Page 11 of Treasures of Skye

Valor unexpectedly reared. Helena cried out. Kaden leaned forward in an effort to force Valor’s front legs back onto the ground. Helena slipped. Kaden grabbed for her hand, but she slid off Valor’s croup and hit the round. Valor’s front hooves crashed back to the wet ground and Kaden yanked hard on the reins, then leapt from the saddle and dropped to one knee at Helena’s side.

“Are ye hurt, lass?”

“Only my pride.” She rubbed her rump.

Kaden glanced at the horse. “I dinnae know what got into him. I’ve never seen him act that way.”

He rose then pulled her to her feet. She cried out and started to fall. Kaden caught her to him.

“What happened?” he demanded.

“My ankle. I must have landed harder than I thought.”

Kaden swung her into his arms and she clasped his neck. “We are no’ too far from Gregor’s Inn along Loch Naveen,” he said. “He’s an old friend.” An old friend who Kaden hadn’t seen in over two years. “‘Tis getting late. We will stop there for the night and tend to your ankle.”

Her dress, he realized was wet. When she fell, her cloak hadn’t protected her. She would be chilled to the bone in no time. Another reason to stop at the inn. She needed to get out of those clothes and into a hot bath. She hesitated, and he hid a smile. What was she going to do, limp to wherever she was going?

“Loch Naveen is north of here,” she said tentatively.

“Aye. This road will lead us directly to the inn.”

“But if we go through the woods, we can make it there faster,” she said.

“‘Tis best to stay on the high road,” he said.

She frowned, and his gaze caught on her pretty mouth. “Through the woods is the fastest path to Loch Naveen and the most direct route,” she said.

“The fastest path doesnae mean it is the right one.”

“Why no’?”

Kaden whistled and Valor trotted over to them. Kaden hugged her close and stepped into the saddle. “Are ye always this stubborn?” He started the horse down the road.

“Why will you not go through the woods?” she demanded.

“Because I have no desire to fight off brigands while I hold you in my lap.”