Heart of Shadows by Paula Quinn

Author:Paula Quinn
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2019-04-09T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

BRAYA SMILED AT one of her aunts but did not pause her steps on her way to Torin in the town hall. Many of her family had gone home, back to their daily duties. The meeting was over. There would be no fighting, but more food instead. It had been a great success. Braya wanted to thank the two men who had made it so.

She wanted more time with her knight, for that was what Sir Torin was—her knight, bringing what her family needed, what she needed. He was a man who was not unsettled by her skill. He hadn’t tried to manhandle her, and she doubted it was because he was afraid of what she might do. He didn’t seem to be frightened by much.

She wanted to speak to him and get to know him more.

“You must think him a true hero,” Galien said, moving in front of her and blocking her path.

Braya looked toward heaven and let out a tight little sigh. “Who?” she asked with a cool smile. “Father? For being so wise and sound and for keeping those of us who still live first in his thoughts?”

“I keep us first in my thoughts, Braya,” her brother argued quietly. “Five of us were killed. If there is no punishment for their deaths, others will think little of doing the same.”

“And what respect will the border regiment gain if robbing and trying to kill them goes unpunished? Many times—like last eve for one—they have protected us. Our enemies fear them. Once that is gone, we will have great trouble.”

“What do I care about respect for the border guards?” Galien snarled at her and shook his head. “I will forgive you for your lack of good judgment, Braya. You are smitten.” He spoke the last word as if he wanted to spit it out of his mouth.

“Sir Torin is a good man, Galien,” she argued, knowing what he insinuated. “I will not treat him like anything less because he was trying to stay alive that night and he happened to be able to fight better than our cousins.”

Her brother looked as if he either wanted to say something else, or throttle her.

He made the wise choice by remaining quiet and walking away.

With her path cleared, she set her gaze on Sir Torin again. She found him engaged in a conversation, which he appeared to find pleasant enough, with her cousin, Louise.

Braya slowed her pace, spellbound while he plunged his fingers through the curls dangling over his eyes. Damnation, did Louise find him as irresistibly handsome as Braya did? She wondered what Louise was telling him. Her cousin giggled and Torin looked away. His gaze met Braya’s.

Anyone bothering to look could clearly see his mouth softening, his eyes warming on her, drawing her closer.

“Louise,” she said, reaching them. She offered them a pleasant smile. “I was hoping to have a word with our guest before he leaves for the castle.”

“Of course,” her cousin said and hurried off, looking a little disappointed.

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