“You shouldna have served on guard duty. You should have been abed in the barracks.”
“I’m well-rested now.” He didn’t want her to tell Drustan what had happened.
Blair scoffed as she covered up Coinneach’s wound and his birthmark again, though there was no need to this time. “You will be no good to us if you are dead.”
For the first time, she acknowledged that he could shield them, and he was humbled. “I will protect you and Aisling with my life.”
Blair shook her head as he pulled his shirt back on and tucked it into his plaid. “Let’s hope you willna have to.” Then she hurried off.
When it came time for the last meal of the day, Aisling brought them bread, cheese, and pottage. “Mother said you were asleep on duty. I wanted to see you. She said if too many people did, the word would get out. Are you all right?”
“Aye. I feel much better. I barely just closed my eyes in truth.”
From a distance, Aodhan contradicted him by holding up his right hand, indicating five hours had passed.
Aisling shook her head. “Och, Coinneach. We said there would be no secrets between us.”
“How would I know how long I slept? Then Blair was here trying to undress me.”
“Aodhan had to send a messenger to get my mother just to make sure you were all right.”
“Your mother told you I was healing properly, aye?”
“And that you should have been sleeping in the barracks. She willna make the same mistake twice if you are ever wounded again. Next time, she will tell Druston what your restrictions are.”
“Aye, but there will be no next time.”
Aisling hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, but then she kissed him quickly. "I’ve got to run and eat my meal.”
“Thanks, Aisling.”
Then she hurried off, waved, and disappeared into the tower.
“You got a proper scolding.” Aodhan joined him, and they stood at the wall, observing the landscape, eating their food. “True sign of love.”
Coinneach smiled. “Aye.”
An hour before their relief arrived, Tamhas howled that danger was approaching the crofts.
Immediately, Coinneach bolted for the stairs.
“We still have guard duty,” Aodhan reminded him, but he was right on his heels.
“Aye, but we’re doing naught on guard duty, and that was my brother’s warning of danger.”
Drustan met them as they exited the tower stairs. "Where are you two going? You have another hour on watch duty.”
“To save my family.” Coinneach would never forgive himself if anything happened to his family because he wasn’t there to protect them.
“I’m going with him so he doesna get himself killed,” Aodhan said.
Drustan called out to two men to take their places on the wall walk.
Tristan joined them, wanting to go with them, but Coinneach said, “No. We’ll be less easy to spot if it is just the two of us.” Heappreciated that Tristan offered, and that Aodhan volunteered to accompany him.
“I’m gathering reinforcements anyway,” Drustan said.
“Aye,” Aodhan said.
