Page 45 of Torin and His Oath (Torin and the Princess #2)

LEXI

T orin said, “I am sorry ye had tae see that, Princess.”

“I don’t really understand what happened there…”

“Tis an argument between Max and me — twas not meant for yer ears. But I need tae speak with ye.”

I said, “You can just talk to me, Torin, we’ve been through a lot together, and I’m my own boss. I don’t answer to Max, you don’t need his permission to talk to me.”

“Tis an ancient rule of honor, Princess. I had tae ask, I had tae be certain.”

Dude walked in, trilling his little beastly head off, and wound around my ankles.

Torin reached down to pet him with a smile. “Dude, I am glad tae see ye.” The cat rubbed against his calves then moved to his bowl to eat.

Torin’s eyes found mine, he returned to looking forlorn. “I wanted tae tell ye, I hae missed ye, Princess.” His words were humble, spoken almost like a whisper. “I counted the days until I could see ye again.”

I said, “I missed you too, a great deal, I wondered if you would ever come back. You stayed away way too long.”

He said, “I dinna want tae cause ye trouble. I wouldna hae come, but Max forced me tae accompany him. He picked the date. He believed twould be safer tae allow some time between visits. It wasna me. I dinna realize how much time had passed.”

“Yeah, well it was a long time, I was really worried.” Then softer, “But you didn’t cause me trouble. It’s fine, I’m just really glad you came back.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Tis true that ye and Master Cooper are nae more?”

I said, “It’s true, but also, I want it on the record. He hired the security guards, he built my stable, he’s been…”

He smiled a sad smile. “I am relieved. I am grateful he took yer safety seriously. Tis a difficult thing tae be centuries away, there is a finality tae it.”

“I felt the same way. A while back I looked up your name in the historical records to see if you were still...”

I couldn’t finish it.

“Was I?”

“I couldn’t tell, it was hard to find you, and…. everyone said you weren’t coming back, that you left for good. As the weeks passed, I began to believe it was true.”

He said, “Och, I thought ye had died.”

My chin trembled. “I thought you had too.”

He used the table to steady himself as he got down to his knees and leaned his head on my lap. He took my hands and kissed them.

I sobbed. Tears streamed down my face until I couldn’t cry anymore.

He whispered, with his lips on my fingers, “I ken, I feel it as well, mo leannan.”

He curled his head in my lap and wrapped his arms around my hips.

He hugged me, tight and intense. I stroked along the edge of his face, his beard, soothing, feeling him slowly grow steady and calm.

After a while he rose and took my fingers again, lifting them to his lips.

“I love ye, mo leannan,” he said. “Ye hae become part o’ my heart. I canna bear tae be away.”

“I feel the same.” I tucked a stray curl behind his ear. “In every way I feel like you saved my life. Thank you.”

He chuckled then. “Ye might be grateful now, but wait until ye find out how hard twill be tae regain yer kingdom.”

I teased, “I’m still furious with you about that, you’ve ruined my life.”

He laughed, “First ye tell me I saved ye, now I hae ruined ye!”

“You’ve done both, you’ve done all the things, I’m so mad.” I twirled a lock of his hair in my fingers and then smoothed it back.

He said, “Max is always irritated with me. I cause vexation wherever I go. Tis my way, mo leannan. Ye are certain ye want me tae go on ruinin’ ye and savin’ ye?”

“Yes.”

He kissed my knuckles, then raised up, and kissed me on the lips. It was a lovely pressing, and when he broke away he helped me to my feet and drew me close. A tight embrace.

God, I loved this man.

How did this happen?

How did I come to this moment — so full of love for him?

I said, “I love you. What do we do now? I don’t want to be without you. Can you stay?”

He looked down on me and shook his head. “Nae, I canna stay. Max needs me.”

“Then I will go with you.”

“Ye would go with me — even if there will be danger and deprivation and an uncertain future without all the comfort ye are used tae?”

“As long as we are together, then yes?—”

My eyes drew to the window.

The ring of trees were black against the deep indigo sky. The treetops were moving, the wind had picked up.

Torin felt me stiffen, he followed my eyes to the glass. Then we both went for a closer look.

There was a storm out near the main road.

“Max!” I called, soft at first, then louder.

Torin ran for the hallway. “Max, m’laird, somebody’s comin’!”

There was no answer.

We both ran down the hallway looking quickly in the other rooms. Empty.

We got to the front door. I pulled the curtain aside and peeked out. There was no one on the porch. We yanked the door open, rushed out, and Torin looked out over the lawn. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Max!”

A security guard came from around the corner. “What’s going on?”

I said, “Was anyone here, did you... see anyone come or go?”

He scratched his head. “Yeah, your friend had his horse, he said he was going for a walk, to get some air. He went that way.” He pointed in the direction of the main road. “Likely the storm will send him back.”

I looked over at Torin, his hands on his head, spinning, looking in all directions.

Then he returned to the porch. “Och nae, I think he has gone.”

“But... why would he leave you?”

He met my eyes.

I said, “He’s probably coming right back, though, right? Did he say anything to you about leaving?”

“Nae.”

We walked into the house.

I asked, “Maybe he left a note?”

I stuck my head in the first two rooms and scanned, while Torin went through to my hobby room, he called out, “I found a letter.”

I rushed in to find Torin standing in front of my desk, and Dude sitting there on top of a piece of 18 x 24 drawing paper. Torin was looking down at the paper while petting Dude.

I had started a pencil sketch on that piece of paper, years ago, of my family tree. It was unfinished. I had planned to ink it, to put the names in calligraphy, and make the tree look realistic.

I had my great-great grandparents and all the grandparents and aunts and uncles down to me written on leaves. After my parents died I started the project, thinking it would bring me solace, but instead it had made me really sad, most everyone on the tree was dead and gone, except my uncle, and me.

On that piece of paper with the sketched out names of my whole family, as I had formerly known it, was a note, written using one of my calligraphy pens:

My Dear Sister, Alexandria,

Ye hae only just been restored tae me, and already we must part. The usurper grows stronger with each day I linger. While I draw breath I must fight for our throne, our birthright.

I leave ye in the safekeeping of Torin, who has sworn his life tae guard ye. Trust him, as I do. He will not fail ye.

If fate is kind, we will stand together again, until then, be brave, Alexandria. Be safe. And know that wherever I march, I carry ye in my heart.

— Ever yer brother, Maximillian, Prince of Riaghalbane

Then small in the bottom corner he wrote.

My deepest apologies, Alexandria, I hae broken this.

It was the black plastic drawer from my DVD player.

Then another small note.

I hope ye forgive me, I hae taken the pen, as twill be useful.

I looked at Torin.

Torin looked at me and back down at the letter and lamented, Och nae.