The Stag by McQueen Hildie

Author:McQueen, Hildie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Pink Door Publishing
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Robena woke with a slight headache. Beside her Artair slept, his breathing soothing to her raw senses.

Shivering, she moved closer to him, snuggling against his back, allowing the warmth of his body to seep into hers. A coldness had taken over her and despite the thick bedding she could not get warm. Sometime during the night, Artair must have come to the bed and lay down next to her, but atop the blankets, with a separate cover of his own. His thick tartan.

Such was it between them, everything felt so natural, that him in her bed did not feel strange in the least. It was dangerous, that they could be so compatible, but at the same time the truth was clear; that Artair did not plan to ever settle and in time he would leave.

Today she would speak to him and ask that he not seek her anymore. His going would be another wound to her already shredded heart, but she was falling in love with him and the longer they were together, the harder it would be to let him go.

A soft snore sounded, and she smiled. He was such a kind and caring man. It was the first time she’d met a man who did everything he could to ensure she was well.

It was reassuring that for the time being Artair would be near. He’d informed her of the laird’s orders to oversee the village. However, she had no doubt that as soon as matters settled, he would leave to seek a new adventure.

Closing her eyes, she prayed to sleep a while longer. She didn’t want this moment to end.

She must have fallen asleep, because when Artair jostled her, Robena yawned widely. He’d rolled to his back and slipped an arm under her head, so she was cradled in the crook of it, her head on his shoulder.

“How do ye feel?” he asked, his voice groggy.

“I do not know.”

“I haven’t slept this late in a long time. Tired.”

She let out a breath. “Me either. Ye should go. I am sure ye have much to do.”

For a long moment, Artair didn’t reply. “I will return and ensure ye are well.”

Words stuck in her throat, and she fought not to begin crying again. As it was, her eyes felt dry and swollen from the night before.

“It feels so natural to be speaking to ye, here in my bed,” Robena said with a soft chuckle. “Although it is most unusual, and we should not be here together. If a villager were to happen by and see yer horse . . .” She left the rest unsaid.

When he pressed a kiss to her temple, she sighed at the sweetness of it.

“Artair. I must ask that ye stay away from me. It is best that we do not spend time together any longer.”

He gave her an incredulous look. “Why?”

After pressing a kiss to his cheek, she slid from the bed and wrapped in a long robe. “My heart cannot withstand any more pain and the more we are together, the more I wish for ye to remain.

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