Page 9 of Fearless Heart

Lillia stopped by a large bonfire that lit the center of the courtyard and felt the heat from the high flames on her face. The sky was light enough to see everyone within the square, but dusk would soon send its shadows. She would eventually find her way inside and deal with the consequences of fleeing the keep.

And her impending betrothal.

Around her strangers jested and their celebration jubilantly rose. She didn’t recognize most of the people and didn’t see any of her family. As she walked past the gatehouse, she waved to the sentry, but kept retreating away from the keep. A chill came upon her and she pulled the tartan around her shoulders.

Lillia wasn’t one to imagine things, but for some strange reason, she felt someone watching her. Her hair stood on end and her breath quickened. She kept gawking behind her, certain she was being followed. With her father’s comments about the Guardian and her birthright, an odd sense overcame her. Two men dressed in dark garments followed. Their stride intently kept up with her pace. Her steps hastened, and she peered ahead searching for someone to rescue her.

A man perused her from a nearby cottage. Lillia glanced at him and her heart practically leapt from her chest. She realized who he was, and a sob constricted her throat. God was looking out for her. His face set hard with a frown, but she had no time to tell him the cause of her abruptness. She ran at him, pulled his arm, and yanked him around the corner of the cottage.

“Lillia, it is you. What are you about?”

She threw her body against his and embraced him and used his large figure to hide hers. Excitement and fear prickled her skin. “Heath, kiss me.”