Smoke from the freshly stoked fires outside the tent twisted in the wind as Cailin knelt beside Elspet. His gaze lingered upon her pale skin framed by her deep, chestnut-brown hair, and how her lashes lay like curved moons upon her cheeks.
A flake of snow swirled inside and landed upon her lips. Lips he’d tasted. Cailin silently cursed. Lulled by the emotions of sharing his past, her understanding, he’d lowered his guard. He tried to smother the memories of the softness of her skin against his, the deep yearning pulsing through his body, failed.
Blast it! He gave her a gentle nudge. “Lass, ’tis time to go.”
Sleep-laden lids lifted and emerald-green eyes like water-drenched moss met his. In the haze of slumber, tenderness warmed her gaze, and he was tempted to skim his knuckles across her chin ina soft caress.
Boots crunched on snow as Taog approached.“Is she awake?”
Grimacing, Cailin withdrew his hand. “Aye.” The interruption was for the best. He needed to be moving, not remain secluded within the tent and allow his thoughts to linger in dangerous territory.
She gasped as she looked toward the Romani leader. “Why are youhere so early?”
“Early?” A smile tugged his mouth. “’Tis longpast sunrise.”
Lines furrowed her brow as she pushed to a sitting position and glanced outside. “I thought we were to depart before dawn.”
“That is what I intended, but there were several things I needed to discuss with Taog before we left. Nor do I mind the few hours’ delay. With the hard travel these past few days and your injury, the extra rest served you well.”
Her eyes narrowed as she shoved aside the covers. “Nay more than it did you.”
Cailin lifted a brow as she jerked on her cape. He’d riled her. Nor could that be helped. He’d made solid progress in the few hours he’d spoken with the band’s leader in private. Time in which they’d decided on a place to leave messages for each other, and an occasion he’d used to take a better measure of Taog.
His initial impression proved true. He was a formidable warrior, a fair leader, and a man who cared for those beneath his guard. Though Cailin appreciated the Romani leader’s concern about Elspet’s welfare, his offer to keep her in the camp and beneath his guard until Cailin seized Tiran Castle was out of the question.
Not that he wanted her by his side, Cailin assured himself. He needed her knowledge of the land and the people as they traveled. Besides, she was safer with him. If that argument was weak, he refused to analyze it further.
* * * *
Falling snow lashed against Cailin’s face as he broke through the dense fir skirting the edge of the field. The sun, high in the sky, illuminated the pristine land, the sparkles of light reflecting off the snow-laden land like fairy dust tossed.
Fairy dust indeed. Bemused, he shook his head at the thought. Years had passed since his mother had told him stories of the fey, of how they sprinkled the fields with magic dust seen only on clear, sun-filled winter days. He must be tired indeed to be likening snow to themagical powder.
He glanced to Elspet, riding at his side, took in her stiff posture. “How do you fare?”
Wisps of hair fluttered against her face, she stared straight ahead. “I am fine. We should reach the secret tunnel leading to the castle soon.”
Hours ago, he’d chosen to ignore her cool manner, one she’d worn like a cloak since they’ddeparted camp.
Was she thinking of Taog? Not that he gave a bloody damn if she cared for the Romani leader. ’Twas for the best her interest lay elsewhere. He had vows to keep, not plans for a woman in his life, more so a stubborn lass who, regardless that she’d sworn him fealty, twisted himinside and out.
A rumble sounded in the distance.
With a grimace, he scanned their surroundings as he drew his mount to a halt.
Elspet pulled up at his side, studied the rough landscape, shot him a nervous glance.“’Tis riders.”
The thrum grew louder.
“Let us go.” Damning the odds that they’d run into his uncle’s men, he kicked his mount into a canter. Cailin kept near the firs, where pine needles lay bare and would leave few tracks, wishing he had time to erase any sign oftheir passing.
As they navigated past a staggered array of large boulders, he caught sight of another group of riders approachingfrom the west.
“Follow me!” Without a safe option to move into the woods without being seen, he reined hard, guided his destrier between two large stones, wove until they were deep between the huge rocks, then dismounted. “Wait here.”
Face pale, she met his gaze. “Whereare you going?”
“To erase our tracks.”
