A fatigued smile touched his mouth. “With your expertise with a bow, several times I thanked God that you were on our side.”
“I am proud to be fighting alongside your father’s warriors. They are skilled men.”
“They are.” His eyes darkened with warmth.
She drew a steading breath. Was he thinking about her earlier declaration of love? Was this thelaterhe’d mentioned? Nerves tangled her mind as she scanned the flicker of distant fires beyond the wall walk. What if he didna share her feelings? Once they’d reached Avalon Castle and he departed, would he forget her? Her heart ached at the thought.
Mayhap she was creating strife where none existed. Until he explained, she wouldna know. Neither would she press him. Well she understood the struggle to bear one’s soul.
Tension churning inside, she glanced toward the heavens darkening to a milky purple. “I can see a star.”
“The sky is clear,” Thomas said. “’Twill be cold.”
“My father’s men have started several campfires. Mayhap they willna attack this night.” And she prayed ’twas true.
Thomas grunted. “The fires are but a decoy. Before this night is over, Comyn will strike again.”
“’Twas what I feared.” Shivering, she tucked her hands beneath her cloak. On edge, she glanced over, frustrated that shadows had claimed his face. “About earlier…when I said I loved you.”
He remained silent.
The building of nerves overrode her intent to say naught until he was ready. “With the battle upon us, and unsure of the outcome…” She blew out a rough breath, and an icy cloud misted between them faded. “I wanted you to know.”
Moved, needing to touch her, Thomas cupped her face, his words of love trembling on his lips. On a rough breath he stilled them. “Never have I met a lass like you.
Within the cast of torchlight, hurt flickered on her face, and he damned that he couldna give her the answer she wished. He stroked his thumb across her cheek. “You are an amazing woman, never doubt that.”
“I shouldna have told you,” she whispered. “’Twas foolish.”
She tried to turn away, but he held her. “When a person speaks her heart, ’tis never foolish.”
Memoires of their plans for intimacy this night left him aching. Thomas refused to utter promises he couldna keep, nor would he leave her with naught. “I spoke with my father earlier. If Bruce agrees, once Comyn is defeated, you are welcome to live in Dair Castle. Your skills as a healer and archer are welcome.”
“And you?”
“I will fight alongside our king until Scotland is united.”
“I see.”
He damned the tremor in her voice, and his intent to say naught of what she made him feel dissolved. His father was right, naught was guaranteed. Thomas took her hand, love for Alesone filling his heart
“They are scaling the wall on the south end!” a knight shouted.
“Ladders are hitting the east side as well,” another warrior on their left yelled.
With a curse that he’d allowed his thoughts to wander from duty, Thomas glanced over the side. “There are ladders on north side!”
“Prepare for a full scale attack,” the duke roared.
Scrapes of steel melded with the cries of death as Thomas drove his blade into an ascending knight, the falling man quickly replaced by another. Hours passed as he battled until slowly silence filled the night. Nae convinced the enemy had left, he scoured the night, the lingering stars nae lending enough light to detect where their enemy had withdrawn to.
As dawn’s faint glow shimmered in the distance, his brother, exhaustion lining his face, walked over. “They have extinguished all of their fires.”
“To move to new positions, nay doubt.” Thomas wiped the sweat from his brow.
The clack of authoritative steps sounded. His father paused beside them. “Have you seen or heard any movement?”
“Nay,” Donnchadh replied.
