Page 27 of The Guardian's Witch

He shuddered with a shallow breath. Reassured, she felt a faint but steady beat and sank back on her heels. She observed the deadly gray pallor on his face retreat. His arms twitched as they came to life. His face contorted in a spasm as he choked to clear his lungs. He pushed himself up coughing out the last of the river sludge and sucked in large quantities of air.

Relief surged through her. She rose, retrieved her dress lying in a pool of sunlight, and quickly slipped it on. She calmed the restless warhorse with her gentle touch and whispered words, When she ventured a glance at the knight, she found herself staring into his compelling gray eyes. His gaze was riveted on her face. A fresh spasm of coughing took him, and she turned to leave.

“Wait.” He struggled to get the word out.

She stopped and took a deep breath.

He shook his head. His eyelids slid closed and he fell onto his back. He fell asleep before his head touched the ground.

She stood next to him, laid the horse’s reins in one hand, and brought his other onto his chest. Satisfied, she silently vanished into the forest before he woke and admonished her for being outside the castle—without an escort. A scurry of leaves, seemingly caught in the warm autumn breeze, covered any signs she had been there.

* * *

“Lord Alex!” Robby called from the other side of the clearing and rushed to his lord’s side.

Alex looked up into the worried eyes of his captain. He wiped his hand on his shirt and he was shocked to discover he was wet.It wasn’t a dream.“Aye, I appear to have gone for an unexpected swim.”

“Prime pulled you out.”

Alex gave the man a questioning look.

“You hold his reins. He must have pulled you to shore.”

Alex looked at the reins in his other hand. His mouth dropped open. Impossible. He could still feel her hands on his chest. He could still taste her lips.

“He seems none the worse for his swim,” said Robby examining Prime. He patted the horse soundly on his sleek neck and whirled around to Alex. “I’ve sent Stephen ahead to tell the others we found you. Lord Bryce told us you were at the bridge. When we got to the cliff, the bridge was gone and Prime was standing here. We feared the worst. I should have known better than to worry. The men will be as relieved as I am. Everyone has been scouring the river for you.” Robby gave Alex a hand up and continued. “I don’t think your swim was spontaneous. The men found signs the bridge’s beams were cut.” He gave Alex a hard look. “Those Scots raiders must be at the bottom of this.”

“Robby, let’s not come to any rash conclusions. The only way down from there—” Alex motioned to the damaged bridge, “—is back the way you came. Did you see anyone?”

“Only Lord Bryce and his men.”

He mounted Prime, and glanced at the pool of sunlight. That was where she had stood. He licked his lips and tasted sweet berries. His chest tightened at the thought of her.

In a shimmer of sunlight he saw her clothed only in a wet chemise,every line and curve of her body evident.He shifted uncomfortably,his arousal complete.His eyes swept up her body and rested on the stone charm around her neck.Finally,he looked at her face.He took in a quick breath and gazed into deep green eyes filled with passion.

He shook his head and the image burst and faded. He wheeled Prime through the small clearing past the sunny pool. His eyes fell on a lone berry glistening ripe and ready to burst. “Faith,” he whispered to no one.

“Lord Alex,” called Robby.

Coming out of his reverie, Alex looked at his man. “Robby, show me what the men found.”

“You’re lucky Prime got you to shore.” They left the river’s edge and followed the trail up the cliff. “The rapids are not far and the falls right after. Someone truly watched over you today.” Robby rode on ahead.

“Yes, she certainly did.” He pushed the thought out of his mind and concentrated on what was solid and real as he headed up the path. If his men were correct, and there was no reason to believe otherwise, someone had tampered with the bridge, his bridge. He would think about these haunting visions later.

He arrived at the bridge to see his men along with Bryce and his patrol. “Lord Alex!” someone called out. His men quickly gathered to see him for themselves.

“We feared the worse when we saw the state of things and Prime riderless,” said one of Alex’s soldiers. “We thought you were lost to us. I’m glad to welcome you back.”

“I told you he would be here,” said Stephen. “I was with Robby when we found him on the shore, wet but no worse.”

“I’d never believe anyone could survive that fall,” said one of the Glen Kirk soldiers. There was a hint of suspicion in his voice.

“But our Lord Alex isn’t just ‘anybody,’” Stephen offered, his excitement brimming over.

Alex’s attention was drawn to the forest. Whatever it was had moved on. Alex led Prime down the line. The men cheered. He acknowledged each man heartily. Finally, he raised his hand asking for quiet.

“I’ve taken an unexpected swim.” He ran his hand down his shirt, sluicing off water.

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