Page 30 of Scot of Desire
“Bran, there is something ye need tae hear too.” Tad took his shoulder. For one second, Ilyssa thought Tad knew and he was about to warn Bran off, then he offered a sad sort of smile. “Cillian has asked tae see us both. He says he is looking for good sparring partners. He wants us.”
Bran’s eyebrows shot up as Ilyssa gripped the edge of the bathtub until her knuckles turned white with the strength of her panicked grasp.
Why them? Why pick them!?
“Come, I need a good match. Will ye two deny me?” Cillian was marching toward them across the training lawn of the soldiers, wielding his broadsword like it was a light foil.
Bran looked uneasily at Tad, only to see that Tad was showing no fear at all. Tad, the consummate fighter, had enough experience to dwarf any man’s ability. Though Bran had his own experience, he was the politician of his brothers, not a fighter.
I would give anything tae have Evander’s skills now.
Bran looked about the training lawn. Along one side of the grass, close to the barracks, some of the soldiers had gathered to watch the son of their laird fight. Bran couldn’t help feeling like it was a setup.
Cillian was out to impress his men and embarrass both Tad and Bran.
“This isnae a good idea,” Bran hissed so quietly that only Tad could hear him.
“We cannae refuse without being humiliated and called cowards. Ye ken that.” Tad pulled out his own sword, using the cover of the sound to continue to whisper to Bran. “He is offering tae spar us fer practice.”
“And ye really think that is the point of all of this?” Bran nodded to where the other soldiers were.
“Well, I didnae say that.” Tad agreed with a nod.
They both turned back to face Cillian as the man removed his shirt. One of the maids who had come to join the soldiers nowwhistled, prompting some of the men to laugh. Cillian waved his hand and laughed with them.
“Is it that warm?” Tad asked, nodding at the frost-covered trees nearby.
“I dinnae want tae sully me shirt with sweat.” Cillian shrugged by way of explanation. “Come, Bran, ye first.” He pointed his sword at Bran. “Spar with me.”
Bran thought of refusing as images raced through his mind. He saw himself with Ilyssa again, thought of the way that minutes ago he had been tasting her, living out a fantasy that had consumed his mind the last few days. That image was juxtaposed against the memory of Cillian racing after her on his horse.
Bran raised his sword and turned to face Cillian, just as Tad removed his jerkin and waistcoat for him, leaving him in his shirt.
“Dae me a favor,” Tad whispered in his ear. “Dinnae die.”
“That’s quite a favor. I thought ye said this was just sparring?”
Tad raised his eyebrows.
“On yer guard.” Tad jumped back as Bran turned to face his opponent.
Already, Cillian was running toward him with his sword outstretched.
CHAPTER TEN
“Catreena? Where are ye?” Ilyssa whispered into the chilly air. Her breath clouded in front of her as she hastened between the yew bushes. She’d heard a maid say that Catreena was out in these gardens, though Ilyssa’s long search was proving fruitless.
She heard a bellow erupt across the garden, then men’s cheers. Swords clattered together and Ilyssa halted.
It cannae be…
She shot off in a different direction between the yew bushes, heading out of the garden and toward the open training lawn. She saw the soldiers first, gathered together with some of the maids. They were watching a battle, cheering on their master, Cillian, in his battle, whooping every time that he made an advance and wincing whenever he was in danger of being hurt.
Ilyssa quickly realized this had to be the sparring match that Tad mentioned. She looked toward the battle, seeing Cillian dripping with sweat despite the cold. He must have been battling for some time, judging by how tired he looked. He mopped his forehead on his bare arm and turned to face his opponent again.
“Come on, Bran,” Tad bellowed from his place a few steps away from them. He was watching with his arms folded, a familiar crease in his brow. That crease was only ever there when he was truly worried.
Ilyssa’s eyes shot to Bran, just as Cillian advanced toward him and swung upward with his blade. It cut cleanly through Bran’s shirt, making Ilyssa flinch in horror.
