Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2) (9 page)

Danior swung himself into his saddle and took the reins of his horse. He did not look pleased. “I go alone. The king has refused me additional men for the search, although I have learned he sent out another party to scout the area for him. I believe King Henry feels I will fail in my quest and my head will soon be residing on a pike outside his gates. Gavin alone was willing to join me in my quest.”

“Then let us ride together whilst we begin our search,” Riorden proclaimed as he mounted his steed. Once he saw Patrick easily settled on his own horse and ready to ride, he said, “I will not put the women in danger, but I see no harm if we double our efforts and work together to find those who have gone astray.”

Riorden gazed up momentarily at the battlement wall where he had touched Katherine for the very first time. He could almost feel the warm, silkiness of her arm and, more importantly, her rapid pulse as he laid a gentle kiss upon her wrist. He could only wonder at what magic could have possibly been strong enough to bring her to his side. Determination to find his errant lady coursed through his veins. He would not fail in his vow to find her. With one last look at Bamburgh, he turned his horse and began making his way through the courtyard.

Their party of five was indeed small as they went through the postern gate, but perhaps this could be beneficial. Without the additional support of extra men, they could travel swiftly and, if needed, sneak up on their missing prisoner in order to capture him once again. Finding both Katherine and Danior’s rebel were equally important. At least once Cavanaugh was found, Danior could rest easy, knowing his head would remain where it belongs ─ firmly attached to his neck.

S
unlight peeked
through
the branches of the tree limbs, stretching high above the heads of the four women, who slowly made their way across the forest floor. For two days, their pace had been steady as they followed closely behind Katherine, who seemingly knew the destination she had in mind. Several times during their flight from Bamburgh, they had heard horses and had hidden themselves in the brush in fear of being found by the king’s guards or attacked by villains. So far, their luck had held out, and they had done a good job of hiding themselves.

Walking south, for what felt like miles, they were thankful for the sneakers they wore. That is, with the exception of one. They had scrounged shoes for Juliana to wear when they were looking for supplies at Bamburgh. Those designer, spiked, four-inch heels, no matter how pretty or comfortable she said they were, would have been a dead giveaway that there was something
different
about their group. Jewel’s shoes would have been difficult to explain.

Ever onward, they trudged. Katherine turned back to look at her friends and noticed they appeared…well…for lack of a better word…wilted. Deciding they all needed to rest, she took the sack from her back and swung it onto the ground next to a fallen log. She happily plunked down beside it and crossed her legs in front of her to relax.

Not that she didn’t enjoy a good stroll now and then, but how convenient would it be to be driving in her car right about now? That, obviously, wasn’t about to happen. And she would have to wait more than another eight hundred years, if she ever wanted to sit behind the wheel of her own vehicle again. It was something she truly didn’t want to think about, for if that were to occur, it would mean she had failed in her quest to keep Riorden forever at her side. She could only guess how long it would take to walk to a place that had only taken her a few hours to drive to in another time.

Looking up at the sun through a break in the trees, she estimated the time to be around noon and that they were still heading south. She could be wrong, though, since she seemed to be all turned around in her sense of direction. She was thankful for her love of camping, which had already helped them out several times this day, as well as Brianna’s efficiency with a bow. Brie had been able to kill a small rabbit and after cleaning the meat, Katherine had proceeded to roast them a fine meal to start their morning.

A laugh escaped her as she remembered handing a small piece to Emily, who had looked at her with a horrified look. Katherine had reminded her that it could be some time before they had any form of food again, so she had better eat up, since she couldn’t afford to be picky. Emily had mumbled something about eating poor little Thumper before she reluctantly put the juicy meat in her mouth and chewed. Katherine could just tell by looking at her that she was about to choke from the thought of eating the once furry little creature. She had looked positively green. At least, she had been able to keep the food down.

Katherine closed her eyes and thought of Riorden. Peacefulness washed over her like the refreshing smell of new fallen rain. With such a feeling of comfort, she was even more firmly resolved to head in the only direction she knew to go. She had the greatest faith in Riorden and knew with every beat of her heart, he would know where to find her. She smiled, thinking that it was only a matter of time before they would be reunited.

Opening her eyes, she saw Emily was peering into the forest as if trying to determine which would be the safest path to take in order to take care of some personal business.

“Take a knife, Em,” Katherine ordered. “Remember, safety first.”

“What the heck do I need a knife for?” Emily asked shortly.

Katherine rolled her eyes. “’Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.’ Isn’t that how the saying goes?”

“Don’t know what you think I’m going to do with the stupid thing. It’s not as if I’m good at killing anything we can eat or protecting myself,” Emily muttered.

Juliana laughed out loud. “You may not know how to use it, but I’d still hate to come up against you when you’re feeling scrappy.”

“And we’ve seen you when someone’s ticked you off,” Brianna added. “Not a good place to be.”

“Fine, I’ll take the dang thing,” Emily finally relented. She went to the bag at Katherine’s feet and began rummaging around, looking for one of the knives.

“Here Em, take this one,” Juliana called out, smiling as she took the knife out of her waistband.

Emily looked at Jewels, who only gave her a sheepish smile and a shrug, as if it had been the most natural thing in the world to be keeping a weapon in such a place. Gazing at the knife, Emily looked at it as though she had never seen one before, and then she began muttering to herself about her ornery and cocky friends.

“Don’t go too far, either,” Katherine shouted in caution, when Emily trounced off into the woods, as she, too, pulled a knife from the back of her jeans.

Poor Emily
, Katherine thought as her laugher resonated with the thought of her friend and the dilemma she was now facing. If Emily had her way, she’d be back sitting in the coffee shop in San Francisco with no further thoughts of having to go potty in the woods.

E
mily could have sworn
she heard Katherine’s laughter ringing out as she made her way deeper into the woods. The things she had been reduced to! Even a filthy, smelly, disgusting garderobe would be preferable than having to find a random place here in the woods to take care of her business. This was camping on a whole different level, and she wanted to go home! What the hell was she doing here out of her element anyway?

She continued making her way through the forest until she thought she was far enough from prying eyes. Stopping, her eyes began to adjust to the dimmer lighting found in the density of the trees. A branch snapped, and Emily quickly looked towards where the sound seemed to originate. She brandished her knife, hoping she looked menacing enough, while she continued peering into the darkness before her. She stood that way for several moments until she began to relax, feeling she had only imagined the noise.

Emily dropped her guard and lowered the knife, holding it loosely in her hand. It was a mistake. An arm snaked out from behind her, knocking the knife, which fell useless to the ground. A viselike grip wrapped itself around her waist and she was pulled up against a rock hard, muscular body. She tried to struggle, but it was no use. Captured in a steely grip, she cursed her stupidity.

“Ye shouldna’ be out in the woods by yerself, milady,” her assailant whispered huskily in her ear. “Ye never know who ye might meet that may wish ye harm.”

Emily gave no thought to her own safety as she quickly ground her heel into the man’s foot and brought back her elbow, landing it firmly in the man’s ribs. His breath left him in a loud hiss as he loosened his hold. It was enough for her to break free and make a grab for her knife. She twirled around, not knowing what she planned to do next.

Seeing the man’s body outlined in the darkness, her breathing came rapidly as her chest heaved in and out. Her panic surely shown in her eyes, but she refused to let this stranger drag her off and do whatever evil intent he had on his mind. Brandishing the knife in front of her, Emily hoped she appeared menacing enough to keep him at bay. Her eyes widened in surprise when the man, partially hidden in the shadows, held up his hands as if in surrender.

“Easy, lassie, ’tis just me.”

His voice was like a gentle whisper on the wind. Her eyes narrowed as she peered into the shadow until he at last stepped forward into the light. A pleasant gasp of surprise escaped her. “Tiernan!” she replied in excitement. Running towards him, she threw herself into his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, and she listened to his amused chuckle, rumbling in his chest while he held her close.

“’Twas not exactly the welcome I was expecting, but I willna’ complain,” he said, with another soft laugh.

Emily disentangled herself from his arms and saw his eyes twinkle in amusement. He smiled broadly, and she just about lost her heart. She inspected him up and down for any further injuries. He was looking much better than when she had last seen him. She could only imagine he had found some river to take an icy bath in. Where he had come upon clean clothes, she didn’t want to ask. Even his plaid tartan looked freshly laundered. He cut a most dashing figure.

“Sorry,” she said blushing. “What must you think of me, throwing myself at you like that?”

His grin grew even larger, if that was at all possible. “Well, Lady Emily, I would think ye to be a most enchanting creature, coming to grace me with her presence.”

She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. “No one has ever called me enchanting before.”

He reached out his finger towards her and ran it gently down her cheek. “They should have, but I am glad I am the first, if this is so,” he said softly.

A shiver went through her at his touch, and she felt she was losing her grip on the reality of her situation. She did not know him, but, for whatever reason, she knew she would be safe with him. She seemed at a loss for words as she blushed again.

He laughed once more. “Aye, the shade of red becomes ye. Are ye perchance a woodland faerie coming to grant me a wish?”

She looked at him in surprise at his words. “And what would you wish for, if you were to ask?” she said so softly, he had to lean forward, straining to hear her words. When he stepped closer, she could feel the heat from his body radiate between them.

“If I were to wish for a kiss, would ye grant me such a request?”

His answer caused her to once more tremble in anticipation. A gasp escaped her, and she watched his face to see if he was mocking her. But no, she thought. There was nothing she could see within the depths of his soft brown eyes to show that he was anything but sincere. She traced the planes of his face with her eyes; from the reddish-brown hair, falling rakishly across his brow, to his square, firm jaw, to his chiseled cheek bones, and to a mouth she longed to taste. He had to be the most handsome man she had ever met, and he was gazing at her as if he could come to care for her too. She continued to watch his face and noticed a roughish grin appear.

“Perhaps the look ye just gave me said more than any words ye could speak,” he said tenderly.

She gazed at him confused. “Did I look at you wrong?”

“Assuredly not, Lady Emily!” he replied honestly and chortled. “’Tis been some time since a beautiful woman has looked on me with something akin to affection. Not that this is the place or time for me to be dallying with a woman, no matter how much I would like things to be different at the moment.”

Emily hung her head, feeling embarrassed that he could read her expressions so openly. “Yes, I suppose I should be returning to my friends.”

“Where are yer guards and attendants?” Tiernan asked as he scanned the area, wary of being captured once more.

“Guards? We’re not traveling with any guards. It’s just me and my other three girlfriends…umm…lady friends,” Emily replied, as if there was nothing wrong with four women traveling alone. In her time, it was never a problem. His look of concern overwhelmed her, and she could only wonder where his thoughts were running to. She did not have long to wait for his answer.

“Lady Emily, for the love of God, please dinnae tell me ye are alone with only three other women for protection,” he said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

“We’re perfectly safe, I assure you,” she replied confidently.

“Aye! I can see how safe ye are, and how well ye protect yerself, given as it took me all of two seconds to disarm ye,” he yelled, taking her by the arms and giving her a small shake.

“Well…you caught me unaware,” she retorted, just as hotly.

“And just what do ye think would have happened if it had been some other ruffian that had found ye? Ye wouldna’ have fared as well, I guarantee ye! Damn it woman, what be ye thinking?”

Emily tilted her head and perused him at her leisure then gave him a slight smile. Clearly, he was very irritated with her. He let go of her arms and began pacing back and forth, cursing, she assumed, in Gaelic.
Geez…isn’t he just an adorable sight, or what?
she thought, then out loud said, “Are we having our first argument?”

“What?” he asked breathily, as if he was trying to calm his racing heart.

“You know…are we having our first fight?”

He peered at her and softened his expression. “Aye, I suppose we are. But, anyone with enough common sense knows these are perilous times. Ye just do not go traipsing about in the woods without a proper escort, milady.”

“I can tell you’re upset, but I promise you, we are very independent women who are used to being on our own,” she said calmly, trying to defuse his anger.

Tiernan stared at her as if she spoke another language, and Emily could only assume he had never heard of such an occurrence, especially for a woman. Remember the times, Emily, she wisely thought to herself.
It’s unheard of for a lady to go about unescorted, unless she isn’t a lady at all.

“I have ne’er heard of such a thing,” he said, through clenched teeth, “and I dinnae like it.”

“I’m sorry, if I have angered you, Tiernan. What do you propose?”

He thought for several minutes before he finally shook his head, coming to a decision. “I wish I could accompany ye to yer destination, milady. But I fear, if I did so, I would bring down upon yer head the wrath of the king and his men, who are certainly searching for me. I wouldna’ want ye caught with me, since I am still a wanted man. Instead, I shall send a small contingent of my men whom I trust, to watch over ye, and yer companions. They will be close at hand should ye have need of them and will be wearing a sash such as mine. Will ye be able to recognize it?”

“Yes, of course, Tiernan,” she answered. Then she turned and began to make her way through the trees. She called back to him. “Thank you for the protection.”