“Bloody cold,” aman muttered.
“Finnean,” another man called, “we know youare in there.”
A faint scuff of the door, then a series of rough coughs sounded. “What do ye want?” Father Lamond asked, his voice weak and disguised witha coarse rasp.
“Dinna come closer,” the first knight warned. “We are looking for a man and a woman.”
“I—” Another round of coughs broke the silence. “I haveseen nay one.”
“Open your door wider and move away from the entry,” the second man called, “so we can see inside.”
“My old bones are weak with cold,” the priest called out. “I dinna want to lose the heat in my home.”
“Do it, or we will burn down the hut,” another man warned.
A grumble sounded.
The thud of hooves upon snow grew louder.
“What do you think they are doing?”
At the worry in her voice, Cailin glanced over. “They must be looking inside the hut.”
“I see naught,” a guard said.
“Nor I,” another said.
“Search the stable,” the deepvoice ordered.
Hand tightening around his dagger, Cailin held his fingerup to his lips.
The door scraped open. The crunch of boots upon straw grew closer.
“Do you see anything?” a man called from outside.
“Naught but horses,” the knight paces away replied.
“Fine pieces of horseflesh,” the priest said, then began coughing. “S-should bring a fair price this spring.”
Theguard grunted.
Through the breaks in the hay, Cailin made out the man’s boots heading toward the exit. Thank God.
The door banged shut.
“Who are you looking for?” Father Lamond called out.
“None of your concern, old man,” the guard replied. “Let us go.” The thud of hooveson snow faded.
“That was too close. If they had found us…” Elspet’s hand trembled as she secured her dagger.
He sheathed his weapon. “We are all safe, which is what matters. But with the guards nay doubt returning to check whether we have taken shelter here, ’tis unsafe to remain. With you well enough to travel, we leave at first light.” He shoved aside the shield of dried grass.
Elspet’s hand touched his arm, and he turned. Pieces of hay stuck out from her hair, and chestnut tangles framed her face.
His body tightened with an awareness that he’d been struggling against throughout her recuperation, and he damned his senses for being so attuned to her faint scent of heather woven within the sweet fragrance of hay. Her lips softly parted, and he found his gaze lingering on their fullness.
“I thankyou,” she said.
