an’ down here, every day, all the time… trust me, she’s a lot hardier than ye think!”

He tapped the side of the boat and gestured to them to climb aboard. Deva looked at Niven beseechingly.

He couldn’t say anything but simply patted her hand as she got in. Deva glanced about the small boat. There wasn’t much space, just enough room for her and Allyth, who was already aboard.

Seeing her there gave him a surprise. He’d almost forgotten about her going. At least Deva wouldn’t be completely alone.