Page 64 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
Callum had his arms crossed like a petulant child, leaning against the pillar of the stable block with his brows knotted in fury.
“Ye ken what a man-at-arms is for, yes?” Callum asked.
“Aye.”
“I’m supposed to accompany ye on yer travels to ensure ye dinnae get an arrow in the neck.”
“Have I returned dead without realizin’ it?” Noah quipped as he handed Mac’s reigns to the stableboy, patting the beast’s neck as he trotted away.
Noah sighed as he approached his friend, feeling guilty at the hurt look on his face. “I was in a temper and dinnae wish for ye to have to deal with me company,” he confessed.
“Ye think I havenae seen ye in a temper before? Ye are angry every other day, man. I should have come with ye.”
“Alright. I’m sorry. I’ll take ye next time.” Callum scowled at him but seemed mildly pacified. “Where’s the witch?”
Callum scoffed. “I kenned that would be all ye were interested in. Not even enough time to tell yer loyal man-at-arms what ye have agreed with the lairds of the land. Only interested in the lass.”
“Did ye ever consider I might need to speak to her because of me chest pain?”
Callum eyed him carefully. “Ye dinnae look like yer in pain.”
“And ye’re the expert, are ye?”
Callum chuckled. “I dinnae wish to examine ye if that’s what ye’re askin’, and ye need to get better at lyin’ about her, yer in nae more pain than I am. Nae in yerchestanyway.”
He sauntered away, leaving Noah with a sensation running through him that felt suspiciously like anticipation.
Indeed, the long ride home had felt faster and lighter than usual—knowing that he would see Keira at the end of it had made the miles drift by effortlessly. He scowled at himself, determined not to let her encroach into any more of his mind than she already had.
Yet, in spite of his resolve, he found his feet leading him to her chambers without conscious thought. He was knocking on the door before he had fully processed where he was.
There was no reply, and when he pushed the door open, he found the rooms empty. Turning around he saw a small maid behind him, looking expectant as though awaiting instructions.
“Do ye ken where the healer is?” he asked her.
“Aye, Me laird, she has gone to the woods to collect some plants that she was without.”
He growled angrily, and the girl flinched away from him.
“Be at peace, lass; it is nae ye I am angry with.”
He stomped out of the castle, determined this time to forbid Keira from leaving without his consent.
I should forbid her from leaving her rooms without me permission. Then, she would be there when I wanted her and never in danger again.
Scattered images filled his mind of Keira being at his beck and call at all hours of the day. She would have to request to leave her rooms, and he would accompany her wherever she went. Sometimes, she might ask permission, and he would forbid it. She might beg him, offering anything in return if he agreed.
Noah swore, shaking the inappropriate thoughts from his mind, trying to tamp down the need that flared to life in him again.
He passed Callum on the way out of the castle and narrowed his eyes at him.
“Did ye ken she wasnae there?” he barked at him.
“Who are ye lookin’ for, Me laird?” Callum asked with a gleeful smile.
“I’ll take a sword to ye later,” Noah grumbled as Callum grinned at him.
As he made his way toward the forest, the it was nearly midday and the sun was high in the sky. A dappled light spread over the grasses before him, and the scent of primroses drifted in the air.
