“I allowed her to wed Matthew, simply rode away knowing it would happen. That isnae something any man would do with his chosen one. Even I’m aware of that.” Nay, no bond existed between them, and of that he was certain. Up ahead, a lanky-legged lad in loosely belted pants brushed down a sleek brown war horse before the stables, while another lad saddled a destrier for the guardsman awaiting his mount. The warrior thanked the lad with a nod, mounted his steed and galloped into the forest.
“I was so wary at first of giving Ella my trust,” Duncan continued as they walked, “of allowing her to learn exactly who I was and that I held fae blood, but she knew we were soul bound and within a short time I couldnae deny that bond either. What if Fiona is your mate?”
“I must seal my alliance with the MacRae. ’Tis my duty to ensure our clan survives and thrives.” Scrubbing a hand over his nape, his fear for Fiona rose stronger and pulsed through him. No matter Duncan had worked hard to keep their land clear of their enemy while he’d been away, they could still slink in and he’d allowed Fiona to escape him and never should have. She better damn well have taken a guard. Surely none of his men here would have allowed her to leave without first ensuring one of them rode out with her.
“I can see the fear in your eyes.” Duncan squeezed his shoulder. “We’ll find her and you’ll make things right.”
“The only right thing for me is to remain here.” He stepped up to the stable lad and muttered, “Mistress Fiona rode out this morn. Which guard did she take with her?”
“None, my laird. She took the trail between here and Ardan and knows the way well. ’Tis safe.”
“She rides farther than Ardan this day.”
“She didnae say so.” Fear rippled within the lad’s eyes. “Are ye certain?”
“Very, and in the future”—he gritted his teeth—“you’ll never allow her to leave without first ensuring she has a guard with her, no matter where she rides to. Saddle my destrier and my brother’s as well. Be quick about it, lad. We need to leave with all haste.”
“Aye, right away.” The lad whistled out to another boy and the two scurried inside the stables.
Impatient, Coll paced the cliff top. He wouldn’t consider the danger she’d now put herself in, because if he did, he’d surely lose it. A seagull soared overhead, circled then dove into the tumbling waters of the loch. It squawked as it heaved back out of the rolling surf with a fish flapping from its beak. Another seagull gave chase and the first landed on the rocks, guarding its catch and hissing at the second bird wishing to steal its plunder. That was how he felt right now, as if he needed to catch and guard his plunder. He shook his head of the unhelpful thought.
“Two horses saddled, my laird.” The lad returned, reins in hand.
He thanked him, checked the cinch, slung his war coat on and bounded into his saddle.
Beside him, Duncan mounted up, his leather saddle creaking.
“Let’s be off.” No more could he wait. He thrust his knees into his horse and galloped out of the yard, dust swirling into the air.
’Twas time to hunt Fiona down and ensure she never made the mistake again of leaving his keep without first taking an adequate guard. He’d certainly never admit to himself there might be another reason why he needed to make this chase. Aye, she’d undertaken a dangerous journey alone and with her being close kin, she came under his protection. He wouldn’t fail her now.
If only he hadn’t touched her last eve.
Aye, he’d always wanted more with her, to the depths of his very soul, although that didn’t mean a mated bond had formed between them. He would never have allowed her to wed Matthew if that were the case.
“You appear worried. You can speak to me about anything, brother.” Duncan eyed him from low in his saddle as the wind swept through the trees and rustled the pine branches.
“Fiona and I have always been close, more so than I’ve probably ever let on.” The words tumbled forth and he cleared his throat. “That’s no’ to say we’re mated, because we arenae.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not.”
“These past few months, she’s been awaiting your return as keenly as Kyla and I have.”
“That does no’ mean we’re mated.”
“Every time one of our warriors has sought her company out, she’s politely turned them away.” His brother raised a brow. “She’s a widow, Coll, could so easily take her pick of any of the men here should she wish one of them for her husband. They all adore her, always have and always will, but now that I’m aware of how you’ve touched her, so much more makes sense. You’ve always struggled to keep your gaze off her. When she entered a room, you watched.”
“I believed my time with her last eve to be merely a dream. I didnae know I was actually touching her in truth.”