Page 74 of Torin and the Princess

“I am surprised we like each other at all, I am generally wary of familiars?—”

“Familiars? Like witches’ pets?”

“Aye.” He knelt down and petted Dude.

“Well, I’m not a witch and he’s just a cat, not up to anything much but terrorizing the rodents, as is his job.” I leaned down and scratched Dude a little.

He trilled as he liked to do.

I stood back up.

Torin tilted back his head and looked down his nose again. “We ought not be out speakin’ tae each other in the night, ye ken, Mistress Lexi. Yer Master Cooper likely wants tae protect ye from my ‘advances’ on his maiden. He will think me a scoundrel and send me from yer lands.”

I chuckled. “You forget, sir, he already thinks you’re a scoundrel, he already wants you gone by morning.”

“Aye, tis the way of poor Torin, he is ever beguilin’ the lasses and provokin’ their masters?—”

“My master?” I sighed. “I suppose I’m going to let that slide since you’re an ancient man, but he is not my master, he’s just my… you know, ‘boyfriend’ as he helpfully pointed out earlier this evening.”

He narrowed his eyes and nodded.

I added, “But you think me beguiled?” I scoffed.

He chuckled. “Nae, I suppose ye arna beguiled, ye are discomfited by m’presence, nae beguiled.”

“That’s probably a better way to put it. Do you often beguile lasses? And provoke their masters?”

“Aye, m’laird finds it difficult tae extricate me from all the troubles that befall me…” He grinned. “Tis all because I am so verra charmin’.”

I laughed. “Yes, I can see that. And your laird, Max, doesn’t get in trouble?”

“Aye, he does, but he has a better manner about him, he is a prince… he is often forgiven his...” He shook his head. “Nae, I ought not discuss our intrigues in front of a bonny lass such as yerself. Tis too scandalous. Suffice it tae say, Max is often the one who is cleared and forgiven for our exploits and clear-headed on our failings and must solve the issues with the lairds and blacksmiths and priests…”

“And you’re the troublemaker.”

He grinned. “Tis true, and tis also true that I am more amiable tae be around.”

“I’m sorry I’m asking so many questions, I’m just kind of fascinated — Does your laird Max know you think he’s the serious one and you’re more fun?”

“Aye, he is often too serious, worried about his family. He kens he has the manner of a spring bear. I do m’best tae keep his spirits up, but tis a chore some days. And I daena mind yer questions, I enjoy a conversation in the darkness, oidhche mhath?—

“What does that mean?”

“A fine night.” He breathed in deeply, rolling his hand so that I breathed in deeply too. “If ye fill yer lungs, Mistress Lexi, with the cool damp air and stench of the deep muck of the forest, ye will be protected from the mischievous fae?—”

I exhaled. “How does that work?”

“If yer lungs are filled with the air of the forest the fae canna find ye by yer breath, tis protective, everyone kens. Whenever I am in a tavern in the night and I go out tae relieve m’self I take a deep breath of the night air, a fae has never once harmed me. Ye see, Mistress Lexi, it has proven tae be a good charm.”

“I hadn’t heard that, but now I will breathe in at night more often. I do love coming out here and standing under the night sky. Do you see how, when you stand here…” I went out in the yard by about twenty feet, and stood in the grass, and looked up. “See how the trees ring the sky? This is one of my favorite places in the world.”

He followed me to the spot and looked up. “I see it, the trees circle ye, ye are surrounded, and protected in the ring.”

“Yep, this is a magical spot.” I looked down at my feet. “Right here, this one foot by one foot square.”

I looked back up and then realized he was keenly watching the side of my face.

I blushed. “I really like to come out here at night, from now on I will remember to breathe deeply.”

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