She thought again about the bird call and understood instinctively that it had been a signal meant for Cormac.His men were close.She was almost certain of it.Which meant he had not wandered into this situation alone and unplanned.
Cormac the Shadow was every bit as lethal and cunning as the mercenaries holding them captive.
The thought did not frighten her as much as it perhaps should have.
She got to her feet, tidied herself as best she could, and went back.
***
CORMAC HEARD HER COMINGback through the trees and felt the tightness in his chest ease.
He had stood at the east corner of the bothy with his eyes on the treeline and tried not to think too carefully about his situation.He was on a mission for the king.He had gained entry to this camp against considerable odds and had a name – Drunstan – and an unknown patron still to be uncovered.He would not be here long.A day at most before he had what he needed, signalled Seumas, and brought them all to justice.
Lady Fenella was the only complication.The longer he remained in her company, the more he recognized the danger she posed to his concentration.Everything about her called to him in some way he could not account for.But she was a thane's daughter.He had no right to dwell on how soft her cheek had felt beneath his touch, or how entirely natural it had seemed when she gripped his plaid in the woods and pressed close.And he had certainly no right to feel the fury he felt at the thought of any man trying to take her from him.
He was still grappling with that when she emerged from the trees.
***
CORMAC TOOK HIS TURNto see to his needs and cool himself at the stream while Una waited nearby with her back to the water.
He was quick – cold water to scrub the dirt and dust off his skin and dry with a kerchief.He stood for a moment in the chill air, listening to the camp and the surrounding forest.He could hear the two guards stationed close by, and from deeper in the trees, Seumas sent a brief signal: a glint of glass catching the last of the afternoon sun.
Cormac exhaled and turned back.His men were close and ready at his command.
He clasped her hand and walked her back to the bothy.
Once inside, he turned his back so she could change into the plain dark gown from the chest.
Una folded her ruined sage green dress and tattered arisaidh on the stool, then worked the tangles from her hair with her fingers and plaited it into a single long braid.
"Ye can turn around now," she said.
He did, and froze.
Una glanced down at herself with a slight frown."It was the only clean gown in the chest.My garments are torn."
"Aye," Cormac said, shifting slightly and clearing his throat."Ye look bonnie, lass."
Una blushed.They stood staring at one another.
The moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.Drunstan appeared at the threshold.
"Lady Fenella, ye must be hungry.My men have prepared a light repast.Both of ye, join us by the fire.There is much to discuss."
Cormac cursed the interruption inwardly.He could not deny it – he found her appealing.More so in the simple gown, which was a fraction too small and did her figure no disservice.She was a natural beauty, needing no court refinement.Intelligent dark eyes, thick hair in a long braid, a face that required no adornment.
She appealed to him in ways that were becoming inconvenient.He was forming thoughts entirely unsuitable for his current circumstances.He wondered what it would be like to clasp her long braid in his hand as he pounded into her from behind.He stopped himself before that thought progressed further.
Perhaps Drunstan's interruption was a fortunate thing after all.
He had to remember who she was.Lady Fenella was a thane's daughter.Women of rank lived in a different world, and men like her father decided who was and was not worthy of their daughters.There was no conceivable path by which Thane Ruadhán would permit his daughter to wed the Shadow.And even setting that aside, Cormac had always found noblewomen more trouble than they were worth.
If only she were simply a woman with no title and no fortune attached.He suspected she would suit him rather well.But that was not the case, and he needed to finish his mission and return her safely to her world.
He glanced at her once more, despite himself.Then gave himself a sharp mental kick for the indulgence.
Cormac crossed to her, took her hand, and held it.
