Page 37 of Torin and His Oath (Torin and the Princess #2)
I said, “I daena ken if she survived, but I got her home. Twas all I could do.”
“Och nae, Torin, ye hae a great deal of affection for her.”
I nodded.
“Tis complicatin’.”
I nodded some more, looking down at my hands in my lap.
“Ye arna worthy of her.”
I continued nodding. “She is well above me, in every way. I ken it is true.”
“Yet, without permission, without respect of her station, she is second in line tae a throne, Torin, ye shared rooms and beds with her in the inns?”
“Tis not how it sounds…”
“I can see it, ye hae it on yer face, ye are thinkin’ on her verra favorably and nae one told ye twas alright.”
“I dinna want tae, I told her I couldna, but we had troubles, and though I knew twas wrong tae sleep beside her, I had tae keep her warm tae keep her alive.”
“What did ye do?”
“I did naething untoward, I swear tae ye on the blade of m’dirk. Dost ye need me tae draw it?”
He shook his head.
“I slept beside her. I cared for her when she was ill. I was respectful and honored her place as a royal daughter and the sister of m’laird… I dinna lay a scoundrel’s hand on her, but aye, I hae verra deep feelings towards the Princess.”
“In all our years of friendship I hae never known ye tae say such a thing.”
“It has never been true before.”
“Dost she hae deep feelings for ye, as well, Torin?”
“I daena ken, she has a prior commitment tae the man who lives with her. I wouldna press her.”
“This is all verra unforeseen, Torin. Sayin’ this as ye look beaten, wounded, weakened, and now add tae it, ye are pining like a lad besot with love. Och nae, Torin, I say it again, what happened tae ye?”
“I found yer sister.”
He chuckled. “Well, my friend, tis astonishin’.”
He drank from his ale, looking at me over the brim. “How did ye find her?”
“I fell ontae her lands. Every time I jumped away I came straight back again.”
He shook his head. “It seems that the messenger has given me instructions tae find the vessel that led tae my sister. Twas foretold.”
I said, “I wonder who the messenger was?”
Max shook his head. “I daena ken.”
Then he leaned forward, and teased, “And ye need tae explain how ye came tae sleep beside a lass all night while keepin yer hands tae yerself.”
I smiled. “Apparently I hae been cursed with reasonin’. Tis yer sister’s fault. She was verra frightened when she was captured. I had just told her that she was a princess when the men attacked.”
“Och nae?—”
“I had tae keep her warm, tae find food so she wouldna be hungry, and find shelter for the nights.” I grimaced. “Och, twas a chore tae keep her from complaining, all while I saved her from danger.”
“Tis her right as a princess.” He spun his mug, then asked, “What is she like?”
“She has a sparkling wit, she needs tae be taken care of, but also will keep good company on a ride. She will spar, tease me, but also she will take teasin’.”
“Tis unlike most women.”
“True. And she cooked a meal all on her own, twas delicious.”
Max said, “Ye liked protectin’ her? Ye are usually independent. I hae never known ye tae want tae take on the responsibility of a lass.”
I said, “I hae made oaths before: I promised tae keep ye safe.”
“And ye hae caused me a great deal of trouble through the years?—”
“I also saved yer life more than once.”
“Tis true, but ye dinna allow me tae finish. My point, Torin, is ye dinna usually want tae tie yerself tae the keepin’ of a lass, or the takin’ of a wife. This is all verra interesting.”
“The princess gave me a reason tae change m’mind.”
He nodded, considerin’ it. Then he asked, “I wonder if she is much like my mother?”
“I daena ken, but I think the princess will make a fine queen someday.”
Max nodded.
Then shook his head. “Ye are meant tae marry a Scottish maiden, Torin. Yer father is a baron, ye are one of the earl’s men. The maiden ye marry could be verra fine, but ye daena get a princess, ye ken it?”
I said, “Aye.”
He continued on, “And ye dinna hae permission. Ye are well over yer station.”
“I ken.”
“I am not sayin’ ye couldna ask for permission, but I canna tell ye twould be granted.” He watched me, then added, “Even with the prince, the future king, vouching for ye.”
I nodded. “I ken this, I am not askin’. She haena given me any reason tae ask. I kept her safe and brought her home, tis as I promised.”
His gaze was piercing on my face, then he said, “I’d like to meet her, though I suppose I could go tae the kingdom, win the throne, and then return for her…”
I said, “Aye, twould be for the best… I suppose. I do wonder if she is well.”
“Ye said she has fallen ill?”
“Aye, she was taken with the flux.”
“They would have a cure, I think.”
“I prayed for her health, twas all I could do. But she assured me that in her time they would be able tae cure her. As soon as the vessel began tae work again I got her home. I told her man, Cooper, tae guard over her and tae make her well. I left afore I could say goodbye.”
He frowned. “I am sorry, Torin, this has been tragic for ye.”
“Tis fine,” I drained my ale, “as long as she survives. This is all I pray for in the world.”
He chuckled, “Och! Ye are selfless! This is a wonder! But ye must ken, Torin, ye canna hae her anyway. Tis just as well. Even without this man, Cooper. Ye winna hae the princess as yer own.”
My brow drew down. “I ken, I said I ken, I hae assured ye, I ken — but why nae?”
“Because, ye haena asked the permission of her parents, the King and Queen of Riaghalbane. Nor hae ye asked for my blessing in their stead, and tis just as well, ye ken. A princess is meant tae be married for the treaty of it; what dost ye bring tae the table?”
I scowled, “Naething.”
“I would add, not ‘naething.’ Ye bring charm and a humorous sense tae a tavern hall. Sometimes, when yer mood is not brought low by believin’ yerself in love with a princess, ye can be fine company. But ye haena ever believed yerself tae be a prince.”
“Aye, I hae watched ye be a prince. It seems tae require a foolish and asinine countenance. I am surely not cut out for it.”
He laughed. “Aye, ye are too sensible tae believe ye are fit tae be the chosen of the princess.”
“Ye think that of me? Wait until ye meet her man, Cooper.”
He smiled, “He is not a prince-like man fit tae couple with a princess?”
I scowled again, “Nae, he inna good enough for her.”
“But still ye left her there, thinkin’ only of her health and protection?”
I nodded.
“Torin, ye are a dismal messenger. I thought seein’ ye would lift m’spirits. Our whole life has been ye helpin’ me tae secure my birthright, and here ye are, ruinin’ yer own life tae further mine.”
“I swore I would help ye find the princess, and now I hae sworn tae protect her. If it means I am not tae be near her because my presence causes her tae be in danger, then I will go away.”
“Och, I never thought I would see the day.”
He looked me over, the effects of the journey were hittin’ me, the wounds and weariness caused me tae list tae the side. The copious amounts of ale were causin’ my head tae droop. I thought I might collapse right there on the table and sleep. It wouldna be the first time.
Max said, “I want tae be reunited with Alexandria. I would leave within the hour, but ye need tae rest afore ye can travel.”
“Ye want me tae accompany ye? I thought… I am unsure I want tae see her, I canna see what good twill do.”
“Nonsense, Torin. Ye would sit here in this tavern while I am realizin’ the fruits of all yer hard toil?
Look at ye, ye hae been beaten mercilessly!
Ye are goin’ tae sit here imbibing ale, sleepin’ in a chair, while I ride intae the New World tae meet the princess?
Ye found her! I am a prince, how can I be expected tae meet a man named Cooper on my own?
What would I tell him, that Torin is sitting in a tavern in the sixteenth century?
That ye are too consumed with a disquieted soul tae come?
Nae, I canna allow it, Torin. Ye hae looked after my birthright for years, I winna allow ye tae cede the field tae a Cooper man: he canna hae the princess, he haena asked my permission. ”
“Ye winna let me stay away?”
“Nae, ye will accompany me. I ken usually when I say tis my last word on it, ye want tae brawl. But I see ye canna brawl in yer condition so I will say it: Tis my last word on it.”
I exhaled, looking down on the table, beginning to sway. “I will need a few days.”
“Aye, I canna travel with ye in this condition. Ye are filthy, weak, and hae the stench of a boar. Yet another reason why ye arna fit tae keep the company of a princess.”
“I ken, my mind kens there are many reasons, yet my heart canna think of one.”
He said, simply, “Ye need tae rest, Torin.”
This was the last thing I heard afore my head sank down tae the table and I fell asleep.