The Betrayal

CHAPTER Nine


“Look, my lady.”

They had been climbing steadily all day. Now, as they crested yet another hill and looked out over a Highland meadow, the sun was obscured behind a distant mountain peak. Fingers of mauve and orchid and deep purple slanted across the land, casting long shadows from gnarled trees and tumbled rocks.

“Amazing.” Kylia’s voice was whispered, in deference to the majesty of the scene spread out before her. “There’s such a wild, primitive look to it.”

“Aye. And always it stirs my heart.” Grant brought his mount to a halt and sat for long moments, drinking in the scene.

At last he slid from the animal’s back before reaching up to her. He lifted her from the saddle and she felt the quick sizzle of excitement along her spine as his arms came around her. When he set her on her feet, she stood perfectly still, breathing deeply to clear her mind.

He tethered the horse and removed the blanket roll from behind the saddle. “I’ll get a fire going, my lady, and then see about finding something to eat.”

While he built a fire, Kylia forced herself to move. Needing something to do, she unrolled the fur throw, intending to shake it before spreading it on the grass. She looked down in surprise at the sight of several bundles inside. Unwrapping them, she let out a laugh of delight.

“You’ve no need to hunt our food, my lord. It seems the villagers are still showing their gratitude, even though we’ve left them far behind.” She held up the first bundle. “Dried mutton. Enough for many nights. And in this…” She unrolled a second to reveal sugared scones. “They wanted to make certain we didn’t starve before arriving at your fortress.”

“Such good people. They didn’t need to do this.”

“They wanted to show how much they love you for saving one of their own.”

He stepped back from the fire, brushing his hands along his tunic. “They love you as well, my lady.” The look he gave her was so hot, so fierce, it had her heart faltering. He touched a finger to her cheek. “How could they not?”

That simple touch had her paralyzed. She forgot to breathe. Her heart forgot to beat as he stared down into her eyes.

She wanted him to kiss her. Wanted it desperately.

He seemed to consider it, before he abruptly turned away and removed the flask at his waist. Over his shoulder, he called, “I’ll fetch water from the stream while you uncover the rest of our meal.”

She watched him walk away and waited for her heart to settle. As she began unwrapping the food, she pondered how she could possibly deal with these strange, new emotions that battered her. For so long she had lived a simple life in a calm environment. Now she’d been thrust into a world of violent, explosive emotions that had her feeling confused, troubled, throwing her completely off balance.

She sat back on her heels and closed her eyes, picturing in her mind her family gathered around the table. The image had her smiling.

“Oh, Gram. Mum. You both lived in this world before you returned to the Mystical Kingdom. You’ve experienced all these things. I need your wisdom now.” She lifted her head to the night sky and had to laugh at the clouds that looked exactly like Jeremy astride her winged horse Moonlight. There was his round little face, looking so serious. His little waistcoat flapping in the breeze. Another cloud rolled past, and she gasped as she recognized old Bessie, stooped over a kettle, stirring something. She could see clearly the apron tied around her thick middle, and the big wooden paddle she always used while cooking.

These cloud formations were no accident. Kylia knew at once they’d been sent by her family to comfort her. She watched Jeremy drift higher and higher, until he seemed to touch the stars, followed by Bessie, who lifted her wooden paddle to wave.

Kylia sighed. Both troll and hunchback had been mistreated in this world. But both had forgiven their tormentors, and spoke fondly of the many good people they had known. People who had given them aid and comfort and shelter in their time of need.

By the time Grant returned from the stream, Kylia was kneeling on the fur, a dreamy smile playing on her lips.

“You look happy, my lady.”

“Aye.” She watched as he reclined on the opposite side of the fur and began to eat. “I realize that, despite the violence in your land, there is much to like, as well. There is such kindness in your people.”

He broke open a scone and popped it into his mouth. “Not to mention some excellent cooks.”

Kylia laughed. “Aye. There is that. Tell me about the cook at your fortress.”

“Her name is Mester. She cooked for my father and his father before him. And she has cooked for my brother and me since we were born.”

“Such a long time.”

“Aye. And in all that time I’ve never known her to cook something I didn’t like.”

“You must be easy to please.”

“Or perhaps she is as gifted as you, my lady, and can see in my heart what I like before I tell her.”

Kylia laughed. “If only it were that simple.”

“Isn’t it?” Grant lowered his hand and set aside his scone, suddenly serious. “Are you telling me that you can’t see into my heart?”

She shook her head.

He seemed almost relieved. “But you said you had seen me long before I came to your shores.”

“Aye. For I have glimpses of the past and the future. But only glimpses, my lord. And not always when it is convenient.”

That had him smiling. “I suppose it would be disconcerting to have a man’s face suddenly appearing in your line of vision.”

“Aye. Especially when I might be swimming, or riding amid the clouds on Moonlight’s back, or even sleeping.”

“I came to you in your sleep?”

She looked away. “Many times.”

He didn’t know why that should please him, but it did. “Did I ever speak to you?”

She shook her head. “I never heard your voice until you washed up on our shore, but I…”

A chilling cry sounded from the depth of the forest.

Grant’s hand was at the dirk at his waist even as he got to his feet and spun around.

“What was that, my lord?”

“I know not.” He helped her to stand and led her away from the fire. “Keep to the shadows until I return.”

Kylia felt her heart thundering as he walked away. Every minute that he was gone from her felt like an eternity. She imagined every sort of vicious creature lurking in the darkness, waiting to devour him. But as the silence stretched out, she began to fear that perhaps the barbarians had returned and had already attacked, leaving him alone and lying in his own blood somewhere in the forest.

He’d ordered her to stay. But what if he needed her? What good would she do him here, cowering in fear?

Just as she was about to follow, he stepped from the forest carrying a small bundle in his arms.

“What is this?” Kylia peered down at a mass of blood and matted fur.

“It appears to be a wolf pup. It must have wandered from the safety of its den and was attacked by a predator.” Grant laid the pup down on the fur throw and began to pour the contents of his flask of water over the wounds. He looked up. “Puncture wounds. Deep. From the talons of an eagle, perhaps. I doubt the pup can survive. ’Twould be best if I ended its misery quickly.”

Kylia knelt beside him and began to probe the wounds. She could feel the shallow breaths of the animal, and the trembling as shock set in. The pup’s eyes closed, as though ready to accept its fate.

She moved aside their food and began wrapping the pup in the fur throw. Then she lifted the bundle in her arms and sat with her back against the trunk of a tree, crooning softly.

Grant dropped to one knee beside her. “You needn’t do this, my lady. It’s but a small creature of the wild. Death comes often here in the forests of the Highlands. You need to save yourself for the daunting task ahead.”

She shook her head, sending dark curls dancing. “No life is insignificant, my lord. Even one such as this. Rest now, while I do what I can.”

Instead of lying beside the fire he got to his feet and began to walk just outside the circle of firelight. He told himself it was because he wanted to see to their safety. But there was no denying the real reason. He needed to keep his distance from the lovely Kylia. Whenever he got too close, he was torn by the temptation to take what he had no right to. Just kneeling beside her, watching her cradle a wounded animal in her arms, had him thinking about things that were better left alone.

And so, while she rocked and crooned to a simple wolf pup, he stayed in the shadows and watched from a distance. And hoped with all his heart that when this was finished, and they had accomplished what they sought in his kingdom, he could return her to hers as he’d found her. Unspoiled by the evils of his world.

The night had grown silent. Except for the hooting of a nearby owl, and the gentle whisper of the breeze among the leaves, the forest creatures slept.

Kylia brushed a finger over the soft fur of the wolf pup and was rewarded by a quick lick of its tongue. This time when it closed its eyes, it wasn’t to face death, but peaceful rest.

Drawing the fur throw around the sleeping creature, she laid it close to the fire for warmth before crossing the distance to the bubbling stream. There she knelt and scooped water to her mouth. Satisfied, she got to her feet and brushed down her skirts. As she turned, she saw a shadow looming over her and gave a gasp of alarm.

“My lord.” Recognizing Grant, she sighed. “You startled me.”

“Forgive me. How does the pup fare?”

“His wounds are healing. He’s sleeping as peacefully as a baby.”

“You should be doing the same. Our journey on the morrow will be long and arduous, if we’re to reach my fortress before dark.”

She tossed her head. “I’m not tired. In fact, I feel strangely invigorated. Perhaps it’s the presence of the wolf pup.” Even as she said the words, she felt shamed, knowing the pup was only a tiny part of these strange feelings. The real reason for the tumult in her heart was the man standing before her. He could rouse her, lift her, seduce her with but a look. Because it wasn’t possible for her to lie, or even evade the truth, she blurted, “Nay, it isn’t the presence of the pup. It’s you, my lord.”

He stepped back, eyeing her with a puzzled frown. “What are you saying?”

“I’m not feeling invigorated because of the wolf pup, but because of you.” She took a step closer, narrowing the distance between them. She lifted a finger to his mouth. Just the merest touch, but she felt its repercussions clear to her toes. “It’s knowing we’re alone here.”

Grant was determined to ignore the rush of heat. But there was no ignoring the way his heart was pumping furiously. “You’re in a strange new land, far away from home and family for the first time, my lady. That is the only reason you can’t sleep.”

“Deny it if you must, my lord. But I know what my heart is feeling.”

She saw him go very still.

When at last he spoke, even his tone was hushed. “What is your heart feeling, my lady?”

“Strangely elated. As though on the verge of some new and wonderful discovery.” She traced the outline of his mouth with her finger.

He closed his hand around her wrist, stopping the movement. His eyes were narrowed on her with such intensity she felt a quick twist of fear.

“Do you know what happens when you tempt a sleeping wolf, my lady?”

When she said nothing, he whispered, “You become its prey. The wolf, once awakened, devours you.”

He released her hand and turned away. His snub was like a knife to her heart.

Over his shoulder, he said softly, “Go now and rest for the morrow’s journey.”

Kylia felt tears spring to her eyes and brushed them away with the back of her hand. She watched as Grant took up his sword and stepped back into the shadows. As she started toward the fire, she blinked away the rest of her tears. She would not permit herself to weep over this man. Nor any man.

If she’d thought he would simply take what she offered, she was sadly mistaken.

She had, she realized, a great deal to learn about his world.