Page 13 of Tempting the Highland Devil
Confused by her own feelings and angry that he left her hanging even though he had come close to kissing her, the longer she thought about it, the more marriage seemed like the best solution to this madness.
My braither is right. I need to marry, and I need to do it soon.
Maybe marrying a man who actually wanted her would put an end to her one-sided desire.
7
Arran and Duncan stood in the courtyard three mornings later and watched as Yvaine and Lily trained. Arran groaned when Lily knocked Yvaine’s sword out of her hands the third time in a row.
“She is terrible at this,” he commented and looked to his friend.
Duncan nodded. “It is why ye two must do yer best to teach her. She isnae speakin’ to me as it stands, so I cannae do it…”
“She isnae exactly speakin’ to me either,” he pointed out to Duncan. “Ever since I took yer side three days ago. She walks out of a room when I walk in.”
Yvaine’s silence was actually for the best. Arran told himself that her distance was what he needed to get his head straight. He could not find the will to keep his distance on his own, so it was better that she did.
I nearly kissed her that day,he thought grimly as he crossed his hands across his chest. It would have been disastrous because he was too certain he would have done more than just kiss her.
“We could ask Killian to help, but at least she listens to ye,” Duncan continued and pulled him back from his wayward thoughts. He chuckled at Duncan’s comment because he knew it was not entirely true. Yvaine had a mind of her own, and she acted as she wanted most times.
“Any word from the men scouting the main village for any threats?” Arran asked Duncan as he drew his eyes away from Yvaine to keep himself from watching her.
Duncan shook his head. “There have been nay disturbances. Are ye sure it was nay some stray hunters from the village shootin’ at an animal?”
“Yvaine is hardly an animal, and neither am I. We were the only ones there. They shot at us.” He had not been able to get the incident off his mind.
Each time Arran recalled how she shivered and the wild look of terror in her eyes, he was able to take his mind off wanting her just for a bit.Her safety is priority, not my needs.
The only thing keeping him sane at the moment was the hunt for their attackers. “Perhaps it was just an attack to warn us? Scare us away? But from what?”
Duncan was just as quiet as Arran was for the next few minutes. “My men will find somethin’,” he finally spoke, and just then Lily and Yvaine clashed swords again before Yvaine gave up and tossed hers to the ground.
“She needs to try harder,” Arran said. “I need her to be stronger. Even if she marries, she is safer if she can defend herself.” He sighed and combed his fingers through his hair.
The safest thing to do was to let Lily handle it, but Arran knew he could teach her better. He had taught Lily, too. Without thinking, he left Duncan and headed for both women.
“Lily,” he called and greeted her with a kiss to the back of her hand. Lily swiped sweat off her forehead. “Ye should rest while I continue.”
Lily nodded and smiled at Yvaine. “Good luck,” she said to her and patted her back before heading for the castle.
Yvaine eyed Arran for a long moment. “And what do ye want now?” she asked with a cold bite in her tone.
Arran’s eyes drifted over her body, settled on her eyes briefly, then moved to her lips. “Pick up yer sword,” he ordered as a giddy rush of desire clouded his judgement.
He knew she was resolved to defy him, and his control threatened to snap. Duncan was watching them. He couldn’t let his friend understand what he was thinking.
“Pick up yer sword, Yvaine.”
“I’d rather have Lily train me,” she retorted and turned to walk away from him.
Arran drew his sword swiftly and aimed it at her neck. “Lesson number one, never turn yer back on yer enemy,” he said sternly as she froze in her tracks. “Now pick up that sword and fight me.”
Yvaine finally did as he asked. Her grip on the sword was wrong, so when he lashed at her the first time, the blade tumbled to the ground.
Huffing, she picked it up and lurched at him again. Arran dodged her and slid his sword to her abdomen. “Rules of engagement. If ye attack first, better be prepared to cut. Yer stance is weak; yer grip is too tense. Ye wield a sword like ye would a needle. Ease into it, and let its weight spread through yer limbs. Ye guide the sword, nay the other way around.”
She lowered her hands, and he added, “Watch me.” Arran showed her how to properly hold the sword then he showed her how to thrust it right.
