Chapter 11

It was one thing to be kept inside by the weather. It was another to be held inside four walls because of some potential threat that might or might not materialize. Lyla spent an hour after receiving her father's letter in her rooms as requested, but then restlessness set in.

Alyn was doing her duties about the keep, duties that needed to be done if the clan was about to go to battle. Ryan, Daemon and Cai would be doing the same. Lyla knew she needed to be patient, but it was difficult when she'd been looking forward to freedom, and the first ride she'd been able to have in days.

Perhaps she could still go riding, if she could find someone to go with her. Not one of her guards, which might give the impression that she was attempting to leave the keep and return home. She resolved to ask Ryan, Cai or Daemon to go with her.

The trick turned out to be finding them. The council was long since over by the time she thought to look for them. The laird's study was empty as well. In a moment of frustration, Lyla took herself out to garden, determined to at least get some fresh air, if she couldn't go riding.

The smell of blooming flowers and the herbs of the kitchen garden soothed her frustration somewhat. Lyla was about to return inside to get a book to read in the garden when she spotted a familiar figure crossing the courtyard, headed in the direction of the stables. Feeling hopeful, she hurried to catch up. "Daemon!"

Daemon saw her and slowed so she could match his stride. "Are ye well?"

"Aye, but I was wondering if ye might be headed for the stables – and mayhap for a ride." She looked up at him.

His expression was mostly stoic, but she could see the amusement in his eyes as he answered. "Aye. I was thinking tae go riding. Why do ye ask?"

"Because I've been wanting tae go for a ride, and looking for someone tae come with me, since ye didnae want me riding alone." She looked at the stables with longing. "I ken that ye promised tae guard me, and I heard ye stood up for me in council…" She'd heard the whispers from the servants, and from some of the clansmen at the noon meal. "...and I'm grateful fer yer care. I didnae want tae give ye trouble."

"Is that why ye've nae just wandered off tae dae what suits ye? Yer gratitude?"

"'Tis one reason. Courtesy is another, but neither means I dinnae want tae go fer a ride. Will ye allow me tae accompany ye?"

Daemon nodded. "Aye. As I am nae going tae scout or patrol, but was only planning tae stretch me muscles and get some air, mayhap clear me head."

"Is yer head full o' something distracting then?" She meant to tease him, and was surprised to see a brief flash of what looked like discomfort and uncertainty in his eyes before he replied.

"'Tis full o' maps and inventory and battle plans tae the point it aches. Too long focusing on such things, it can be easy tae miss things that may be important later on." Daemon waved her ahead of him to the stables. "But enough o' that. We can talk as we ride, but if we dinnae get going, then the sun will set afore we get anywhere."

Lyla nodded and watched with delighted anticipation as the stable hands saddled the two horses. Within fifteen minutes, she and Daemon were in the saddles and riding through the gates onto the open road. "Where were ye thinking o' riding tae?"

Daemon's shoulders rolled in an easy shrug. "I didnae have any specific destination in mind fer taeday." He hesitated for a moment. "If ye like I could show ye me favorite path, and the place I like tae go tae relax."

Lyla smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. I'd love tae see yer favorite places."

In response, Daemon guided her off the main path down a thinner trail that led to a wooded area. Underneath the trees the air was cooler, full of the scent of earth and growing things, as well as the sounds of birds and small animals.

They rode through the woods, then out through a small village and across a moderately sized meadow, before they found themselves in rockier hill country. Daemon guided her easily along the path, pointing out interesting sights, such as the rill of the stream that wound around the village, a thicket where does were most likely to have their fawns, and a clearing with a faerie ring of mushrooms, which both of them avoided as a habit. No need to invite trouble.

The hills wound around and swallowed them, then opened out abruptly into a small valley, most of which was dominated by a very full loch. The water was deep and clear as crystal, reflecting the blue of the sky against the slate-colored stones on the bottom and the surrounding hills. Lyla laughed with delight. "'Tis beautiful."

"'Tis peaceful, and one o' me favorite places tae come." Daemon smiled softly, and Lyla felt her heart melt at the way it transformed his face with warmth. "Rowan was fonder o' the woods, where she could find her rowan trees, so I often came here alone."

"She did love being named after a wood. Said it was proper, being named after a wood kent tae protect folk from misfortune, when she was the eldest o' us, and meant tae protect her siblings."

Daemon chuckled. "That does sound like her."

They dismounted and found seats in the long grass near the shore of the loch, looking out over the water. There was only the slightest hint of a breeze, and the water looked unruffled as glass, like an image from a story. The sun was warm, and Lyla turned her face up to it, enjoying the sensation of it on her skin, after so many cloudy days.

"Ye look content." Daemon's soft observation dragged her from the drowsy state she'd fallen into. She turned to see him sitting, one hand back to support him, the other arm resting on an upraised knee.

"I am. ‘Tis good tae see the sun. Though I willnae say I've naught on me mind." Lyla leaned back to mimic his position, though she had both legs out in front of her. "For example, I'm of a mind tae learn some fighting."

"Fighting? Why would ye wish tae learn that?"

Lyla shrugged her shoulders. "Me kinfolk and I seem tae be running intae trouble far too often. Besides, last night when ye grabbed me, I didnae ken what tae dae. I felt helpless, and I didnae like the feeling. It reminded me o' when I was kidnapped by McCouorcodale's men. I couldnae dae anything save wait fer Erin tae come and rescue me, and I didnae enjoy being helpless then either. I'd rather nae experience it again."

She half-expected Daemon to make some trite comment about how women didn't need to know to fight, or how he would protect her. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. "'Tis nae a bad idea. After all, ye're a pretty lass, and as often as ye seem tae be on the road, it wouldnae hurt fer ye tae ken something o' defending yerself. Or o' escaping if ye get caught again." He paused. "I'm surprised though. Most young ladies yer age dinnae consider such things."

"Most ladies my age dinnae have a sister who's kent as a warrior maiden o' the Highlands. But Erin's always been skilled in such things, so I can hope tae have some talent that way as well. And even if I dinnae, at least I'll ken enough tae be safer." She sighed. "I've always been more like Rowan, but it occurs tae me that I could learn from Erin, especially in self-defense."

"'Tis well-thought. But ye dinnae need tae be either o' yer sisters. ‘Tis better if ye're nae, in point o' fact." Daemon's voice was low, and it startled her into sitting up straight and facing him.

"What dae ye mean?"

He looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "A month ago, when I saw ye, I felt sick tae me stomach. I didnae want tae be around ye. And afore that – I didnae care much fer ye. I cannae say why. But now when I speak tae ye, when I see ye, ‘tis different. I feel better. And I dinnae find meself falling so deep intae me memories o' Rowan when ye're around, even though ye're her sister."

He shrugged. "I cannae explain it, but that's the truth."

"I can guess the reason." Lyla drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them to look at him. "Afore now, I was just Rowan's little sister. A child, and then a reminder. But ye've had a chance tae get tae ken me properly now, as me own person. And it makes a difference, because I'm nae like her or Erin."

"So, it does." Daemon acknowledged her words, a look of chagrin on his handsome face. "And fer that, I apologize. I've been fair cold and rude tae ye in the past, and even if I hadnae been, it was rude o' me nae tae see ye're a person in yer own right."

Lyla laughed. "Och, I'm the youngest o' three. ‘Tis more common than ye can imagine, always being in the shadow o' one or another o' me sisters."

"That doesnae seem fair." Without warning, Daemon reached out to brush some of her hair away from her face. "Ye're too bright and too unique tae be left in the shadow o' others."

His hand was warm, warmer than the sun, and it made her stomach flutter oddly. She felt suddenly hot, as if it were high summer and she'd been outside all day. She was sure her face was flushed, and grabbed the first diversion that came tae mind. "Let's go swimming!"

"What?" Daemon looked so startled, she had to laugh as she clambered to her feet and kicked off her shoes and stockings before removing her belt and sash.

"I want tae enjoy the water, since we're here." She grinned at him.

Daemon rose to his feet as well. "The water's like tae be frigid, with the spring melt from the high country. Ye'll freeze."

"I dinnae care." She smirked, then whirled and raced around to a higher rock so she could jump out into the loch.

The water was as cold as he'd predicted, and her clothing was heavy as the water soaked into it, but where she'd entered wasn't all that deep. She waded closer to the shore and smiled at him. "What will ye dae now, Laird MacMillan? Live fer once or nae?"

He snorted then, to her delight, he stripped off his own belt, blades, sash and boots. He loped over to the rock she'd jumped from, but instead of pausing as she'd done, he pushed off into a graceful, easy dive, out into the deeper section.

Lyla looked for him, and was about to start worrying that he hadn't come up when he erupted from the water in front of her, splashing her in a sudden wave that made her yelp.

"Ye lout!" She splashed back at him, and he smirked lazily as he ducked away from the water. Lyla splashed after him, laughing as she tried to catch him and dunk him under the water, futile though it might be.

They darted about in the shallow areas for several minutes, before Daemon swooped under the water, grabbed her, and began to tug her back to shore. "Come on. The water's cold, and if ye stay in too long, ye'll chill. Besides, we need time fer our clothes tae dry."

Together, they collapsed onto the grass, letting the sun dry their clothing on the front, while the ground leeched away the water from their backs. Lyla was breathing heavily as she turned to look at Daemon. "That was fun."

His brow furrowed, and his voice was thoughtful when he replied, as if he was surprised by something and trying to understand it. "Aye. It was. I cannae think o' the last time I did any such thing. I havenae gone intae the water fer any reason save bathing in many a season. I cannae think why."

Lyla pursed her lips, wondering if she ought to say what she thought. Then she decided she might as well. "'Tis what I said afore – last night I mean. Ye've been existing, nae living. Bathing is a necessity, but playing in the water, fer nae reason save enjoyment – that's living. Truly living, rather than simply existing. Ye ken?"

"I think I dae." He looked at her with a sparkle of humor in his light blue eyes, like sunlight in ice. "I take it ye think it like playing hide and seek. A fair diversion from the cares o' the day."

"Aye. That I dae." Lyla wiggled her toes against the grass. "Little moments that make life worth getting out o' bed in the morning."

"I am beginning tae understand why ye think that way." Daemon tipped his head back to the sunlight. Lyla followed suit, enjoying the warmth of it as her clothing dried.

Eventually though, Daemon sat up and began to pull his clothing back on. "Come. ‘Tis time we were heading back tae the keep." Lyla pouted at him, but sat up and followed suit. The sun had passed the zenith, and she knew how quickly it could set. They might be safe outside after dark, but it was better not to test their luck.

They dressed and mounted their horses, and Lyla followed as Daemon guided her back along the path out of the hilly country around them. They were close to the base of the hill, overlooking the small village they'd passed earlier, when a piercing cry split the air.

Both of them jerked to a halt. Lyla's hands twisted in her reins. "Did ye hear that? It sounded like a woman."

"Aye. But we'll need tae be careful…" The rest of Daemon's words were drowned out as another wail filled the air – the sound of a woman in deep distress. It was coming from a nearby cottage. Lyla turned her horse toward it, ignoring Daemon as he started to hold out a warning hand. "Lyla, wait…"

Another cry, and she couldn't listen to him, no matter how correct he might be. Lyla kicked her horse into a canter, determined to find the woman and give whatever aid she could.