Forged in Dreams and Magick (Highland Legends #1)(92)
“You’re not the only one responsible for the safety of your tribe. Nor am I for mine. They chose us to lead them. We accepted, aware of our strengths and weaknesses. We know we can’t be everything. They know we cannot. If we falter, another person replaces us, protecting them.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath, clearing my head. In the master plan of things, I couldn’t be certain fate hadn’t caused my misstep. Even if carelessness caused my fumble, being haunted with misery about the possible consequences was pointless.
As I forgave myself, I realized Velloc had highlighted something I’d forgotten. Brigid stood behind me as more than a figurative backup. My mind latched onto the thought: she’d done the right thing in my stead.
The knowledge strengthened me. “Someone did protect them.”
Velloc kissed the top of my head as I vowed to be present for him in every way. My survival, and therefore his, depended upon my clarity in every moment.
I shifted and smiled up at the man who supported me in so many ways simply by being true to himself. A rugged, fearless warrior on the outside protected the heart of a man who loved with conviction without reservation or prejudice. I tightened my arms around him, pulling him close, his physical comfort magnifying the warmth he’d spread inside me with his words. The minutes he held me in silence felt like a precious eternity.
I slid my hands up his muscular back. “Come, let’s join them. Lead your tribe to victory.”
Velloc devastated me with a rare smile of pride. Joy lit up a darkly handsome face worn by the elements in a hard life fully lived. He hooked his arm around me, tugging me toward our horses. I laughed as his contagious happiness surrounded me. Amid a march toward the most stressful of events, the man had lifted my spirits. I’d thought I couldn’t fall any harder for Velloc. I’d been wrong.
Buoyant on his generous spirit, I spun in front, leaned up, and kissed the smile off his face. He enfolded me in his arms as we explored each other’s mouths. My hands skimmed up his chest and locked around his neck. He pressed forward, kissing my breath away.
Velloc reluctantly tore his lips from my mouth, panting as I gulped for air. He dropped his forehead, resting it on mine. We needed to rejoin the men. Safety among numbers and diminishing daylight made catching up with his tribe imperative. He growled, releasing his possessive hold, and a whimper left my lips as we separated, the moment ending.
Velloc tugged me forward by the hand. We mounted our horses and raced southeast, Malibu pacing behind his stallion. He veered left, choosing a sparsely wooded path to make up lost time. We pushed the animals hard until darkness hampered the ability to navigate with speed. As we slowed to a walk, I questioned whether we’d be able to find the others in the obscuring night.
Sounds filtered through to us on the wind: a gentle snort, then another. We’d found someone’s camp for the night. Velloc shot up an open hand, and I silently reined in Malibu. He scouted ahead, disappearing, while I waited with bated breath in the silent darkness.
Velloc returned and led us toward a ridge. The horses climbed at our gentle urging, picking their way to the top. Rocks tumbled down the steep incline during our painstaking ascent. We passed a group of untethered horses, but I saw not one man.
Seeing and feeling had become two very different things for me, however. My Pict training kicked into high gear as I sensed the environment. A large amount of consciousness weighed heavy in the space around us, bordering the tree line, and into the forest. Before reaching the peak of the ridgeline, Velloc turned us into the heavier woods. Within seconds, we were surrounded.
Familiar faces emerged from the shadows, and I sighed in relief, the aggressive air turning friendly as we dismounted. Several Caereni clapped Velloc on the shoulder in hushed tones of greeting and news. I pushed my way through the throng of men that flowed in, seeking to get by Velloc’s side and overhear the shared information.
Sennian moved forward as the other men respectfully eased back, encircling their two leaders. The large gathering stood dozens deep around us; I remained, without remark or reaction, on the inside edge of the group as his commander reported. “We’re a day’s protected ride from the Roman front line. Their numbers are spread over open ground.”
“Have we preyed upon them?” Velloc asked.
“Yes. Our scouts delivered word that our night raids weaken them. They pull in tighter as we pick off their exposed men on the outer edges.”
Velloc nodded. “Good. Go and rest. Tomorrow we join our brothers.”
Velloc led our horses to a copse of pines and tied their reins to a gnarled pine branch. Across from them, he settled against the base of a wide oak, its enormous trunk deformed into a cradle. He opened his arms up in invitation, and I sank against his side under our impromptu shelter.
Excitement for the impending encounter kept me awake. Thoughts lit up my mind about what we’d find; how the enemy would handle our preemptive strike; and where, in all the action, I would be. What role would I play?
I fidgeted against Velloc’s chest, nervous energy releasing from my body. I sighed, trying to sink into numb mindlessness. He lay there calmly, never flinching, his breaths steady and even. I draped an arm and leg over him, pulling myself further into his body heat. He wrapped an arm around me, beneath my fur, rubbing callused fingertips up and down my back. The gesture soothed me.
“Velloc?”
“Yes, Isobel.” His low, graveled voice uttered my name like a growled purr.