"Not if I get to him first."
***
Late that night, Neacal turned over in bed and stared into the darkness. Thousands of thoughts and images chased through his head. Some good, like thoughts of Anna, and some bad, like the upcoming battle he would wage with Blackburn MacCromar. He did not fear the man or his garrison. He simply wanted to stop him from his evil rampage. He had already hurt and killed too many people.
Anna was Neacal's angel, and he was never letting her go. He would prove to her he would be a protective husband, and prove to the clan he would be a strong chief.
'Twas useless to try to sleep. He arose and added peat to the fire. Dunn awoke enough to peek at him once, then his eyelids drifted shut again. Neacal envied the dog his peaceful slumber.
The problem was Neacal needed Anna beside him. She helped him sleep like nothing else on earth. How terrible would it be if he went to find her and secretly brought her to his chamber? He knew which room she was using, for he'd visited her there a few days ago. Everyone else was abed. No one would see him. Excitement surging through him, he quickly belted his plaid about his waist over his long-tailed shirt.
Carrying a candle, he opened the door and was thankful to find Leith asleep, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. Smirking, Neacal closed his door back, stepped over the burly bodyguard and proceeded silently down the corridor.
Hearing footsteps further along, he paused. All became still and he saw no one. When he took another step, someone ran away, down the stairs. He caught only a blur of movement. Who the devil was that and why were they fleeing? More traitors? Someone slipping toward his chamber to assassinate him? Although some of the traitors were in the dungeon, no doubt several in the clan still opposed him.
Taking out his dirk, Neacal followed quietly down the steps to the bottom, but whoever it was had vanished. All was quiet and dark beyond the glow of his candle. After listening for several minutes, he climbed the steps again.
Up two more flights and he reached the room Anna shared with the other female singer. A loud snore came from behind the door. Not Anna… he hoped. Nay, she hadn't snored during the time they'd spent together. When he remembered those amazing nights, excitement raced through him. He tapped as lightly as possible on the door.
While he waited, he glanced back to make sure the mystery person hadn't followed him.
A moment later, the door opened a crack and Anna peered out at him. He held the candle so she could see who he was.
"What are you doing here?" she breathed.
"I had to see you. Come with me," he whispered. "Put on yourarisaidfirst."
She nodded, returned to the room for a moment then came back wearing the thick plaid belted around her waist.
Harriet's snores continued.
After Anna exited, he closed the door. "How do you sleep with so much noise?"
"I've grown used to it." A smile was evident in her voice.
He took her hand, helped her descend the stairs and led her to his chamber. They stepped over the sleeping guard, entered and shut the door. Dunn merely lifted his head for a second, then turned to his side, and closed his eyes.
"Did you get any sleep?" He quietly barred the door.
"Aye. A few hours," she said.
"Good." He took in her sensual, bedraggled appearance in the dim glow of the candle and firelight. "I hope you can help me sleep."
"How? Are you in pain?" She pulled his hands into hers, her concerned gaze searching his face. "I didn't bring the salve."
He kissed the knuckles of each of her hands. "Nay. I just want to hold you."
"Oh." She grinned. "Very well. That will be most pleasant."
He savored her smile for a long moment, enjoying how it made him feel, as if he were lazing about in the warm summer sunshine, so soothing and comforting. He could not wait until she was his wife, so they wouldn't have to slip along dark corridors to be together. 'Twas not himself he was concerned about, but how the clan would perceive her.
"No one must ken you're sleeping here," he said.
"They won't hear it from me."
"I don't like for you to sleep in the room with Harriet. You're a lady. I must see that you have better lodgings."
"Nay. I want no special treatment," she rushed to say. "And I don't wish anyone else to know my status."
