Knight of the Highlander (14 page)

"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 pulled 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."

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.

****

Arywnn awoke from a deep slumber. She twisted her ankles and kept her eyes closed for a few more sweet moments of delicious sleep. Warmth covered her, and she wiggled deeper into the heavy coverings. As she did, a strange sensation of confinement overwhelmed her.

She couldn't move.

Her eyes opened, but the dawn had only begun, leaving the world still shrouded in inky darkness. For a moment she didn't remember where she was, but soon it all came flooding back.
Colin
. She released a tense breath and tried to move once more, but found herself firmly pinned under a heavy weight. Arms held her firmly against a warm chest while strong hands covered hers, keeping them warm. One leg was draped over her hip, and her face flushed at the intimacy of the embrace.

Colin's deep breathing let her know that he slept. His breath tickled the side of her neck and heated her flesh. How long had they lain together, sleeping? When had he joined her in the night? Arywnn though back, but couldn't remember anything beyond lying down the evening before. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and savored the warmth and protective embrace of Colin. Her Knight. Her champion. Moments such as these, full of peace and blissful rest, would be few till they found safety. As she thought about the journey, she remembered a question she had forgotten to ask earlier.

Just where was Colin planning to go?

Back to England? Would they sail across the sea? Would she ever see her Highlands again? Though her heart was attached to the place she grew up, it was far more attached to the man holding her so tightly. Indeed she would gladly leave behind all she knew to be with him. To wake up each morning in his embrace, and to find comfort in it at night was truly a dream come true. Whatever the future held, she would face it gladly because of love.

For once she was wanted and cherished.

Colin began to stir, and Arywnn waited for him to fully awaken. His arms tightened around her, and then his movements froze. Immediately he released his tightened grip and slowly began to remove himself. His breathing was measured, careful. His arms gently lifted from hers, and his leg's weight was removed from her hip. Immediately the cold morning air seeped through her skin at the loss of Colin's body heat. She shivered slightly, and Colin paused his movement. Carefully he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled up the plaid over her goose-fleshed skin. His movements were so gentle, surely he still thought her asleep.