Viking's Claim (Kilts & Kisses #4)(3)

…I knew he was there for me.

And when he did come for me, in the middle of the battle, somehow sneaking his way into the castle and to my very bedroom, it was everything I could do not to melt right there in his arms. He’d come billowing into my room like a hurricane, scooping me into his arms before I could say a word and kissing me unlike any kiss I’d ever dreamed of. A hard, bruising, punishing kiss that’d left me breathless and confused and aching for more. He’d slipped the necklace from around his own neck and placed it around mine, and I thought he’d leave without a single word, the same as the first time, before he’d turned and pulled me into his grasp once more, his lips brushing my ear.

“Soon, little bird,” he growled in this deep, smoky baritone that had me whimpering. “Soon, I will come for you.”

I will come for you.

I’d be lying if I said those words haven’t frightened me ever since. But I’d also be lying if I tried to claim they didn’t excite me, too. I’ve told no one about what happened, though my friends have hinted at knowing, especially after seeing the necklace. But even still, it’s my own little secret.

My dirty, sinful little secret.

Except, the fantasy of running off with the savage Viking is melting away minute by minute, the closer we get to Lord Chauntleroy’s castle and my impending wedding. I sigh, looking out the window of the carriage at the passing trees of the forest. I know it’s for the best, even if I hate the idea of marrying Thomas. It’s what I should be doing—marrying a lord, like any other highland girl of my status. And Tor?

Well, perhaps this will finally be the end of my wicked, extremely inappropriate daydreams and fantasies.

With a lurch that shakes me from my thoughts, the carriage comes to a stuttering stop.

“M’lady?”

I blink, turning as the door to my carriage opens and one of my father’s guards pokes his head in.

“We’ll be taking a small break before we continue, if that’s alright.”

I smile, nodding. “Of course, Captain.”

Anything to stall us from arriving at our destination is okay with me.

I step down from the carriage, stretching my legs and taking a deep lungful of the woods around us. I do love being outside—hiking through the woods and exploring. Even if my mother calls it “unladylike.”

Lucky for me, my parents won’t be arriving until later this evening, traveling with a different convoy to Lord Chauntleroy’s castle. I stretch again before I begin to make my way to the edge of the wooded road, poking my head into the tree line.

“M’lady, it might be best to take a guard with you if you’d like to go for a walk.”

I frown to myself before I turn, smiling at the captain.

“Oh, that’s fine, Captain. I won’t be going—”

“I’m afraid I must insist, Lady Rhona.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, thinking quickly instead.

“Captain, I…” I smile sweetly, stepping closer to him. “I actually need privacy.”

He frowns, not quite getting me. “M’lady, I—”

“It’s my cycle, you see,” I sigh heavily, making a face as I shake my head. “My womanly cycle? I need to go clean—”

“That would be fine, Lady Rhona,” the captain stutters out, his face going red. “Do you…?” he frowns. “Do you need assistance?”

I smile as sweetly as I can to cover both the lie about it being my time of the month and my laugh at his offer to “help.”

“No, Captain, I think I’ll manage just fine myself.”

“Of course, of course,” he stutters out again, awkwardly looking everywhere but my eyes as he squares his shoulders.

Men.

“Just don’t go far, m’lady.”

I thank him as I gather my skirts and step off the dirt road, stepping into the trees and pushing my way through the branches. There’s a saltiness to the air, and the further I move away from the wagon and horse train, the more I can smell it. Branches tease at my arms as I push my way through, finally breathing easier as I lose myself in the woods. Soon, I know I’ll have to go back, and continue on my way to go marry a man I don’t want. But for now, I can escape, if only for five minutes.

I keep walking, pushing my way through the trees, wandering further and further from the road. I know I’m probably going further than I ought to, but there’s a sense of adventure and a thrill of going off alone. And besides, what could possibly happen? We’re nowhere close to any town, or village, and there’s half a garrison of my father’s guards right back there by the wagons.

I push through the trees, until suddenly, I find myself stumbling out of them and right onto the rocky shore with the ocean rustling against the rocks. I blink, stiffening for moment. The coast has always made me think of Vikings, even before Tor. But I shake my head at my silliness as I step out onto the rocky shore. After all, it’s not like the ocean automatically means Vikings are near—

I stop short, my heart skipping a beat as my eyes land on the dozen longboats sitting at anchor just off the shore of the little inlet I’ve stumbled onto.

Boats with blood-red sails.

…Viking boats.

I need to get back. NOW.

My pulse thunders in my ears and I shiver as I whirl to head back for the trees, and when I do, suddenly, the scream catches silent in my throat.