Page 15 of The Dark Highlander’s Heart (Thorns Of The Highlands #2)

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B ryan and Katherine rode side by side until the sun was directly overhead – pacing their horses carefully, each privately telling themselves that the fear of exhausting the creatures was what prevented them from hurrying.

Their eyes often met in lingering sideways glances, during which it seemed that they were wordlessly sharing a vision of a future that would never be. One in which they had more time together at Castle Oliphant, without any of the cares and conflicts between their clans hanging over their heads.

“It would be nice, would it not?” she remarked at one point. “Tae be riding out here together among the fields and forests as a merry picnic, instead of…” Her next words caught in her throat, and she fell silent again.

“Perhaps we might pretend that we are,” Bryan answered somberly. “And we cannae stop only because we have nae discovered the perfect spot for it yet.”

“Bluebell will need to rest soon,” Katherine pointed out, “and I imagine Heather does as well. Do I recall that there is a stream near here, running through a primrose meadow?”

His eyebrows went up. “Ye dinnae mean tae tell me ye remember that detail from when I brought ye here?”

She blushed slightly, looking away. “I, ah, did my best tae commit all I saw tae memory. In case I did find occasion tae escape.”

“Ye are incredibly wily,” Bryan said with an appreciative whistle.

“Ye keep sounding so terribly surprised when ye make such observations.” She batted her eyelashes at him innocently, then spotted the primroses nearby and broke into a wide grin. “There! We’ve found our perfect picnic spot, and the horses can avail themselves of the water and grass. I assume ye’ve brought along provisions enough for us as well? A fellow such as ye does nae become a captain, I imagine, without planning for such necessities.”

“True enough,” he replied with a jolly twinkle in his eye.

As they dismounted and allowed the horses to explore the meadow, it struck Bryan how easily she had been able to persuade him to stop after he’d mentioned that they shouldn’t.

The power she had over him… Perhaps it was better that she had decided not to remain after all.

They found an agreeable spot near the stream and sat, and Bryan produced the food that he had taken from the castle’s larder that morning: A loaf of brown bread; a pot of butter, rosy with fragrant herbs; several pieces of cold chicken; a pair of shiny apples; and, to Katherine’s amusement, a bottle of wine and a pair of goblets.

“We cannae indulge overmuch,” he told her. “We must keep our wits about us, in case danger should present itself. Even so, I thought ye might appreciate the chance tae make a bit merry before returning tae the dour company of yer father.”

“That was exceedingly thoughtful of ye. Thank ye. ‘Tis an awful shame, though; that part about us needing tae keep our wits about us, I mean.”

Bryan could see the desire burning in her eyes like coals. The way she leaned toward him, the incline of her head, it seemed that every part of her except her mouth was pleading for him to kiss her.

It was not just her, either. The muggy song of the crickets filled the drowsy afternoon air, combining with the steady gush of the stream and the sound of Bryan’s pulse throbbing in his temples. It was as though they were in some enchanted glade together, far away from the concerns of McGregors and Oliphants.

A place where anything could happen, and no one need ever know.

Bryan blinked and shook his head, trying to clear it. He realized that he had begun to lean forward toward her as well, and he stiffened, distributing the food between them. “At any rate,” he said in a voice that sounded strangely breathless. “I hope these victuals shall prove adequate to yer appetite, my lady.”

“I’m sure that they will, and that the company shall be even more nourishing.” She straightened her back as well, but her eyes still glittered mischievously as they moved over his face and body.

She took a small bite from the apple, then asked, “Why did ye choose tae become a warrior?”

“I dinnae think of myself as a warrior,” he answered. “I am the Captain of the Guard. I protect my laird from any who would do him harm.”

“But there are times when those duties lead ye tae the field of battle,” she pointed out.

“Aye,” he affirmed, “but then I consider myself a soldier, not a warrior.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Sounds like a distinction only a madman would make, eh?”

“I suppose it does nae make much sense tae me, at that,” she agreed.

“‘Tis been my experience,” he began, “that those men who call themselves warriors tend tae go looking for wars. They define themselves by their willingness and ability tae do violence.”

“Are all who lift sword and shield ‘neath the Oliphant banner like ye in that regard?” she inquired, mystified. “Are there any warriors in all of yer clan?”

“Och, aye, there are a great many!” he laughed good-naturedly. “Indeed, I’d say most of the guards under my command would call themselves by that name, and certainly a great number of the soldiers who go tae war tae preserve and defend our lands. They are good men, and good at what they do. I consider them tae be my boon kinsmen, and I am grateful every day to have such a preponderance of them in our clan. But for myself, I dinnae need bloodshed and the threat of death tae feel alive. I long for peace above all else. My laird most of all, but for myself as well.”

“Then why did ye choose a path which might lead ye tae cross swords with others?” she asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“I told ye where I came from,” he reminded her. “I had stealth, and I was gifted with a blade, and with my hands as well. With the particular set of knowledge and skills I had tae offer, this seemed the only honorable choice for me tae leave my life of thievery for good and all.”

Katherine leaned closer again and looked at him with narrowed eyes, nibbling on a piece of chicken. After a few moments, she shook her head decisively. “No, I dinnae believe that is the full truth of it at all. ‘Tis a fine enough reason, but I see another behind yer eyes.”

He gave her a wry grin. “Ye are clever, and nay, I’m nae a bit surprised by it. Ye are correct.”

He fell silent for a few moments, making Katherine believe that he did not intend to elaborate. Finally, though, he spoke again.

“Some of the things my father forced me tae do tae others in the name of survival remain with me tae this day,” he said slowly. “This may sound daft, but there were times when I felt like I was a butcher, carving off slabs of my own soul to sell. I felt that it wouldnae be enough for me tae simply escape from that life. I knew that if I ever did, I owed it tae the world tae use what that monster had taught me tae balance it out. In the service of something larger than myself, something that truly mattered. And I have,” he added simply. “I’m fortunate tae have the chance tae continue tae do that, every day that I awake beneath the Oliphant banner.”

Katherine considered this for a few moments, then gave him a shrewd and impish sidelong look. “Even so, Captain, if ye had been able tae pursue a wholly different path, what might ye have chosen?”

The question caught him off guard, and he chuckled. “Hmm. Not a merchant, that much is certain. My father and I plagued more than our fair share of merchants as they transported their goods from place tae place, and I wouldnae shoulder the burden of protecting those caravans from bandits for all the world. Too many things can go wrong. One crafty band of fellows sets their mind tae stealing from ye, perhaps they even persuade one of yer own guardsmen tae assist them in robbing ye. Before ye can blink, ye’ve gone from a rich man tae a pauper.”

“Aye, so not a merchant, then,” she replied impatiently. “That leaves every other occupation in the bloody world tae choose from!”

“I suppose I might have learned how tae sew dresses and other pretty things,” he teased. “If only a noblewoman such as yerself had chosen tae spend her free hours instructing me. Ah, what fine garments I might have created out of mere scraps!”

“Here now,” she giggled. “I’m trying tae be serious! I really want tae know. Where else might yer heart have led ye, if ye hadn’t walked the path which led ye into the service of the Oliphants?”

Bryan sighed and furrowed his brow, giving the matter serious thought. At last, he said, “I’ve always admired smiths. Working a forge is good, honest work, and it keeps a man’s arms and back strong. What’s more, a smith provides the weapons and armor that guardsmen wield tae protect their lairds and homelands. A smith must know his business well, in order tae ensure that such noble purposes are bolstered by blades and shields that willnae break against those of the enemy.”

“Ah, but ye might just as easily end up arming those whose intentions are less honorable, is that not so?” she pointed out. “For a sword can change hands easily, and cares not who swings it. Yer marvelous works might turn out tae be used for terrible deeds.”

Bryan stroked his chin. “I had not thought of that, but I suppose ye are right. ‘Tis a difficult question for me tae answer, my lady. In truth, I never considered other paths, for I’ve always felt so fortunate tae have been allowed tae walk this one.” He paused, then added, “Especially now that the path has led me here, tae this lovely glen, with the most radiant woman I’ve ever known.”

He felt light-headed, and nothing before him seemed to remain in focus, save for Katherine. His words had clearly touched her deeply, and she drew closer to him, her lips parting. For a fleeting moment, he believed she was leaning forward to confide some secret.

“I’ve always liked blacksmiths. The very first lad I fancied was a blacksmith’s apprentice.”

Then her mouth met his, and a thousand wildflowers bloomed within his soul all at once.

Her breath mingled with his, as sweet and warm as a summer breeze over a field of daffodils. He felt her hands upon his chest, and briefly thought she regretted her decision and meant to push him away, perhaps even admonish him for not pulling back from her advances in the first place.

Instead, her fingernails raked the front of his tunic slowly and deliberately, relishing the solid and muscular contours of his body. He felt her body shiver with delight, and her kiss intensified. He cupped a hand behind her neck, pulling her even closer to him, embracing her tightly until they both ached from it. Still, it did not feel like enough, still they both wanted to keep squeezing each other until their two forms merged into one.

For that shimmering and all-too-short time, it felt as though all the rest of creation fell away, and the two of them were suspended in some joyful and infinite void where no worries could ever find them.

Then Alex’s disapproving visage appeared in Bryan’s mind, and his breath caught in his throat.

He was betraying his mission. He was allowing his feelings for this lass to overtake his duty to his laird and clan.

And after all they had done for him, he did not dare treat them so shamefully in return.

Bryan pulled away sharply then, and Katherine’s eyelids fluttered open. They were startled, and filled with dismay.

“I cannae do this,” Bryan told her gruffly.

“Ye want to,” she protested. “Just as I do.”

“Aye,” he confessed, “perhaps more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I find myself wishing that we might remain in this glade forever. And when we do leave it, it shall take every bit of discipline within me tae keep us moving steadily in the direction of yer homeland, rather than taking any excuse tae lengthen the journey and enjoy yer company all the longer.” He sighed. “But there is only one outcome before us now, and we both know it well. Ye shall return tae yer home, I shall return tae mine. Then the clans shall go tae war against each other, and like as not, we’ll never see each other again. I cannae bear tae let things between us go any further, knowing I will only lose ye.”

“That need not be the case,” she insisted. “When I tell my father of how kindly the Oliphants treated me; how ye chose tae release me, rather than keep me in captivity without any good purpose?—”

“Ye have told us how unreasonable and stubborn the man can be,” Bryan observed. “Tell me, Katherine, Do ye truly believe he will put any stock in yer account of things?”

She hung her head, discouraged. “Nay,” she admitted in a small voice. “‘Tis far more likely he will believe I freed myself by conspiring against ye in some way. Indeed, I would not be surprised if he makes a prisoner of me for it.” She shuddered miserably. “And even if he does believe my version of events, no doubt he’ll choose tae punish me anyway, merely because I returned without my sister.”

These words hurt Bryan’s heart bitterly, and he was seized by the urge to do as he had done days before; to grab Katherine, sweep her onto his horse, and ride hard for Castle Oliphant. To his mind, she had no business returning to the monster who would treat her so hideously, whether he was her father or not.

But she had made her choice. He could not rob her of it, no matter how greatly it pained him to help her see it through.

“There ye have it, then.” His voice sounded oddly strangled, and he tried to clear his throat. “The end of this is certain, and as such, we cannae afford tae indulge in silly fantasies that it might be otherwise. Come.” He began to return their provisions to the basket he’d brought them in. “We have paused in our travels long enough. We must continue onward, in order tae cover as much ground as possible before night falls.”

Katherine looked hurt, but followed his lead, helping him to clear away the picnic and retrieve the horses. Within minutes, they were riding side by side again, in silence, as each of them woefully contemplated a future without the other.

Suddenly, Bryan brought his horse to a stop, his eyes raised fretfully toward the sky.

Katherine likewise pulled on Bluebell’s reins. “What is it?”

He pointed upward, and when she followed his gaze, she saw what had caught his attention so suddenly; a column of thick black smoke, rising above the tree line from a few miles away.

“There’s a village in that direction,” Bryan said in a choked voice.

And without another word, he rode hard toward the smoke.

Katherine followed closely. She did not know for certain what sight would await them when they got to the source of the smoke, but based on all she knew of her father’s tactics and processes, she supposed she could probably guess.