Page 2 of Torin and His Oath (Torin and the Princess #2)

LEXI

RIDING THROUGH THE NIGHT

H e rubbed the tallest horse’s forehead. “These are fine horses, and they hae saddlebags, so we may hae gained valuables as well.”

“I don’t know how to ride.”

His brow raised. “Ye canna ride a horse?”

“No, it’s… not something I learned to do. I mean, I rode one once at a birthday party, but…”

“Tis nae matter, we will share a horse, twill be safer, in case we are followed.” As he spoke he drew me toward the beast. “Put yer hand here, dost ye see?”

“Not really, can’t see, but can tell what you mean.” I put my hand there, and then he lifted my foot up. “Put yer weight on m’hand.” He hoisted. “Swing yer leg.” Then, as I settled down in the saddle, he said, “Aye, ye did good.”

I set my jaw and raised my chin again. I was still so mad, it was infuriating to be mad at him, yet totally dependent.

“Where’s Dude?”

“He’s behind us in the woods, he inna sure if this field is safe yet.”

I followed his eyes, but couldn’t see the cat in the dark edge of the woods. “I don’t think he can walk fast enough to keep up with a horse. Should we give him a ride?”

“Aye, I agree.” Torin opened one of the saddlebags and adjusted the contents. “I think this will work if he puts up with it.”

“But you are not allowed to leave me to go get him, so you’ll have to let me down off this beast?—”

Torin crouched down and picked up Dude. “He came when he knew we were talkin’ on him.”

“Oh good.”

The horse turned and sniffed the cat.

Torin said, “Dude, ye are goin’ tae ride in this bag. I ken tis not the best conveyance. Ye are goin’ tae be verra near m’arse and the horse’s rear. But ye are just a cat, ye canna complain.”

He placed the cat into the bag. Dude turned around and stuck his head out like he was about to jump out. I said, “No, Dude, you can’t jump out, stay.”

He ducked down into the dark bag.

Torin went to the other side of the horse, put his hands on the reins, and climbed up onto the saddle behind me.

There was a breathtaking moment where he was pressed very close behind me, his warm breath behind my ear, with a hand on my hip he directed my ass and shifted his hips to get comfortably settled. Oh my.

I was flustered and confused. I was furiously hot and sexually warm, both at once, what was up with that?

He held the reins for both horses in one hand, his arms around me like an embrace, and set our horse into motion. We began a slow walking pace.

“How far will we go?”

“We need tae put some distance between us. I hae left quite a few dead men on the ground of the croft.”

“What’s a croft? A farm?”

He nodded.

The night sky was high. I leaned back to look up at the stars, accidentally putting my head against his shoulder, and quickly pulled away.

That was too intimate. If I was going to look up at the stars I would have to do it without touching him, because I was furious.

Being this close, practically in his lap, infuriated me even further.

He asked, “Did ye see the stars, Princess?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful.”

“Tis a testament tae the glory of God,” he said, tilting his head back. “The heavens shining down upon us. If ye wish tae lean, ye can sleep. I winna mind.”

“No, it’s fine.” My voice was clipped. “Besides you have blood on you, and I can smell it.”

“Aye, a battle has been fought, I am in a poor state tae be accompanyin’ a princess. I will take a bath as soon as I find a stream.”

“I’m sorry I complained. Thank you for getting us out.”

“Ye are welcome.”

We rode in silence and I took furtive glances at the sky.

But God, the night was beautiful. The sky looked like a million diamonds flung wide across a black canvas.

Mountains loomed in dark shapes on the horizon, woods pressed close on either side, and the wide fields rolled out silver in the starlight.

The air was sharp and fresh, too cold for my bare skin.

I was so glad I wore my thick socks and rainboots, but deeply regretted putting on this flower-print sundress.

I had wanted to look cute for Torin and now my legs were bare on a horse’s back in the middle ages, a chill sinking straight to my bones.

He noticed me glance down and, without a word, lifted the edge of his kilt and draped it over my leg.

I tucked it around my thighs.

He said, “I dinna think tae look for blankets in our packs, but we can stop soon and search.”

I nodded. “Is Dude still in the bag?”

“Aye. Curled fast asleep.”

The horse shifted under us, slow and steady in the darkness, hooves muffled on the damp earth. They had belonged to someone else, and now they carried us through the night as if nothing had changed. I wondered what they thought of this turn of events.

“So these horses are yours now?”

“I liberated them for ye, from yer enemies. The horses are the spoils of war, and as yer champion, I gift them tae ye. So they are yer horses now.”

“Great, I have horses that I don’t know how to drive. Can I name them whatever I want? Is that how horses work?”

He chuckled, “Aye, horses are verra intelligent, but they canna tell ye what their names are. Ye get tae give them new ones.”

“I have to think about it, sounds important to name horses.”

Then I asked, “What is that smell? I want to say mud and bracken, but not sure that’s what it is. It reminds me of the shallow riverbeds near home, but also a little like flowers.”

“Tis the moor, the heather has a lovely smell.”

I nodded, then asked, “ Then what?”

He was quiet. “What dost ye mean?”

“What is our plan? You told me the plan was to get away, now we’re away, but you also promised me that we would get me home, and this does not seem like home — this is very far away from home.”

“Aye, we are verra far away…”

“So…?”

“I am considering our predicament. We might hae a vessel in these packs — I took the best of the horses. This horse was carryin’ m’sword, tis likely it has our vessel as well, daena ye think?”

“Yeah, that seems right.” I counted the saddlebags on both the horses. “There are six packs, that bodes well.”

“As soon as we get a little farther, I will find a place tae rest, and then we will dig through all the gear.”

“The vessel might be here — that would be amazing.”

“Aye.” He added, “Twould be verra good, unless it inna there.”

“Then what?”

“Then we will go back and search for it. But twill require some caution afore I go back. First I need tae get cleaned up, because I am covered in the blood of yer enemies, as I promised.”

I nodded, and we rode in silence, with his warm arms around me.