Shabib raised his liquid brown gaze to James. His lips pursed, then he nodded. Aye, of course Shabib understood James’s desperate request.
“Very well, James. I will guard her with my life.”
“Thank you, Shabib. As you save her life, ye save mine, aye?”
Shabib’s pursed lips pressed into a tight smile. Aye, the man did know.
Robert approached the campfire near his tent, and James tilted his head at the King.
“I have to attend the Bruce,” he told Shabib. “I will bring Tosia to her horse, then ye see her safely back to Auchinleck.”
Shabib bowed low as James spun on his heel to Tosia who stood by her horse with Thomas. James caressed her cheek with a calloused finger.
“Thank ye, wife. I dinna relish that ye came out here and put your life in danger, but your efforts may have saved the king.”
“And ye,” she whispered as she laid her hand on his chest. The thrum of his heart under her hand appeared to soothe her. “’Twould save ye.”
He dipped his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Yet, Shabib might have relayed your message.”
“I could no’ risk it.”
“And I’d no’ riskyourlife!” James’s thundering voice rose. Instead of shirking away, she jutted her chin at him.
“And why no’? ‘Tis acceptable for ye to vow to lay down your life for mine. Should I no’ do the same as your wife? Is the value of your life no less than mine? My heart, my life, would be devastated if your life was forfeit.”
James, for once, had no words. He leaned into her, capturing her lips with his. His arms wrapped around her waist and crushed her to him, plunging his tongue deep between her lips. He poured all his desire, all his love for this woman into that kiss, and hoped it was enough to send her back to Auchinleck.
Or, if their chanced tactics with the English failed, enough for the rest of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Two: A New Plan
James joined Robertthe Bruce and the Highlanders gathered in front of the king’s tent.
“We have an idea, James,” the Bruce intoned, and James inclined his head, ready to listen. “MacCollough’s man, Torin, has pointed out that there are two means by which the second contingent might arrive.”
The giant Torin held a stick in his immense hand and drew in the dirt with it.
