Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

T he castle was still and silent as Ciara slipped along the corridors. Morning had not yet dawned and the world beyond the castle walls was still dark. She moved swiftly down to Magnus’ bedchamber and opened the door. The flickering light from the torches on the walls in the corridor fell on the sleeping man, whose breath was soft and even. Ciara took a moment to gaze at him, admiring how handsome he was, but more so, enjoying the peaceful look on his face.

The corners of Magnus’ mouth were curled up, as if he was smiling, and Ciara wondered for a brief moment what he was dreaming about. She was so used to seeing him with his brow furrowed and jaw clenched that seeing his face unlined and free from worry was unexpected. He looked almost boyish. Sweet. Her pulse raced a little faster as she gazed at him and a pang of longing and desire echoed through her heart.

Doing her best to set that all aside, Ciara swallowed hard and stepped into his bedchamber. She wasn’t sure she should be doing what she was about to do, but she had vowed to herself that she was going to teach Magnus how to smile and enjoy life more than he did. This seemed like a good time to start. She just hoped he’d be receptive to her idea.

Creeping to the side of his bed, she reached out and touched his arm, shaking him. “Magnus, wake up. Magnus?—”

Before she’d finished her sentence, Magnus jerked awake. His eyes flew open, and he produced a dagger from somewhere as he jumped up. The thin blanket that had been covering him fell away as he stood on the bed looking down the point of his blade at her. A sharp squeak burst from Ciara’s mouth and her cheeks burned so hot she thought her face might actually catch fire as she gaped at him.

“What in the bleedin’ hell are ye doin’?” he shouted.

Ciara knew she should tear her eyes away, but she felt physically unable to. Her body was not taking commands, and she was left to stare at the stark-naked man standing over her. Her face flushing furiously, she gestured to him.

“Ye—ye’re naked, Magnus.”

He looked down at himself and his eyes widened as if he only just realized he wasn’t wearing a stitch. Magnus took a stumbling step backward and fell off the bed, landing hard on his backside with a loud grunt. His dagger flew out of his hand, landing across the room with a ringing clatter and a string of curses erupted from his mouth. He grabbed the thin blanket he’d been sleeping beneath and wrapped it around his naked body and glared at her as he tried to regain some shred of his dignity. Ciara blushed furiously but couldn’t keep the smile off her face as the image of his body was seared into her mind.

“What in the bleedin’ hell are ye doin’ in here?” he shouted.

“I—I—why are ye naked?” she asked. “Dae ye always sleep without clothes?”

“Aye. I dae!”

“Why?”

“What does it matter? What are ye doin’ in here?”

A giggle passed her lips as she belatedly turned away, trying to banish the image of his strong, naked body from her mind. She was unsuccessful, which only made her blush even more.

“Well?” he demanded. “Why are ye creepin’ intae me bleedin’ bedchamber in the middle of the night then, eh?”

“I—I just—I wanted tae show ye somethin’.”

He shook his head and looked at her, his expression one of confusion darkened by mortification. Magnus pulled his blanket around him tighter. His modesty was not something she had expected but she found it utterly adorable and endearing.

“Show me somethin’? What? Are Fairfax’s men in the castle? Are we under attack?” he asked, sounding suddenly concerned.

“Nay. Naethin’ like that.”

He relaxed, though only slightly, and continued to stare at her partly in annoyance, but partly with curiosity as well.

“Then what?” he asked.

“Just… put on some bleedin’ clothes and come with me.”

“Where are we goin’ then?”

She sighed in frustration. “Stop askin’ questions, put on some clothes, and meet me in the corridor. Come on, hurry up.”

Ciara dashed out of the chamber and pulled the door closed behind her. She leaned against the wall and put her hand to her chest, a quavering smile upon her lips and her cheeks still burning bright, unable to get the image of Magnus’ naked body out of her mind. He looked as if he’d been sculpted from marble, every angle and plane of his body standing out in sharp relief. She’d never seen a man without clothes on before and although she was mortified, she couldn’t say she hadn’t enjoyed seeing Magnus’s body.

She turned away and clapped a hand over her mouth, doing her best to stifle her giggling and slow her racing heart. The feelings flowing through her body were foreign to her, but she knew enough about herself to be aware that she was being consumed by a wanton desire. Some small bit of her was ashamed by such inappropriate feelings. She was a lady, after all. But she couldn’t deny that seeing Magnus in such a state had triggered something deep and primal in her. Something she never knew existed. However, now that the door had opened, she found she couldn’t close it again. What was worse was the fact that she didn’t really want to, either.

The door opened and Magnus, thankfully dressed, stepped out. “All right. So, what dae ye want tae show me at this ungodly hour? Is everythin’ all right?”

“Aye. Everythin’s fine.”

“Then what is this about?”

“I told ye I wanted ye tae learn tae enjoy life a wee bit more, didnae I?”

“Aye. Ye did,” he agreed. “But ye never said ye were goin’ tae dae that in the middle of the bleedin’ night.”

“’Tis the only time I can show ye what I wanted tae show ye.”

“And what is that?”

“Ye’ll see,” she replied. “Come with me.”

Magnus looked as if he wanted to argue further and part of her feared he would refuse to follow her without an explanation. But he inclined his head and motioned for her to lead the way. Ciara looked at him and then quickly turned away, her lips curling in a smile, as an image of his naked form popped into her mind once more.

She led him through the castle, drawing a strange and confused look from the two men posted at the front gates as they passed. Together, they walked through the yard then through the sallyport and across the land bridge that led to the village. Some villagers were already awake and tending to their morning chores, giving them the same strange looks as the guards at the gates had.

“What is this about, Ciara? Where are ye takin’ me?”

“Ye’ll see.”

“I dinnae like this. We shouldnae be out in the middle of the night?—”

“’Tis nae the middle of the night,” she replied. “’Tis far closer tae dawn than ye think.”

The sky above them was already starting to lighten, the dark purple and blue hues gradually giving way as the coming day bled into the night. In the distance, to the east, a thick bank of dark clouds loomed, promising the brutal snowstorm they had been talking about for the last couple of days, but for the moment, the sky was clear, though cold. Ciara thought it promised to be an exceptionally beautiful morning.

She led him down the path that cut through the village and into the woods just beyond. All the while, Magnus followed. He didn’t speak a word and the expression on his face was one of curiosity tinged with a bit of irritation, but he didn’t complain, nor did he object. Ciara glanced over her shoulder and offered him a smile.

“Just a wee bit further,” she said.

“This better be worth draggin’ me out of bed in the dead of night.”

“Like I said, ‘tis close tae dawn.”

“Same thing.”

She laughed. “Trust me. It’ll be worth it. I promise.”

As they continued through the forest with the trees pressing close on either side of the path, Ciara hoped she’d be able to keep to that promise. Hoped that he would be as entranced by what she wanted to show him as she had been. But even if he wasn’t, getting him out there with her in the first place was spontaneous and the first step to teaching him to enjoy and appreciate the simple, yet beautiful things in life as she did.

It was a small thing, but it was something. And that was what counted.