Page 10 of Treasures of Skye

Helene darted around him. He whirled, but she didn't look back, and kept going. A group of women passed. Helena turned her head aside and prayed no one tried to stop her. When she reached the door, her heart pounded so fiercely she was certain everyone could hear. She pushed out the door and into the light of the setting sun.

Close, she was so close. All she had to do now was get outside the gates and there would be nothing to stop her. Thankfully, the courtyard teemed with people. Helena began a brisk pace toward the gate. Her heart leapt with joy when she spotted a group of elderly women. Helena fell in with them and walked through the gates and down the road toward the village. As they neared the tree line, she fell behind. When the path twisted around a rocky slope, she darted into the woods. The hardened snow crunched under her boots as she weaved through the thick cluster of pines and oaks. Bitter wind whipped across her face, yet Helena felt years of burden lift off her shoulders. This was her final theft. With a new life ahead, she could atone for her sins.

On foot, it would have taken days to reach her destination. But Valor would get her there in a day. Guilt stabbed. Kaden trusted her to return the animal. Odd, he was the only man who had shown her any true concern. She would ensure the return of Valor and keep Kaden in her prayers for a long and happy life.

Thick grey clouds stuttered across the sky. Helena glanced overhead. Before nightfall, she would need to locate shelter. She reached the spot where she had tied the horse and stopped short. He was gone. Was this the right place? She turned in a tight circle. Yes, she remembered the thick branched tree and the cluster of stones a few inches away. His reins must have come loose and he’d run off.

Her heart sank. Without him, she would be out, once again, after dark. She forced calm and studied the tracks that headed in the direction they had come—toward his home. Perhaps Valor hadn’t been gone long. Might she catch him? Helena hurried forward as quickly as the snow allowed. She reached the road and had walked half an hour when the thud of horse’s hooves sounded up ahead. A rider, dressed in heavy furs, came into view. Her heart pounded. The rider rode Valor, she was sure of it. Anger twisted through her. Someone had stolen her horse. How could she possibly take the animal back? She was no match for a man.

The rider neared. Covered in furs, he looked like a frost giant perched atop Valor’s back. He slowed. Her mind churned. Even if they stopped and he dismounted, she couldn’t mount Valor quickly enough to get away. Might she somehow trick the man, make him leave the animal?

To her surprise, the man brought the horse to a stop in front of her. “Helena?” He threw back his hood.

Helena startled at the familiar sea-green eyes that stared down at her.

“Kaden, what are ye doing here?”

“I found your satchel.” He nodded to his saddle and she caught sight of her satchel. “I found Valor on the trail and feared ye had encountered trouble.” His gaze intensified. “What are ye doing on MacLeod land?”

“Please, Kaden, go home.”

He gave a slow shake of his head. “What kind of a man would I be if I left ye alone?”

“The kind who can offer a woman the dignity she deserves.”

“Lass, I am no’ leaving ye. And you didnae answer my question. Why did you go to Dunvegan? I see your tracks come from that direction. The truth now. Are ye in some kind of trouble? Did ye go there for help?”

“There is a wedding celebration,” she said. “Laird MacLeod married.”

“Caeleb married?” he blurted.

Helena blinked. “You know him?”

Kaden looked past her at the castle. “A long time ago.” He looked back at her and

extended a hand. “Come, I will take you where ye need to go.”

She shook her head and started to reply, but he cut her off.

“It will be dark soon. You nearly died two days ago. Do ye wish to tempt fate again?”

She hesitated.

He lifted a brow and motioned with his fingers for her to come closer. She stood unmoving and something flickered in his eyes that made her think he might throw her over the saddle. With a sigh, she took two steps forward, then placed her hand in his. He grasped her hand and swung her onto the horse behind him.

* * *

Even through his thick furs, when Helena wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his back, Kaden could feel her warmth—and the contact sent an ache to his groin. He nudged Valor’s ribs. The horse jolted into a trot. Helena’s hold tightened. A shiver crawled up his spine.

She had clearly been to the castle—she said for the wedding celebration.

His gut clenched. Caeleb had married. Kaden envisioned the great hall overflowing with well-wishers. Liam, his second cousin, would be there. Alec, his childhood friend. Grant, Hewie, John. The list went on. Sarah, Hewie’s wife. His cousin Fiona. Would even one of them miss him? Better he shouldn't ask such a question. The only question that mattered was, had Helena accomplished her theft? Where had she been headed when he’d found her? He gave a silent laugh. How was he to find the answers to his questions? She was no more forthcoming than he was.

The wind whipped and he wondered if he should put Helena on his lap. They would ride well into the night to reach home. Would she protest if he held her in his arms? He had to admit, he liked the way she hugged him. Might she hug him just as close if he—

Valor faltered. He neighed and tossed his head. Kaden yanked the reins, but the horse pranced to the side.

“What has gotten in to ye, ol’ boy?” Kaden muttered.