As if conjured, moonbeams sliced through the darkness, edging the clouds with wisps of silver. Throughout the forest, shimmers of light played amongst the rain-slicked leaves and danced across the shadows with magical delight.
But the coldness of her body, along with thoughts of the men who searched for her and Colyne, stole any fragment of peace. They were safe, but for how long? At some point the knights would deduce they’d crossed the stream. She prayed they’d be long gone before then.
As she started up another steep incline, her body began to shake. Marie paused, trying to catch her breath.
Colyne halted and studied her face in the moonlight, his own marked by strain. “Are you injured?”
“Non, I am . . .”
“Exhausted.” A scowl marred his brow as he scanned the forest. “However much I wish we could stop to rest, ’tis too risky.”
“I know.” If allowed, she could fall asleep right here on the damp ground, and no doubt with his fatigue, he could do the same in a trice.
“I know of a shelter. ’Tis several more hours of travel, but it should be safe for the night.”
Regret weighted his voice, and she damned the entire situation. “You are from the Highlands. Could we not travel to one of your friends or family and rest there?”
“Nay.”
The fierceness of his tone caught her off guard. “Why not?”
“The men know we are traveling together. They would expect me to contact those I trust.” His expression darkened. “Nay doubt they have guards watching their homes, and I will nae jeopardize the lives of those I love or further endanger yours.”
His concern brought back turbulent memories of her secrets. And his. “They are after what is in the writ?”
Colyne turned away.
“Look at me,” she demanded, hurt that he continued to hide the truth. “After what we have been through, can you not at least answer that?”
He shook his head.
“What does—”
He rounded on her, the anger in his eyes making her breath catch. “If we are caught and you are ignorant of the content, there is a chance you will be allowed to live.”
Allowed to live? She glanced to where he’d hidden the document. What information could be so important that men would kill for it? Gold? Rebel plans for an assault against the English? The location of hidden arms to fuel Scotland’s effort for independence?
“If the threat is so great,” she asked, temper seeping into her voice, “should I remain with you?”
“Aye,” he said, his words laden with regret. “With the men aware you are with me, you are already involved. At least while you travel at my side, I can protect you.”
Protect her? He was all but weaving on his feet. After the strain on him this day, his shoulder had to be near useless from the pain. If the knights had discovered them before they’d safely crossed the stream, how long would he have held his own? An ache built in her throat.
By the grace of Mary, as much as she wanted him to guide her to the nearest port to seek passage to France, he needed the freedom to travel unimpeded more. She ignored the weariness filling her limbs, the residing chill from crossing the frigid water. She could make it onher own. Hadn’t she been doing so until she’d come across him? “Go on without me. I am only slowing you down.”
The corner of his mouth quirked into a weary smile. “You are. And if I was wise, I would leave you with the first person I knew I could trust.”
Her heart ached. “It is not a matter to make light of.”
“Nay, far from it.” He scrubbed his face, the tiredness of his expression wiping away any lingering traces of humor. “From the first, I have found myself torn over what to do about you. “ Desire kindled in his eyes, warming her blood. “As wise as it would be to let you go, I canna.”
At his admission, Marie couldn’t help but embrace the thrill in knowing he wanted her—a woman he believed to be a noble. Not the king’s daughter. She sobered. Intimacy with Colyne would not be a trifling matter. She sighed. For now, she would cherish each moment they shared. “Then let us go.” Marie shot him a teasing glance as she forced her feet to move. “That is, if you are able to travel.”
“Is that the way of it, then?”
“Oui.”Pushing herself, she kept pace as they started up another incline.
“I think I misjudged you,” Colyne said after they’d traveled a distance.
