The Warrior Trainer (18 page)

   "Why should you care?" Griffin asked.

   "I could name several reasons, none of which you would believe. So spare us both." Ian reached out and stopped the blade of grass from spinning. "Talk. Now."

   Griffin pulled the grass out of Ian's hand and tossed it to the ground. "Why do you always fit in with others no matter where you go?" He kept his gaze averted.

   Ian stilled at the falsehood behind Griffin's words, but at least they were getting closer to the truth. "Fit in? I have been an outcast all my life."

   "You were both father and mother's favorite child." Griffin's gaze snapped to Ian's. "You were always so confident in your actions."

   "Mother and father tried to make amends for the way the rest of the clan treated me. They loved you and Malcolm just as much. Perhaps our parents were harder on you and Malcolm because they expected more from their true sons." Ian braced himself for the usual hurt that followed the thought that he mattered so little. It did not come this time. Why?

  
You matter to me
. Scotia's words played across his mind. One statement from her had helped heal a lifetime of hurt. A movement to his left drew Ian's gaze. Scotia and Lizbet emerged from the lists. A smile beamed across Lizbet's young face as she poked and slashed the air with a wooden sword.

   Scotia cared what happened to him. If he were honest with himself and with her, he would tell her that sentiment was exactly the reason he must now leave her castle and her behind. He did not want her to meet the same end as Malcolm. Not when he could do something to stop it.

   Griffin looked at Ian expectantly. "So where do we go from here?"

   Ian allowed his gaze to trail Scotia and Lizbet as they walked across the outer bailey to the large iron gate that separated the castle from the rest of the world beyond. "Will you promise me something?"

   Griffin frowned. "Depends."

   "I leave today. If you remain, will you cease your challenges to Scotia? Protect her instead?"

   His brother's gaze sharpened. "I have never been good at keeping promises, not even the promise I made to Father when he told me about the—" Griffin grinned. "There I go again."

   Something to do with Scotia, no doubt, judging by the look of satisfaction that shone in Griffin's eyes. "About what?"

   Griffin's gaze suddenly became smug. "Her tunnel. There. That is the big secret Father revealed to me. Scotia might be a mighty trainer, but she is not very bright to leave a tunnel along the shoreline at the base of her castle unguarded."

   "Why would Father tell you of such a place?"

   Griffin smiled. "He begrudgingly revealed its presence to me when I told him I would follow you here. He feared you would slay me where I stood for abandoning the clan. He wanted me to have a chance to explain my presence before you sliced me down."

   "So instead of using the tunnel for that purpose, you chose to attack Scotia instead?" Ian kept his words light and teasing, putting aside the anger the memory brought to him. Bashing his brother over the head with his misdeeds had never solved problems between them.

   Griffin's smile slipped. "I was angry. Father had chosen you over me once again. I wanted to hurt you, not her. I figured the fastest way to do that was to take away your 'trainer' and gain what I could from her title and lands."

   "Scotia is not the problem here."

   "I know." Griffin looked away, his expression solemn.

   Ian knew that his thoughts also turned to the real reason they were both at Glencarron Castle.

   "The Four Horsemen are a real and deadly threat against Scotland," Ian said, fighting the turbulence their very names stirred in his blood. "If I cannot stop them, then it will be your duty to stop them, Griffin."

   "You mean to go after them alone? Why not take Scotia's army with you?"

   "As soon as her seasoned warriors return with information, she sends them back out to aid the fighting. What few warriors remain at the castle are needed here. Promise me you will complete your training, then take what you learn back to the clan. Teach the others. If you wanted more responsibility when you came here, little brother, you have it now. Scotia will help you strike these raiders and murderers down once and for all if you work with her instead of against her."

   Griffin brought his gaze back to Ian's. "You really believe she has that much power? A woman?"

   "Her sex matters not. She is a skilled and knowledgeable warrior. The best I have ever seen. Listen to what she can teach you."

   Griffin narrowed his gaze. "If that is true, then why are you leaving?"

   "Because I must," Ian replied flatly, hoping his brother would let the matter drop. For him, there could be no other outcome.

   Griffin's eyes clouded and his expression became sad. "It is guilt that drives you. You want revenge because of Malcolm's death."

   "Someone must see justice served."

   Griffin shook his head. "I blamed you unfairly for his death. I was just as much to blame."

   Ian got to his feet, uncomfortable with the direction their conversation had taken. As next eldest son, it was his responsibility to right those wrongs. Nothing more remained to be said. "Promise me you will stay with Scotia. Learn from her." Keep her safe.

   A frown pulled down Griffin's brow. "You are certain you want to leave here?
”

   "Positive." Ian held out his right hand to his brother.

Griffin released a sigh. He joined his hand with Ian's and for the first time Ian noted an awakening of maturity in his brother's gaze. "You have my word."

Chapter Sixteen

   From the mock tournament field she had created just inside the front gate, Scotia glanced away from her opponent. Ian strode toward her. Their gazes met and locked. For a timeless moment she stared into the depths of his dark and unreadable eyes and felt a rush of warmth tease her cheeks. Whenever he drew near, she could not look anywhere but at him.

   "I must speak to you. In private," he said, his voice thick and rich.

   She knew then what his features did not betray. He had come to say good-bye. The thought brought with it a stab of loss, and for a brief moment Scotia allowed the emotion to linger. When he walked out her gate, he would never return. She would gladly suffer that reality if it guaranteed his survival. Because suddenly, a world without Ian in it seemed a much lonelier place.

   With an effort, Scotia returned her attention to Lizbet.

   "Lizbet, I shall teach you more swordplay in a while. For now, please go to Maisie and Burke over there near the mews. They will take you inside the castle for a rest."

   When the child's lip turned down in a pout, she added, "All great warriors need times of rest after their training."

"Then I shall rest," Lizbet agreed, and reluctantly turned and headed to the mews.

   Alone in Ian's presence, Scotia stood on unsteady legs.

   "Scotia—"

   "Will anything I say dissuade you?"

   "Nay," he said. "I must avenge my brother's death."

   "Then you are a fool."

   "Aye, a fool who wants to keep the people he cares about safe from further harm." He reached up to smooth a finger against the curve of her cheek.

   Scotia tried to still the rioting sensations he created on her cheek with his featherlight touch. "I have spoken to Griffin. He will remain with you to complete his training. If he challenges you, you have my permission to sever his arms or skewer him through the heart." He offered her a wry grin. "Whichever you prefer."

   "How kind of you. I can take care of Griffin should the need arise."

   "I believe you can."

   At the clatter of hoofbeats on the packed earth, Scotia turned toward the stables. A stable boy lead Ian's horse toward them, saddled and ready for travel. She stepped back, away from Ian's touch. "This is good-bye, then."

   "Aye." He did not elaborate on his plans, likely so she could not do something so foolish as to follow him.

   "If you are ready, then go." She kept her gaze averted, not wanting him to see the sudden racing of her pulse or the emptiness that must surely show on her face. "Be quick about it."

   She motioned to Poppie, the gatekeeper, to open the portcullis. The grinding of the heavy chains cut through the silence of the nearly empty outer bailey. Scotia tensed, waiting for Ian to step away, to swing up on his horse and ride out of her castle and her life.

   A sound rose from his throat. Instead of moving away, he pulled her into his arms. With a gasp, she brought her gaze to his.

   His eyes were nearly black. "Until we meet again."

   He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. Scotia meant to resist, but found herself leaning into his arms. Her hand slid up the softness of his linen shirt, feeling the tautness of his muscles beneath.

   Scotia's heart lurched in her chest. How could he melt her resolve with a mere kiss? She had always thought she was stronger than that.

   When his tongue flicked against her lips, teasing, inviting, Scotia knew she was lost and retaliated in the only way she could. Sliding her hands around his shoulders, she kissed him back, letting him part her lips and, when his tongue probed, she welcomed the invasion.

   She felt his sharp intake of breath a moment before he pulled away, releasing her as suddenly as he had claimed her. "I must go."

   He strode to his horse and swung up into the saddle. Without looking back he headed through the gate.

   Her vision clouded as she stared after him, but she tilted up her chin and kept her back straight, refusing to give in to her tears. The Warrior Trainer did not cry.

   It took only a moment for her vision to clear. When it did, she saw not only Ian upon his horse at the brink of the gate, but another warrior as well.

   The man stood statue-still, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as the early afternoon sun washed the air in gold and gray.

   Scotia drew her sword. A challenger. The telltale glint of victory in his eyes revealed all she needed to know.

   "Are you the mighty Warrior Trainer?” the man asked with a definite French accent.

   "Aye."

   The challenger strode forward onto the castle grounds.

   The whisper of Ian's sword as he released it from the scabbard drew Scotia's gaze. "Halt, Ian. You will not interfere."

   "I shall not allow this challenge to continue."

   "You were leaving last I remember." Scotia brought her gaze back to the foreigner. Beneath the rugged animal pelts he wore as a cloak and laced up over his lower legs she could see he was tall and well-muscled. Strength would give him an advantage, but she still had speed and agility on her side.

   Scotia raised her broadsword in salute. The challenger smiled a gruesome smile and did the same.

   "Are you ready to die so that I may be known as the man who brought the woman warrior down?"