True to the Highlander(27)

She nodded and watched him examine it with a look of awe. He explored the rest of the room, picking up baskets and touching the gown that hung from its peg on the wall.

Alethia fetched the moccasins she’d made for him and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. He scrambled up to sit next to her on the bed. She signed that he was now in her care, though she knew he wouldn’t yet have any idea what she was telling him. She slipped the moccasins onto his feet and watched with pleasure as he admired his new footwear.

She was curious to see if she could sense what Hunter was feeling. Her abilities seemed amplified in this place and time. Maybe it was due to the lack of technology, or maybe it had something to do with the untapped depths Giselle had mentioned. Whatever it was, lately she’d gotten more from people than simply truth or lie.

Focusing her mind, she directed her senses toward him. She gasped when her effort was met with his energy coming toward her in a tingling rush. His face mirrored the shock and surprise she felt. Hunter scrambled up to his knees and hurled himself into her arms, clinging to her as if his very life depended upon it.

She held him tight as wave after wave of the loneliness, isolation and fear he’d lived with since the day his grandmother had died washed through him. His tears soaked her shoulder, and the palpable force of his relief nearly bowled her over. She sent him love and reassurance. He was not alone any longer.

Neither was she.





CHAPTER SIX



I yield, Malcolm!” James thrust the point of his claymore into the ground. “You’ve the devil in you this day.”

“You’re growing soft, James. We’ve only been at it since Prime.” The moment Lady Alethia had come to the lists, Malcolm had felt her presence. He meant to show her his prowess with the sword and couldn’t help but be pleased with the results. He took his shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat from his brow, glancing to where she stood with the lad at her skirts. Aye, she watched his every move.

Malcolm flexed his muscles and stretched to show them to their best advantage. “Hie yourself to the keep, James, and break your fast. I’m ready for a new challenge.” He grinned at his opponent with smug satisfaction.

James laughed. “I believe your lady awaits.”

Malcolm walked over to her, eager for praise. “Good morn to you, Lady True.” He gave her his most charming smile.

She frowned. “Lady True?”

“’Tis a fitting sobriquet.”

“I prefer my own name.”

“Aye, but ’twill help our clan to accept you if we give you a name of our own devising.” He smiled, smug in his position of authority. “What brings you to the lists?”

“You said if I needed anything, I should come to you.”

“I did. What is it you need?” She’d taken his words to heart, and it filled him with gladness.

“I need a dagger.” She folded her hands before her and returned his smile.

He frowned. “You’ve no need for a dagger. You are well protected within the curtain wall.”

“I’d feel better if I had one.” Still she smiled, though it seemed forced.

“You are under my protection. Every man at my command would come to your aid should you need it.”

Her smile disappeared altogether. “I appreciate the protection.” She took a breath. “However, I’d also like to feel that I can defend myself if I need to. How about a bow and arrows? I’m an excellent archer.”

“I dinna doubt your skills. You’ve no need to arm yourself, and no need to hunt. You will be provided for. I must think of everyone else’s safety.”

Her eyes grew large, and her mouth fell open. “Are you implying you won’t arm me to protect everyone else from me?”

“’Twas you who broke Hugh’s nose. Do you forget bringing me to my knees in hand-to-hand combat? You drew blood that day. You’re dangerous enough without a blade to hand.”

“You do mean that!”

“I have said you are under my protection, and that should suffice. No harm shall come to you.” What was wrong with the woman? She was supposed to tell him how manly he was. She was supposed to praise his prowess with the sword and admire his well-formed body.

“What about the little daggers everyone uses to eat? Can I at least have one of those?”

“God’s blood, you’re obstinate. You have asked, and I have said nay.”

Her eyes flashed, and her arms crossed over her chest. “If you won’t get them for me, I’ll find another way.”

“I forbid it,” he snapped.

“You’re not the boss of me.”

“Do you mean to provoke me, Alethia? God’s truth, your company is far more pleasing when you say naught.” The second the words left his mouth he wished to call them back. He reached for her, thought better of it and raked his hand through his hair. Her eyes met his just long enough for him to glimpse the hurt. She stomped away with the lad in her wake. Why did she always make him feel so twisted up inside?