Page 55 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“There are men who ride a distance ahead and behind,” he said. “Not close, nor obvious. They stay in the woods and the shadows. No one will surprise us.”

It should have comforted her. Instead, it made her all the more aware of how dangerous this journey could become and just how vigilant he was in keeping her safe. He had not let her stray far from him and she had done her best not to. It continued to amaze her how concerned he remained for her safety. He had never been that way with her.

Esme let her gaze drift ahead, the path winding like a ribbon through the bleak landscape. She couldn’t say why, but something about this journey, this search, felt like the start of a reveal of things kept secret far too long.

“Stay close,” Torrance said.

Her husband had reminded her of that countless times since they had begun their journey. That he intended to protect her was obvious and oddly enough, it made her feel safer.

It wasn’t long before they found a clearing tucked in the forest and set up camp. Esme couldn’t be more relieved after a day of riding endlessly with barely an occasional respite.

The campsite fires crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. Night had settled deep around them, the sky a dark veil studded with stars. The small camp was quiet, but not unguarded. The men moved with the practiced ease of warriors who knew peace was often a moment’s illusion. Swords remained close and eyes kept watch on the trees beyond the firelight.

Esme sat on the thick blankets that had been laid out for her and Torrance, the fire warming her face as the cold night pressed in around them. She found comfort in the quiet, in the muted sounds of horses shifting, leather creaking, the low murmur of warriors sharing brief words before sleep.

Torrance joined her without a word, sitting beside her on the blankets. The firelight danced over the hard angles of his face, and she let her gaze linger there. Though she told herself she was being foolish, hope continued to let her be a fool and think Torrance was anyone other than her husband. She couldn’t find anything different in his face and who besides him had such bold green eyes?

Ryland.

His and Torrance’s eye color were identical, but how did that help her? The rumor could be true. Torrance and Ryland could be half-brothers. And it would make it that much easier for Ryland to assume Torrance’s identity.

Miracle.

She was hoping for a miracle.

“Are you still… uncomfortable?” he asked quietly.

She smiled softly. “The cold that seeps through the blanket eases it.”

“You should not be riding?—”

“It is not that bad. A minor irritation, that’s all,” she assured him surprised again that he showed concern. Torrance certainly wouldn’t care. He would tell her it was a woman’s lot in life, and she should bear it. So, her suspicions continued to nag at her. Who truly sat beside her?

Before he could say more, she asked, “You said you expect to uncover truths on this journey. What else do you expect?”

He turned his head toward her. “Secrets. And secrets rarely come without a price.”

She held her hands out to the fire. “Hopefully, not too high of a price.”

Torrance reached out and took her hands in between his two.

She caught the gasp that rose up in her throat before it could escape, the reaction of the friction of his warmth against her cold startling her. It settled a warmth low in her belly that startled her even more. Why had her husband suddenly become appealing to her? It continued to frighten, delight, and confuse her, and she had no idea what to do about it.

“We need to sleep. We leave early,” Torrance said, releasing her hands. “I small, insignificant clan, Clan Stott, will provide shelter for us tomorrow night. So, you need only suffer the cold ground tonight.”

She spoke without thinking. “You will keep me warm enough.”

He leaned his head close to hers. “You like my warmth, wife?”

She would not deny the truth. “I have come to favor it.”

She spotted the shift in his eyes and knew he would kiss her, and she could not believe that she welcomed it.

He leaned closer to steal a kiss, a safe one since it could go no further but a kiss here in the camp, when suddenly a sound tore through the night. The roar was so loud, so inhuman, that Torrance shot up on his feet, dragging his wife along with him.

Esme planted herself against his side, her heart slamming against her chest in fear.

Torrance had his sword in hand, his warriors following suit, their hands going to their swords without hesitation once on their feet.

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