Part 19 (1/2)

Lochlan smiled at her words as he continued to hold her hand. ”So you received my message?”

”Aye and it couldn't have come at a better time. I was already near madness.” She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath as if savoring the thought. ”Thank you.”

He tsked at her as he led her outside to a small garden that was just off the hall. ”Do you think me such a villain that I'd leave you to your worst nightmare after you saved me?”

”Honestly, I've known many who would have. But nay, I expected you to come for me.”

”Then I'm grateful I didn't disappoint you.”

Cat paused by a bench to look up at him. In the moonlight, he was so incredibly handsome. Then again, he was always handsome, no matter the light. There was just something about the moon that softened his features and made him appear less harsh and stern. Her heart pounding, she wanted to taste him.

She rose up slowly.

Lochlan let out a feral growl before he pulled her against him and kissed her breathless. She should have no feeling for this man and yet she did. All she wanted was to hold him close. To keep him right here, in her arms. She didn't know why, but she drew strength from him. Comfort.

And she never wanted to leave that.

But the most surprising thing she felt was the foreign sensation of being home. It was as if she were meant to be in his arms.

Closing her eyes, she breathed him in.

Lochlan cupped her head in his hands as desire flooded his body. In all his life, he'd never ached like this for a woman. He wanted her in a way that defied any reason. He was about to do something for her that he'd sworn he'd never do for anyone.

Jeopardize his people. Risk his life.

And he didn't even care. Nay it wasn't that, he did care. But keeping her safe was even more important to him.

Someone cleared their throat.

Lochlan pulled back to find Lord Reginald scowling at them.

”Your Highness?” the man said coldly.

Cat blinked her eyes open. Instead of looking behind her to see Reginald, she continued to look up at Lochlan. The innocent desire he saw reflected in her eyes tore through him like fire.

Whatever this madness that had possession of him had also taken her.

”Highness,” Reginald practically barked. ”I think it best you return inside.”

”Don't forget me,” she mouthed the words to him.

”Never,” he breathed.

Her smile floored him before she pulled away and turned to follow Reginald back inside. Lochlan stood there, his heart aching from the loss.

”You are a brave man.”

He turned at the deep voice that was coming out of the darkness behind him. He could make out only the faintest outlines of the man's body. ”How so?”

Damien St. Cyr stepped out of the shadows to eye him coldly. As before, his face was concealed by a silver mask, which made Lochlan wonder if the man wasn't infected with leprosy. ”You dabble with a princess when half her father's court is in attendance. What else could you possibly be?”

”Foolish.”

Damien let out a low laugh. ”Aye, of that I have no doubt. I will say this though, my cousin doesn't trust anyone and yet she followed you out here. I find that...odd.”

”Is that why you were spying on us?”

Damien smirked. ”Nay. I was here already. You two disturbed the fresh air I was trying to find.”

”Then I shall leave you to it.” He started back for the hall.

”Lochlan?”

He paused at Damien's call. ”Aye?”

”A word to the wise. There are enemies aplenty here.”

His blood ran cold at the warning. ”Meaning what?”

Damien brushed his bottom lip with his thumb as if considering how to respond. When he did, his voice was laden with warning. ”A good friend once told me to be wary where you put your trust.

Not everyone is as careful with it as you are.” And with that he vanished back into the shadows.

Lochlan stood there, contemplating those words. They were wise indeed, but he wondered what had prompted them. He was still frowning when he returned to the great hall.

A quick scan failed to locate Catarina. But Simon joined him almost as soon as he returned.

”Are you all right?” Simon asked.

”Aye. I just had a strange encounter.”

Simon's eyes widened. ”Are you speaking of your tryst with Catarina?”

Lochlan scowled. ”I beg your pardon?”

”That was on the tongue of many a wagging gossipmonger when I arrived. It appears you were seen kissing Catarina outside in the gardens.”

Lochlan let out a sound of disgust. ”Nay. Have they nothing better to do?”

”Than ruin lives for no other reason than they can? Nay. 'Tis the nature of people, I fear, to speak out of turn and harshly about those they don't know.”

Truer words were never spoken.

Simon cleared his throat. ”Well if you aren't speaking of the gossips, then what has you scowling so?”

”I spoke to Damien St. Cyr outside. He told me to be wary of my trust. That others wouldn't be as careful with it as I.”