Page 46 of Torin and His Oath (Torin and the Princess #2)

LEXI

T orin’s jaw clenched.

I knew, but I needed him to say it. “What did he do?”

“He has left me behind. Och nae, his battle for his throne is perilous. He needs my sword. ” He exhaled long.

I said, “Maybe he’ll come back for you before the fighting really begins. He must know he can’t do it alone, right? Maybe he was just giving us some time and he’ll be back tomorrow.”

Torin shook his head.

I said, “He needs you to protect him.”

He met my eyes. “He thinks the Princess needs my protection more.”

I put my hands on my hips. “I have guards!”

“Ye hae one guard outside, tis nae enough. Ye are a princess and ye need many men on yer walls. I think Max decided I would hae tae do.”

“Well... shoot. I’m worried about him. He wasn’t thinking straight. I could hire an army, I could level up my security. He didn’t need to go alone.”

“Aye, tis foolhardy. I canna secure yer safety and go tae his side. He has taken our only vessel.”

I blinked and then frowned. “I didn’t even think about that, Torin you’re stuck here!”

He nodded.

I looked at him, softer. “You’re stuck here. In the modern world... I mean, we’ve got great food and other comforts, but you’re going to really miss Scotland. I hope he comes back tomorrow.”

His eyes looked sad. “I truly doubt it. He had good reasons why he picked the date we returned here, how long did ye say twas?”

“Almost three months.”

He said, “Max wanted tae allow some time tae pass, he said twould keep ye safer. He inna going tae return tomorrow. He will stay away. He will try tae regain his throne. He will take on great risk, tryin’ tae win all the glory.”

“He would do that?”

“Ye met him, he can be a stubborn, pompous prince. I canna expect him tae return tae ask for help, unless tis verra dire, and then it might be too late for the assistance I can offer. Och nae, I ought tae hae kicked his arse earlier.”

I sighed and gave him a half smile. “So you could be here for a while?”

“Aye. Unless we can find another vessel.”

“That doesn’t sound possible.”

“Then, mo leannan, it means ye are stuck with me.”

My smile widened. “Well, this is good, I get to redeem myself. I was such a pain in the ass when we were together. I can be much more fun now, and you will get to see me when I’m not sick.”

He grinned. “Och twill be an improvement. I winna hae to watch ye purge yerself in a bowl.”

I agreed, “Yep, we have toilets and doors that lock, you won’t have to watch me do anything.”

“And ye winna hae anything tae complain on.”

I laughed. “Well… I can probably complain, but I won’t. Did you bring Lambo?”

“Aye, yer guards put them...” He groaned. “Max has been planning this for days, this is why he insisted I bring all my horses.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean, all your horses?”

“I hae four now: Kobold, Lambo, Trì, and Dà.”

My eyes went wide. I rushed to the window and looked out. “There are five horses in my yard! Holy smokes, that’s a herd.” I turned from the window. “This is an unexpected turn of events. So you will live here with a herd of horses?”

He nodded. “Thanks tae yer brother, the future king of Riaghalbane, who has deserted me in his time of needin’ me most.”

“Well, we are going to have to make the best of it.” I cocked my head. “Want something to eat?”

“Aye, I am famished.”

I led him back to the kitchen with Dude padding at my feet.

Torin sat down at the table. We had a beer, while I gathered a thick sliced, farmhouse-style white bread, three different kinds of cheese, and a stick of butter. “I don’t have bannocks, I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Tis fine, what are ye makin’ instead?”

I said, “A grilled cheese sandwich with some creamy goat cheese, a chunky blue cheese, and some slices of smoked cheddar.”

He said, “Och, that is m’second favorite.”

“Is not, I bet you’ve never even had a grilled cheese sandwich, and you’ve for sure not eaten soft, store-bought bread. Boy, are you in for a treat.

I turned on the stove, heated the pan, and slathered butter on the bread. I added a smear of pesto to the inside and began to layer the cheeses: a layer of the creamy cheese, some nuggets of blue cheese, a couple of slices of cheddar. “You want eggs on the side?”

He nodded.

So while the sandwich began cooking I cracked eggs. “You say you’re famished, how many eggs do you want?”

He said casually, “Four?”

I broke four eggs into a bowl. “You’re sure only four?”

“How many will be fair?”

“I have two more.”

“Och, six eggs then, it sounds verra good.”

I cracked two more into the bowl and whipped them up. Then I gestured toward the bathroom. “You’re going to need to wash up, go ahead and get comfortable.”

He went to the bathroom and was gone for a bit while I whipped up the grilled cheese with a side of scrambled eggs in my cast iron skillet.

When he returned he had washed, his hair was wet in the front, slicked back, his face and hands looked scrubbed.

He had his shirt loosened, untied at the neck.

He'd removed his weapons, including the scabbard and sheath.

He was barefoot which meant — I am going to stay.

He was so hot, it got me flustered.

He lived here now.

He sprawled in the chair, leaning back with a beer in hand, knees splayed wide — at rest, but still cocky.

I flipped the sandwich, slid it onto a plate, spooned the scrambled eggs on the side and turned around. His brow was arched, the corner of his mouth up.

I said, “You’re enjoying this, me cooking for you?”

“Och aye.”

“I suppose I owe you after all those hours of you holding drinks to my mouth, trying to nurse me back to health.”

He said gently, “Ye daena owe me a thing, mo leannan.”

I placed it in front of him and then dropped into the seat across from him. “ Voilà, you know what eggs are but this is a grilled cheese sandwich. See the cheese oozing out? That’s how you know it’s going to be good.”

“Och aye, but I must pray first.”

He folded his hands together and bent his head. “Bless this food before me, Lord, and the hands that prepared it. May it give me strength tae guard what I hold dear, and never falter. Amen.”

He lifted his head and reached for the fork.