She didn’t smile, as he’d expected her to. Instead, she squeezed his hand. “I know I shouldn’t be afraid. I’ve done nothing wrong, and the only reason I came here was to plead for my father’s life. Yet I cannot help but feel the coldness in this place.”
“And that is why I need to know what lies behind those walls,” he told her. “You said before that the men you sent on Devlin’s behalf were killed. We need to know why.” She nodded and pulled him close for a kiss. He tasted her fear and tried to soothe it. “If I have not returned by dawn, do not come after me.”
She was already shaking her head. “His men will know that ours are here. We cannot hide fifty men for more than a few hours.”
“The MacEgan guards have come to join with the High King’s men. They might believe that Maeve has come for the same reason, to bring soldiers and atone for her husband’s mistakes.”
Killian could see the unrest in her eyes, the unwillingness to obey him. He rested his palm against her cheek. “If it’s safe, I will come back for you, Taryn. This, I promise.”
“And if it isn’t safe? What if you don’t come back?”
“Then you must return with your mother. Turn away from all of this.” Her safety mattered more than all else. Though he doubted if the High King would pursue them, he didn’t want Taryn to face any danger.
“Walk with me a moment,” she said quietly, swinging down from the horse.
He dismounted and she led him away from the others. Her hand was cold, and when they were alone, out of view of the others, she said, “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
There was far more longing in her voice than there should have been. He knew what was happening between them, and he regretted his earlier coercion regarding her kingdom. No matter what happened, he had to keep her safe, at all costs.
“I know how to defend myself,a stór.”
She stared at him, and then drew her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his heart. “I need you to stay alive, Killian. Don’t do anything dangerous.”
“I know how to blend in with my surroundings, Taryn.”
She squeezed him tightly and then drew back, lifting her face to his. “Be safe.”
Her words slid into him like an invisible embrace, and he kissed her hard. This woman had somehow reached inside him, giving her heart to him.
“What will you do if they recognize you?” she ventured.
“The only soldiers who have seen me before are those searching for Carice.” He slid back a lock of her hair. “If they have not returned, I will be fine. If they have told the High King about my sister’s disappearance, then we are both in danger. Brian may blame me for her disappearance, to save himself.”
She paled at that. “I don’t like this, Killian.”
Neither did he. There was a greater risk now, with more to lose. He was venturing into a place where he knew no one, where he would be seen as an enemy. And although he could remain unseen, if he made the wrong move, it might cost him his life.
“I have this feeling I won’t see you again,” Taryn whispered. “And it frightens me.”
He gripped her hard, kissing her temple. “Youwillsee me again.” As a teasing note, he added, “I need my land, don’t I?”
She didn’t smile. For they both knew that the chances of him sharing a true marriage with her were nearly impossible. More likely the High King would execute Devlin and seize control of his lands. Rory might force both Maeve and Taryn to wed menwho were loyal to him. Even if Killian did wed Taryn in secret, the King could easily dissolve the marriage by having him killed.
He kissed her softly. “Remain with the soldiers until dawn. Do not let anyone see you.” He needed her to remain safe while he explored the outbuildings at Tara.
“I will.”
For a moment, he palmed her cheek, taking a moment to memorize her features. Deep blue eyes studied his with worry, and she covered his hand. Her long black hair framed a face that haunted him now. He would never forget those features or the way her expression transformed while he was moving inside her.
And though he feared he had to give her up after this, he wanted to savor these last moments.
“Be careful,” Taryn urged.
He gave a hard nod and disappeared into the night.
Hours passed, and still, Killian hadn’t returned. It was dawn now, and Taryn slipped outside the tent, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. All night, she had worried that he’d been caught by the High King’s men. She couldn’t bear it if anything happened to him. Aye, it had been unwise to join with him and spend the night in his arms during these past few nights. Yet she was not sorry for the choices she’d made.
It no longer mattered that she was the daughter of a king and he was the bastard son of Rory Ó Connor. Killian was the man she cared deeply about, and he had never once turned away from her scars. But the danger in this place had slid within her bones, making her fear that they would threaten him.
