Page 61 of Highland Slayer
With that, he kissed her hand tenderly, causing her to gasp as if he’d stung her. He looked at her with concern only to see utter, complete awe in her expression. That was all he needed to pull her to him again and slant his mouth over hers, gently.
Oh so gently.
Until she threw her arms around his neck and nearly strangled him.
“Estevan!”
A shout drove them apart quicker than the blink of an eye. Suddenly, they were standing a few feet away from one another, breathless, startled. Estevan’s head was swimming with the taste and feel of her, but he quickly regained his wits. The shout had come from the wall, which was barely in view as the sun rose.
“What it is it?” he called.
It was Titan. “The mist has lifted enough that we can see a massive party approaching,” he said. “You’d better come.”
Estevan was on the wall in a split second.
*
“Whatisthisplace?” Zora asked. Wrapped up in a heavy cloak that her mother made her wear, she was riding alongside her brother on a sturdy palfrey. “It looks like a place where people go tae die.”
Kaladin snorted at his sister as the walls of St. Margaret’s finally came into view in the distance. Shrouded by remnants of fog, it did indeed look dark and gloomy.
“It’s an abbey of fighting women,” he told her. “I’ve told ye they are called theNa Ban-Teamplairean.The Lady Templars.”
Zora’s expression was full of distaste as she looked at the gatehouse looming at the end of the road. “Fighting nuns,” she muttered. “That’snotwhat God intended.”
Kaladin continued to snort. “How do ye know?” he said. “They’re much feared, lass. They’re good at what they know. If I were ye, I’d not insult them. Ye might be on the wrong end of a beating.”
Zora shrugged and turned her nose up at him. Grinning, he turned to Caelus, who was riding slightly ahead of them, on point. “Cae,” he said, “I’m going back tae speak tae Papa. Watch the bairn over here and make sure she doesn’t get intae any trouble.”
Caelus growled. “I was forced tae watch over her yesterday,” he said. “It’s yer turn.”
“It’s no one’s turn!” Zora said angrily. “I dunna need watching over. Focus on yer own hides and leave me alone.”
“Ungrateful wench,” Caelus rumbled. “I hope yer horse runs off with ye still on it.”
“I hope it does also!”
“This is why no one likes ye, Zora.”
“Mama!” Zora suddenly reined her horse back for the carriage where her parents were. “Mama, tell Caelus tae stop being so nasty!”
She was shouting all the way down the column, causing the men in Lares’ army to start laughing. But that was usual with Zora, who was brave in her bullying until someone gave it to her in return. Then she ran to her mother to punish the offenders. Being the youngest of ten children meant she should have had a thicker skin than most, but she didn’t.
And her brothers knew it.
“Zora?” Caelus called after her. “Dunna go away angry. I was only jesting with ye.”
But Zora ignored him. She was back at the carriage now, complaining to her mother, who told her to stop her moaning and either get in the carriage or go back to the front with Caelus. Kaladin, who had been in conversation with his parents in the carriage, was pushed aside when Zora interrupted. He stuck his tongue out at her when she didn’t get the answer she wanted from her mother. Angrily, she headed back toward the front of the column, but not before she made a detour to a nearby tree and yanked a switch off it.
“Mae,” Kaladin said casually, “Zora has a stick with her. If she strikes Caelus, ye know he’ll spank her with it.”
Mabel sighed heavily. “I cannot always be there to discipline her,” she said. “Tell Caelus that he may spank her if she strikes him, but leave no marks.”
Kaladin had to lower his head, laughing, as his father chimed in. “Kal, tell Caelus he’snottae lift a finger tae her,” he said. “Tell him now.”
Kaladin tried to wipe the smile off his face. “In a moment,” he said. “We must discuss our arrival. I’m not entirely sure the mother abbess will allow all of these men intae her bailey, soye must be prepared tae negotiate with her. She’s a stubborn women and she doesn’t like men.”
“I will speak to her,” Mabel said. “It may be better coming from me.”
