Page 36 of Ashes of Betrayal

His shoulders tensed in reply before he gave an abrupt nod.

Bree’s stomach fluttered. Shades, this was awkward.

Not pushing her luck any further, she moved across to Tivesheh.Follow us … but keep yourself hidden. She stroked Tivesheh’s smooth neck.White stags are rare in Albia … I don’t want a hunter finding you.

They’ll have to be fast to catch me.Tivesheh tossed his head.Whistle and I will come.

Bree smiled and slapped him on the shoulder.Go then.

Turning swiftly, the stag bounded into the trees. She watched him go, a familiar sense of loss tugging at her chest.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to do that.” The rumble of Cailean’s voice drew her attention then, and she glanced over her shoulder to see that he’d mounted Feannag and was watching her.

“Do what?”

“Touch minds with animals.” His gaze flicked to where Skaal sat a few yards away, waiting for them to depart. “What do you and Skaal talk about?”

Her lips quirked. He sounded almost jealous. “That’s between two lasses.”

Cailean harrumphed, although a rare flicker of mirth softened his gaze. “Have it your way then.”

“Skaal understands you,” she said then.

Cailean cut the fae hound a sidelong look. “Really?”

“Aye … she just can’t answer back.”

He shook his head slowly. “Gods,” he murmured. “All the times I’ve ranted at the poor beast.”

Skaal made a sound in the back of her throat, halfway between a growl and a yelp, and Bree swallowed a laugh.Aye, he’s a grumpy prick.

Cailean’s gaze flicked between them before his mouth pursed. He then jerked his chin over his shoulder, making it clear she was to get up behind him. “Enough talk. Let’s get moving.”

Bree moved forward and vaulted up onto Feannag. The moment she was astride the stallion, she stiffened. The heat of Cailean’s back was a furnace, and she quelled the urge to lean into him. Instead of looping her arms around his waist though, she rested her hands upon her thighs.

Her nostrils flared as the heavy tang of iron assaulted her senses. A tremor then rippled through her. The blades he wore strapped across his chest were uncomfortably close. Fortunately, he’d taken his broadsword off his back and strapped it, and the dagger he usually wore at his hip, to the front of the saddle.

Nonetheless, the proximity to iron made her break into a sweat.

Feannag moved off then, springing into a jolting trot. The movement threw Bree’s body up against Cailean’s—and the feel of the strong muscles of his back and the scent of leather and woodsmoke triggered memories.

Of Duncrag. Of the one night they’d spent in each other’s arms.

Pushing thoughts of that encounter to the back of her mind, she attempted to settle properly into the saddle and adjust herself to the horse’s stride. The harsh reek of iron caught in the back of her throat, and she coughed.

Shades, she’d have to put up with this all the way to Morae.

You wanted this, she reminded herself then.It’s too late for regrets.

16: IN SEARCH OF EILIG

BREE AND CAILEAN didn’t speak during the journey to Morae. Their silence wasn’t companionable, but strained.

She wondered if he already regretted allowing her to accompany him to the crannog. Bree didn’t question him about it though. Best to let his decision settle. She’d find a way to make herself useful at their destination so trust might bloom between them.

All the same, worry tugged at her, as did a nagging voice in her head.Pushing your way into his life won’t work,it whispered. Coming back to Albia was a mistake.

Quiet. Bree shut the voice down firmly.Just give me time.In returning here and searching for her husband, she’d followed her gut. She just hoped it hadn’t steered her wrong.

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