Page 40 of Highland Storm

Keane watched her go, knowing instinctively where she was off to. He didn’t like it overmuch, though he couldn’t follow her every time she left to do the necessary and he couldn’t prevent her from going. All he cared about was that no one followed her down to the burn, and so he resigned himself to wait for her return, watching his men come and go.

Lianae didn’t strike him as a liar, but she wasn’t telling the truth—at least not all of it. There was far more to her story than what she would allow. But then he had already surmised as much, long before now. The question was: What was she hiding that was more injurious than stolen charm stones—which, by the by, she’d left behind, albeit reluctantly?

He had half a day to discover what it was, for Keppenach was no more than a half-day’s ride. In fact, they might have made it there tonight without the stop, except that he hadn’t intended to go there at all. But now, with or without him, these men would return to Keppenach to report to the king, and if Keane did not arrive along with them, he would find himself in David’s ill graces… or worse.

Contemplating the lass’s secrets, he waited for Lianae to re-emerge from the thicket, resting easier when he spied her pale hair beneath the moonlight, and then he gathered up the materials for his fletching and put them all away. He watched her climb into his bed, and something deep in his gut thrilled at the sight. Once she was abed, he checked on his men one more time before making his own way to his pallet and climbing within. Lianae was already asleep. Lying beside her, he dared to pull her into his arms, embracing her protectively. “Who are ye, maid of Moray?” he whispered at her back.

She didn’t answer, and Keane unexpectedly found his lips pressed against the back of her head. He gave her a chaste kiss, but her only response was her smooth, even breath.

Chapter

Fourteen

His question made Lianae’s heart ache.

But not more than his kiss.

Every time he offered his lips, it stirred some new part of her; and this time, it was her heart. He reached out, drawing Lianae firmly against his chest and then lowered his arm so that it encircled her waist and she held her breath, afraid that he might discover she was wide awake. For a long, long moment, her heart refused to calm, and Lianae feared the pounding would betray her. After a moment, he buried his face into the back of her hair. Inhaling deeply of her scent, he then exhaled with a throaty sigh that made goose bumps arise upon her flesh. It was a lover’s embrace—unlike anything Lianae had ever known.

No man had ever held her so tenderly.

She had the most overwhelming desire to turn in his arms, to kiss him once more... But fear kept her still. After another moment, she heard Keane’s smooth easy breathing, and knew he slept.

Ach, it was time to go!

Whatever had she been thinking when she’d come along? Men like Keane had little to give, and she was in no position to take. She was a woman without a home, nor even a country, and he was a king’s sworn man.

He is your enemy, she tried to convince herself, but it didn’t’ feel right. And yet, her plan to seduce him seemed suddenly all the more preposterous. Soon they would depart for Keppenach, and Lianae could not join them for Keppenach was the last place she should go—especially with the king in residence. Never in her life had she felt so confused.

Stay, go, she was lost either way she turned.

And what did she even know of Keane, in truth?

He was more a mystery than she. He wore the king’s livery, yet she sensed he had no interest in the king’s politiks. He tested her at every turn, and then he showed her kindness. He called her a liar with his tone and then he kissed her sweetly upon the head. Who was this man who dressed himself in wolves’ clothing, but appeared to be as gentle as a sheep?

Shivering, she burrowed deeper beneath the covers, acknowledging that there was little about his looks that reminded her of soft wooly sheep. For all she knew, he might be her executioner! Now, before it was too late, she must find a way to leave…

Tonight.

Acutely aware of the comings and goings of the men—all suffering the same malady—Lianae tossed and turned, waiting for her chance to steal away. She was not ill as they were, and she had no idea what had befallen them, but she had used their excuse to steal away time and again, some part of her instinct urging her to get away.

Now, more than ever, she must find her brothers.

At first light, Keane immediately came aware of two things: One, it was snowing yet again, and two, Lianae was gone. At first, he supposed she must have gone down to the burn, as she had once or twice during the night.

He’d slept heavily—far more so than he had expected to and lifted his head, raking a hand through the back of his scalp, squinting against the rude mist. There was no wind this morning, but the snow was falling so thickly that it was difficult to see aught past his own pallet. Were it not for the ash bough overhead, he might have been covered in snow. His heavy cloak lay atop the blankets, abandoned.

Accustomed to winters in the Mounth, Keane was no stranger to sleeping in the snow. Back in the vale, at least once every sennight—spring, summer, fall and winter—he’d taken a watch on the hill. They all did so, and even Aidan would now and again, although his brother endured them far less often now that he had Lìli in his bed.

Rising from the pallet and making his rounds, he nudged a few of his men awake while waiting for Lianae to return, ready to be on their way. And then he realized the king’s messengers were gone as well—not a one remained. Keane took another look about.

Neither were Cameron or Murdoch in their beds.

How long since Lianae had been gone?

His heart clenching with sudden fear, he bolted toward the burn.

For his cousin Broc’s sake, Cameron had intended to take Lianae to David himself.