Slowly, she drifted, never more at peace than at this moment. Aye, he was her chosen one, and of that she no longer had any doubt. Only now, she needed to make him see so as well.
Ha. That might just be her greatest mission to come.
A seagull screeched overhead and Ella stirred awake as a soft breeze rose. She stretched and pushed the covers back off her head and smiled. The skies had lightened, dawn close and the cloying fog beginning to swirl away. The misty silhouette of Duncan’s two guards standing on patrol near the galley became clearer, while at her side her mate snoozed and although he’d denied their bond last eve, she’d never have fallen asleep so readily beside him if he didn’t hold the other half of her soul. Smiling wider, she ran her fingers through his black locks and touched her nose to his. “Wake up, my stubborn one.”
“I need more sleep,” he muttered and hooked his arms around her waist. “It cannae be morning yet.”
“’Tis close and we must dress afore your men return.”
“Dress, aye.” He blinked his eyes open, kissed her forehead then grumbled loud and long as he sat up and reached behind him. He snagged his satchel next to the fire and grumbled some more. “I shouldnae be kissing you.”
“You’re clearly no’ a morning person.”
“I simply find it annoying to wake up next to you.” He foraged within his bag, pulled out a tunic and eased the soft blue cotton over his head then thrust a pair of brown rawhide breeches under the covers and shuffled into them. Once dressed, he slipped out, stuffed his feet into his boots and sheathed his claymore at his side before passing across her bag someone had kindly thought to leave for her. “Hamish hung your wet clothes on the branch behind you. Dinnae forget to collect them.”
“Thank you.” She flipped open the top flap of her bag, pulled out her blue breeches and cream tunic, shoved them under the blankets and dressed while he turned his gaze away. “We might be mated, but clearly ’tis too dangerous for me to stay here with you when one of your men tossed me overboard. Even though he apologized for having to do so, I must still leave. I cannae take the risk to my life, no’ when Ethan needs me, my mama too.”
She shuffled out of their warm cocoon, tugged her riding boots on and slid her dagger inside an ankle sheath.
“I’ve already told you that none of my men would dare harm a lass. You must be mistaken.”
“I understand your loyalty belongs to your men, and rightly so.” She couldn’t fault him for his trust in his men. “Although there have simply been too many years of warring between our clans that cannae be forgiven or forgotten. So many fear my skill as well, particularly when ’tis well known I could kill a man if I wished, and with only one word.”
“I’ve given you my vow of protection.”
“I’m most grateful for it, but it isnae enough at present.”
“You’re remaining here with me, and I’ll have it no other way.”
“Spoken like a true mate.” On her toes, she smiled and kissed his cheek. “Mayhap we’ll continue this conversation later. I require a few moments of privacy so I might tend to my needs.”
“Of course, although dinnae wander too far.” He stormed down toward his guardsmen.
Wonderful. It appeared she’d been gifted with the most stubborn mate there was. She slung her black coat on and once wrapped within its warmth, ducked into the trees. She trekked a hundred feet inland then once she’d found a thick bush, crouched behind it. Done, she walked back to the beach and washed her hands at the water’s edge.
Duncan still stood with his two guardsmen, his arms crossed over his wide chest while behind him the sun breached the horizon and sent a heavenly wash of gold and pink streaming through the pale blue sky. The ocean’s skyline outlined him to perfection, her warrior who was armed and ready for the trials of the day to come. Unfortunately, she’d likely continue to be one of them.
She plodded to her bag and sat, pulled out an oatcake and ate. As she finished her meager meal, a team of his men trekked out of the woods with a dozen fish hanging from a long stick between them.
Two of the men set their catch over the fire, added more logs to keep it ablaze while the others dispersed about the beach, some washing up where the waves tumbled into shore and others perching on low boulders along the grassy verge of the bank. None cast her any strange looks or seemed overly worried about her. Who on earth had decided to do her harm? If she could pinpoint the man, ’twould make things far easier.
Another team of men returned, the warrior at the head holding clear Viking heritage, his pale hair shining a golden-white in the morning sun and his legs as thick as tree trunks.