"My heart pounded when you first came up to me and asked about shoeing Garten. You didn't know me, yet I knew what flower you liked, your relationship with your mother, your love of horseback riding, your fear of your father." He paused and clenched his jaw. "Yet you knew nothing about me, save I was the one who could shoe your horse. As easily as that could have frustrated or caused me despair, I rather found it comforting. You would never have to know about me, about the truth. By remaining silent I was, in truth, protecting you. I'd by far have rather done that," he mumbled slightly causing Arywnn to wonder if he regretted his decision to reveal himself, to take her away.
"Ye regret me?" she whispered with regret evident in her tone.
"No, not at all love!" He reached out and grasped her arms and pulled her tightly into his chest. He smelled of smoke and mint. She inhaled deeply letting the familiar scent calm her heart. After he kissed the top of her head, he continued.
"Love, do you remember the night that Rian was deep in his cups and almost set the gate on fire?"
His grip on her had tightened as he wove his arms around her back and held her close.
Aye, t'was the same night my mither passed. Though I dinnae' ken about the fire till later. Me Da' about killed him. We were all shocked afterward when he was still champion."
"True, but what you didn't know was that I was there that night. I had watched him leave and gallivant across the road to the gate while grasping a torch and swinging it wildly. He was calling out loudly about a pact he had made with the Chattan but was making no sense. I almost ignored him, but then I heard your name, so I followed him."
"My name? Why would he be speakin' of me?"
"You remember what your father said, about being promised to Rian?"
"Aye."
"Well, he wasn't fulfilling his duty and giving your father want he wanted. Your father threatened to give the position and prize to another. Rian sought out your father, fought him, and threatened to kill him if he went back on his word. Your father relented and promised him the position of Tanist, but he had to bring the traitor forth, or frame one. A few days later Rian approached me to fashion a dagger. He said he knew about my, affection, for you and warned me against it. Not long after, he approached you just outside the forge."
"So, my father might not have known it was ye? Then why… I don't understand."
"Aye, he indeed intercepted one of my missives, but he didn't recognize the name or handwriting, so my identity was safe. When I notified my superiors that my identity had been compromised, they suggested I leave. But I couldn't, not when I wasn't sure of your fate."
"They wanted ye tae leave?" Arywnn asked breathless, as her heart pinched at the thought.
"Yes, but I chose to stay. I knew your father wouldn't act on his promise till later so I had time."
Confusion settled in her chest as she thought of her father's prize to the one who rooted out the spy in the clan.
"It was all an elaborate plan for Rian to earn the clan's respect."
"So Rian didn't know it was ye? He just suspected that Colin the smithy was interested in the Laird's daughter?" Her eyes searched his, desperate for affirmation. The last thing she wanted to do was fear that Rian was hot on their trail.
"No, he wasn't aware it was I. He had another man in mind. When he found out he was incorrect, he planned to frame another to salvage his pride. That's why he wanted a dagger made. He didn't want anyone connected to the weapon so that when it was found, it could be used as evidence."
"But ye knew…"
"And I'm sure Rian planned to silence me, and possibly frame me as the co-conspirator. As soon as he asked me about the dagger, I knew time had run out." Colin spoke the last words with acute disgust. He took a deep breath, and regarded her with a gentle gaze. "To get to the question you asked, I agreed to help you because it was one of the only ways I could think of to determine if you would be willing to escape with me without betraying my mission."
"So ye posed tae be two men, when in fact ye were one and the same," she whispered.
"So…'Twas you that rescued me that night from Rian." She shuddered as she thought of what could have happened, what would have happed to her had Colin not rescued her. "Twas you who kissed me and then, 'twas also you that stood there while I made a fool of myself and, asked ye to help me find ye."
"Well when you put that way…" He chuckled.
Arywnn pulled away from his embrace, embarrassed.
"Why didn't ye think ye could trust me? I kissed ye! I never once betrayed ye tae Colin, even though it was ye the whole time. How did I not know?" The full understanding of the situation weighed upon her shoulders. She had been a fool!
"Love, do not be angry with me. Please." His tone was so sincere that Arywnn's frustration melted slightly. He trailed his callused fingers down her arm, and she shivered in response. "I had to be sure love. I had to be sure that you would choose me, but more than that, there was nothing more that I wanted than for you to pick me over the lie."
His hands reached down to grasp her fingers, and he held them tightly.
"At night I would dream of what it would be like for you to know the truth and not care. So many times I wanted to tell you. It was torture having you walk by me, knowing the sweetness of your kiss, the strength of your heart and loyalty, and not pull you into the forge and kiss you senseless, but I knew it wasn't time yet to reveal myself. As time went on and I continued my charade, I knew that if I told you, you wouldn't be able to hide the truth from shining in your eyes. That was a risk I couldn't take, either for your or my sake."
As much as she wanted to hold onto her pride and lick her wounds, she saw the truth of his words. Indeed she wouldn't have been able to keep herself from giving away her heart. She had a hard enough time keeping the truth of her feelings for Colin under concealment around others. Had she known that both Colin and Knight were the same… both her fear and love for him would not have easily been hidden.
"Aye, I understand."
The trees whispering in the wind was the only sound as Colin held her gaze.
"Do you forgive me then, for deceiving you?" He spoke the words as a plea.
"Aye, I do."
He closed the distance between them with a look that was both tender and fierce. Her belly filled with delightful anticipation. His eyes gentled and sparkled as they roved over her face. The wind teased her hair, and she traced her fingers down her face to clear it away. Colin reached up and stopped her hand, and proceeded to caress her face with his fingers before he deliberately lowered his head till he brushed his lips across her own. This kiss was sweet, unhurried, and exquisite in its application. The warmth of his lips seeped into her body, and she hungered for more. With a smile she thought of how she was kissing both Colin and Knight, indeed she had always been kissing them. It seemed odd to be given exactly what she desired. A small smile teased her lips. He broke the seal of their kiss, and regarded her with a questioning gaze.
"Am I amusing you?" he asked. The clean accent washing over her like spring rain.
"Just realizing I'm kissing Colin and Knight at the same time. 'Twas an interesting thought."
"Ah, and which one do you enjoy kissing more? The rogue Knight, or the simple smithy?" he asked as he growled and kissed her passionately, putting such force on her lips that she opened them immediately to the much anticipated teasing of his tongue. He kissed her fiercely, but still with a gentle touch. When he ended the kiss he regarded her, waiting for a response to his question.
"Both, be the wicked Knight or braw smithy. Just be mine." She glanced down at her feet at her bold statement.
"I always have been Arywnn. I always have been yours," he whispered before tipping her chin up so that she once more met his gaze.
"Good."
****
The day passed with quick hours that bled into one another. The tree's shadows began to lengthen as the sun set. After hours of silent glances that spoke far more than words, he pulle
d off the trail, deciding it would be prudent to set up camp for the night. The thought of spending the night alone with Arywnn sent his heart into a pounding rhythm. After all these years of watching her, living for her smile and dreaming of her kiss, he now found himself living that dream. Yet accompanying it came a large responsibility. Not only was he her protector from outside danger, but also he was to protect her from the danger he felt within himself. The resolution to keep her at length tore at his heart. How was he to keep her far away when all he wanted to do was keep her as close as his own skin? As he reached a clearing, he paused and dismounted. Arywnn must have sensed his tense inner debate, for she was standing beside Garten tilting her head and regarding him with a questioning gaze.
"Is all well?"
"Yes, it is. Forgive me I was lost in my own thoughts."
The reigns from his mount were still clenched in his fist, biting into his callused palm. A moment passed before he released the leather straps and patted his animal while feeling Arywnn's gaze at his back. He turned his head to glance over his shoulder, and offered her a wink. The blush that crept over her skin was alluring, and his blood heated in response. The horse nickered softly, breaking the moment.
He tied his horse to a nearby tree and left enough length for the animal to graze on the lush grass. Hoof beats indicated that Arywnn had done the same for Garten. His stomach tensed with hunger and he reached for the leather pack attached to his mount. Bannocks, soft cheese, apples, and a flask of water were secured inside. After searching for flat earth or an accommodating rock, he settled for a dry patch of grass and spread his extra plaid out. In quick order, he laid out food for their evening meal. Arywnn joined him wordlessly.
The night would be chilly, but he would not risk a fire. By now they were almost to Campbell lands, but until they reached the sea they were not safe. How would Arywnn respond when more of his identity was laid bare? All she knew was that he was an English spy sent to gather information on her clan. Nothing more. He would have to tell her everything soon, but not yet. Today she had learned enough and dealt well with the onslaught of the revelation. But to say too much could easily upset that balance. No, he must take care.
The muscles in his shoulder clenched as Arywnn's warm hand came to rest on it. He closed his eyes savoring the freedom. Though the future weighed heavily on his mind, he lost himself in the truth that he was finally known and no longer hiding in the cursed shadows.
"Colin?" He turned to meet her glorious green gaze.
"Yes?"
"Are we tae stay her the night?"
"Yes love, we shall stay here."
His head lowered, and he kissed her softly on the mouth breathing in her fresh scent mingling with forest air. He grinned in response to the soft sigh that escaped her lips as he pulled away from his small kiss.
"I hope you always do that," he whispered the reverent words against her tender lips.
"Do what?" Her eyes were pools of green water that sent ripples through his chest.
"Sigh, even after a wee kiss." He lapsed into the brogue earning a smile from Arywnn.
"Ah, well."
She turned away, clearly embarrassed at her response to such an innocent kiss. Colin found it endearing.
"We'll not have a fire tonight love, it's not worth the risk should someone be searching for us," he explained.
Arywnn nodded. She rose and went to the leather pack secured to Garten's saddle. The very bag he had packed for her with the hope that she'd choose him. The thought had him grinning like a fool.
"Are you finding all that you need?" he asked through his triumphant grin.
"Aye, you did a fine job of it." She cast a sly look over her shoulder. "Ye were quite sure I'd be comin' with ye, weren't ye?"
"Perhaps."
She rolled her eyes before pulling out an extra plaid that bore the Campbell weave.
"Are we tae hide with the Campbells then?" she asked as her dainty fingers caressed the rough weave.
"Possibly. I packed the plaid more for disguising our origin than anything else."
"Wise."
The meal passed quickly, and soon the sun set behind the hills cloaking the forest in darkness. With no fire Colin knew they needed to settle in for the night before all light vanished.
"Love?" Colin voice echoed softly as the last beams of light began to fade away.
"Aye?"
"We best sleep. The morn will come soon, and we must break our fast at the first touches of dawn."
She heard the rustling of the grass as she saw his dark form move toward her. He stopped only a few feet away from her and bent down, patting the ground around him. The muted thud of stones being tossed away and sticks whipping in the wind let her know he was clearing a place on the soft grass for her to lie.
"Hand me your plaid?" His hand reached out, and she placed the thick material in his grasp. With care, he spread out the garment on the ground before standing and taking a step back.
"You shall sleep here, and I will be there keeping watch." He pointed to the other side of the small campsite.
"Ye won't sleep?"
"No. I will keep watch tonight. Perhaps tomorrow if we do not run into trouble I'll find rest, but for now, I must remain alert. Don't worry about me, it isn't the first night I've not had any sleep." His voice held a teasing lilt, no doubt to allay any argument she might attempt. Her mind spun with a realization. His words were true. How often had he stayed up all night with her? In fact, she had thought to ferret out his true identity by searching for a man who slept late within the clan. For the same reason she had refused to believe her Knight and Colin were indeed one. Each day after her meetings with Knight, she would find Colin at the Smithy far too early for a man up all night. She shook her head. Indeed he was not up early. He simply hadn't gone to bed at all!
"You're remembering love?"
"Aye, 'twas the reason I didn't believe you tae be Knight!"
His deep chuckle resonated within the now full darkness.
"You have no idea how difficult it was for me to appear well rested when you would come in to speak with me."
"I can well imagine. After all, did I not rise early as well tae ensure I was not suspected?" she teased back.
"Ah, imagine the sleep we would have gained had I simply told you earlier," he joked, and she heard the rustling of the grass as he sat down. Why was he so far away?
"Aye, tis the truth," she agreed as she stared into the dark. She lowered herself onto the pallet Colin had made for her. Unwinding her own plaid, she settled it around herself. The woolen warmth seeped into her skin, relaxing her. The night was chilly, and she tried to burrow deeper into her coverings.
"Sleep, love. I'll make sure all is well."
"Colin? Thank you."
"For what?"
"Everything."
"No, Arywnn love…"
"Aye?"
"Thank you."
Chapter Thirteen
The night's chill was Colin's only distraction from the soft breathing that came from Arywnn as she slept. The temptation of gathering her up into his arms and burying his face in her amber tresses was nearly over powering. He wanted nothing more than to join her on the warm plaid and hold her frame against his own. There could be no breach in his self-control. To touch her would be his undoing.
The night was quiet. He closed his eyes to listen for any movement that seemed out of place in the sleeping forest. A close stirring caused him to pause mid-breath as he waited for the noise to sound again. Again it resonated, and from where Arywnn slept. Slowly he walked over, careful to not wake her. The palm of his hand cupped her face, and he felt her chilled skin. The plaid was no longer covering her, but was discarded and tangled within her feet.
He reached down her body and tugged on the fabric, but it was stuck. Unable to see in the midnight darkness, he swallowed compulsively and reached out and his hand met the curve of her hip. His body responded immediately by bursting into a wave of heat that smoldered
with desire. A deep fortifying breath later, he lifted his hand and placed it a bit farther down and met the crook of her knee. The delicate skin was exposed. Colin bit back a curse. He cast his gaze heavenward in a quick prayer for strength to resist the temptation at his fingertips. After he lifted his hand from her knee, he felt the plaid around her feet, tucked between them. He needed to move her legs before he would be able to free it. The soft sounds of sleep calmed his rapid heart rate as he lifted one of her slender legs and pulled the plaid from under it. He then untwisted the covering from her other foot and pulled it free.
With a relieved exhale of the breath he wasn't aware he had been holding, he shook the fabric and placed it over her body. With care, he tucked the edges around her frame and couldn't resist placing a tender kiss on her cheek as he rose to leave. But as his lips grazed her cheek, she rolled over. A chilled arm reached out and pulled him closer. He leaned in, unable to resist the fragrance of fresh rain and clover that clung to her skin.
Her grip was strong and pulled him to his knees, but he didn't offer any resistance either. Her other arm reached around his shoulders causing him to lower himself onto the ground beside her. Only for a moment. He thought as her hair tickled his nose and he inhaled its rich scent deeply. After a slight hesitation, he reached over and pulled her still chilled body into his own. He wrapped his arms around her. She fit perfectly into the cove of his frame. The warmth he offered caused her breathing to deepen as her body relaxed further into his own. Lowering his head, he placed a gentle kiss to her neck, and tickled her flesh with his nose before promising himself he'd count to one hundred then leave. By then, surely she'd be warm once again and he could resume his watch. He closed his eyes to listen to the forest as he began to count.
Knight of the Highlander Page 10