Page 16 of Highland Guard
Margarite was about to go after him again when they heard a muffled shout in the distance. She seemed to come to her senses and at once sat up, trying to pull her blouse together. “It must be Thamas.”
“Thamas?” Kieran asked.
“Aye, my betrothed. I must go.” Then she was on her feet, straightening her clothes and racing to her cottage.
“You have a betrothed?” he asked incredulously.
“Aye, dinnae mention this to anyone, please,” she yelled back, then was gone.
Kieran wanted to roar to the heavens with frustration. Instead, he picked himself up and dusted himself off, wondering what the hell had just happened. He scowled and began limping away. When he reached a tree a good distance from the cottage, he stopped to prop up his sword against it so he could re-attach his clothing.
It was then he heard a soft feminine chuckle from above.
Kieran whipped his head up and sitting in the tree above him was none other than Naomi. She was clutching her belly with mirth and trying to muffle the sound of her laughter with a hand over her mouth.
He glowered. “What the bloody hell are you doing up there? Get down before you break your neck.”
Naomi grinned and gracefully jumped down and landed sure footed beside him. Instantly, Kieran felt her presence like a soothing balm. Except she was smirking at him.
“MacKenzie,” she said.
“Wench,” he replied.
“I believe I just saved you from being ravished by your mistress.”
He grumbled. “She is not my mistress. She’s just some daft woman with little to no sense at all.”
“Well, from what I saw, which was quite disturbing, it would seem you need a guardsman to fight off the wenches.”
Kieran glared at her as he tightened the belt about his plaid. “I dinnae need a guardsman, and I am highly skilled in dealing with stubborn lasses. Besides, what are you doing here? Tis not safe to be out on your own.”
“Och but Kieran, I love you and I could not stay away. I’m yours for the taking.” Naomi spread her arms out wide, mimicking Margarite’s voice, and making loud kissing noises into the air.
Kieran growled. “Och, that’s hilarious, lass. Now, what are you doing here?”
“Judging by your tone, you do not sound happy to see me.”
He just grunted. They stood in silence for a moment before Naomi replied, “I have a message from the abbey for Yesenda and I was just making my way to the Keep. So, I’ll be off then.” Naomi made to step away when Kieran clasped her arm and pulled her back. This time, he was staring down at her with intense, angry eyes.
“Tell me you did not travel all the way from the abbey alone.”
“All right, I did not travel all the way from the abbey alone,” Naomi replied, mimicking his deep voice and brogue as she did.
Naomi watched his eyes flicker for a moment with amusement before he masked it and glowered once more. “Just as I thought. You would have to be the most reckless lass to ever roam the Highlands.”
Kieran noticed Naomi looked slightly piqued. “I am not reckless, MacKenzie. I can take care of myself. Now, if you’ll stop mauling me, I shall go see Yesenda,” she snapped back and yanked her arm out of his grip. Then started walking toward the Keep.
Naomi got about ten feet, then found herself midair and hefted over Kieran’s shoulder. “Not without me, you won’t.”
Moments later and for the second time that day, Kieran found himself flat on his back on the ground with a woman straddling him. Except this time, she had the tip of a quarterstaff aimed at his chest.
“How the devil did you do that?” he growled. Naomi carried out a maneuver he’d never seen before. She’d flipped over his shoulder, grabbed his ankle and pulled upwards, forcing him to fall straight onto his back.
“Tsk tsk, MacKenzie, a woman never tells.” Then she was up and sprinting for the keep.
“Come back here!” Kieran roared as he rolled to his feet, then took off in hot pursuit. He heard her reply in the distance. “Make me.”
For some inexplicable reason, Kieran felt exhilarated by the challenge and gave chase. If there was one thing Kieran was known for, it was his speed on the battlefield. Kieran leaned into his strength and sprinted after his prize. She was fast. He would give her that, but not fast enough to outrun him.
