Page 42 of Forbidden Kilted Highlander

The rasping of Tav’s blade stopped. Agnes kept humming. Then, to her astonishment, another voice joined hers. Low. Rougher. Slightly off-key in parts, but unmistakably him.

“The hills will watch ye through the night, and keep ye safe 'til morning light…”

Her breath hitched. She didn’t move. She just let the lullaby continue, both their voices mingling in the stillness, a fragile little song held between them like a secret.

When the last note faded, Tav spoke again, quietly, “Me ma used tae sing that.”

Agnes turned her head slightly toward him, her cheek pressed against her blanket. “Me wet nurse sang it tae me, too.”

He nodded once, almost invisible in the dark. “She always said the hills were sacred. That they kent things we didnae.”

Agnes let out a slow breath, her chest warm in a way that had nothing to do with the fire. “Maybe they dae.”

She watched him for another long moment, his face caught in the flicker of flame. He looked tired. Not just from travel. But from years of duty. From all the things he carried and never set down.

“Goodnight, Tav,” she whispered.

His gaze didn’t leave her. But he smiled, “Sleep well, lass.”

Agnes curled closer into her blanket, the firelight dancing behind her closed eyes, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the ache in her chest quieted.

She didn’t know what waited at the end of this journey. But right then, she didn’t feel quite so alone.