Chapter 10
"Iken that look," Killian said as he pulled the bow back and let the arrow fly. Holding his breath, he waited until the arrow made its mark before letting it out. A smile stretched across his smug face as he turned his attention to Fraser.
"Me laird, I daenae think bein' out here is a good idea," Fraser said in hushed tones as Killian continued his inspection of the training camp.
"What are ye worried about? It's nae as if it's yer neck on the line," Killian said. "But unlike ye, I'll nae hide from death. Let it come in whatever form it may."
Fraser arched his eyebrow as he plucked an arrow from the quiver. The gray metal shimmered by the golden light of the sun streaming through the canopy. Snatching the arrow from Fraser, Killian slipped it into place and pulled it back.
"See, it's that sort of attitude that isnae helpful," Fraser grumbled. "What good will ye be to this clan if ye’re dead?"
Killian glared at Fraser as Killian's last arrow zagged and veered from the target. "For starters, I daenae frolic. And second, that shot doesnae count."
"Aye, it does count," Fraser hissed as he followed Killian down the clearing to the targets. "If ye dinnae want it to, ye shouldnae have put it to the string."
"Do ye have a purpose here other than to torment me?" Killian grumbled as he plucked the arrows out of the hay.
"More cattle have gone missin'," Fraser explained. "We've put men out in the pastures, but we're still nae catchin' the culprits."
"That's because ye have someone inside workin' with him," Killian said through gritted teeth.
The fact that so many of his clan men distrusted him grated on his nerves.
Why couldn't they see that he did everything to ensure their safety?
Yet, no matter which way he turned, they accused him of being mad.
Killian let out a heavy sigh. At least he was granted a certain freedom with such a title.
After all, no one dared challenge his commands.
"I thought that as well, but who? Each one of those men have been hand-picked. We can trust them," Fraser said. "But there's one person who's come recently that could be the very person we've been lookin' for."
"Fraser, ye ken I see ye as a brother. So please choose yer next words very carefully," Killian warned. His voice was smooth and as slick as ice.
"We still daenae ken anythin' about the healer that was brought to ye," Fraser said. Killian closed his eyes as his mind filled with thoughts of Leah. How he wished he was in her company instead of Fraser's.
"Enough," Killian snapped. "Leah is nay more a spy or the cause for our distress than I am."
"Ye daenae ken that and what burns me the most is the fact that ye daenae even see her as a threat. What happened? When ye looked at her did all yer wit leave ye?" Fraser berated as Killian started back down the clearing to the starting marker.
"If I thought she was a threat, I would nae have decided to use her," Killian snapped. The need to defend Leah was overwhelming. It was as if he was putting his life on the line to spare her name to be dragged through the mud.
"Ye’re usin' her? That's original, because from where I'm at, all I've seen is ye bend over to appease her," Fraser said.
"What are ye goin' on about?"
"The dresses," Fraser huffed as he threw his arms up in frustration. "And the not so stolen glimpses and touches. The whole castle is goin' on about it and if ye were hopin' that the council wouldnae catch wind of yer little affair, well that's out the window as well."
A swirl of pride spun around Killian's head, intoxicating him. Setting the bow and arrows down, Killian stretched as he took in the world around him. The birds were chirping, the sky was clear, and his plan was slowly coming to fruition.
"And why do ye look like the cat that swallowed the canary?" Fraser asked. "I tell ye we have problems and ye want to float away like ye’re a cloud or somethin'. Well snap out of it."
Before Killian could duck, Fraser's hand crashed against his face, instantly bringing Killian back to reality.
"Are ye listenin'? Good?" Fraser scolded. "Now ye put me as yer man of arms for a reason, and I believe Leah may have somethin' to do with the attacks to the clan."
"And I'm tellin' ye she has nothin' to do with any of this. Leah is just an innocent caught in the crossfire," Killian snapped as he rubbed the pain from his cheek. "But since ye’re so adamant, what exactly is it that ye propose I do about it?"
Fraser stopped and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
Killian didn't know whether he wanted to hit him back or let it slide.
Sure, Fraser was one of the few people he trusted with his life.
But the fact that Fraser didn't like Leah bothered Killian.
It was like poison to his very soul. So, if there was something he could do to put his friend's mind at ease, well, that is what he would do.
"We've got to trap her somehow," Fraser said as he began pacing before Killian. "Most women will use their assets to tempt. But just how far will she go for the game?"
"What are ye goin' on about?" Killian asked as Fraser paused as if his whole body was frozen.
"Well, I just cannae help but notice how plots against ye have increased since she's been here. If she's involved—"
"She's nae," Killian interrupted.
"But if she is, then her job will be to get closer to ye.
We need to work with that," Fraser said as he continued to plot.
"I've got it. Treat her like one of the lasses in the tavern.
Get handsy with her a bit. See how far she's willin' to let ye go.
If there's nay boundaries, ye can be sure she's hired help. "
"And if she passes this test of yers, will yer mistrust toward her be quelled?" Killian asked, arching a warning eyebrow.
"Aye," Fraser said begrudgingly. "But I'm tellin' ye, I daenae have a good feelin' about this one. The fact that so much has happened while she's been here, ye ken how I feel about coincidences."
"Ye have nothin' to worry about," Killian reassured Fraser with a sturdy pat on his shoulder. "Leah is loyal to me."
"And ye ken this how? Oh lord, please tell me ye dinnae already sleep with the lass," Fraser bemoaned. "She's gotten to yer head hasnae she? Already spinnin' her web of lies. And here ye are takin' it hook, line and sinker."
Killian grabbed Fraser by his shoulders and held the man in place. With a stern glare, Killian made certain to dispel all doubt from Fraser's mind.
"I'll do this for ye," Killian said, his tone stern and conviction tainting each word. "But when this is over, ye'll nae question Leah again. Is that understood?"
Fraser opened his mouth to say something but quickly slammed it closed. He pulled in a long, deep breath as he slowly bobbed his head. It was exactly the convicted answer Killian wanted, but he wasn't going to press the matter. At least, not until he had solid proof that Leah wasn't out to get him.
"Ye'll need to request somethin' so out of character for her that it'll be clear which side of this issue she is on," Fraser said.
"I ken what it is ye’re askin' me to do. Ye daenae need to be beatin' a dead horse," Killian huffed as he dropped his hands and started for the castle.
"Are ye sure about that? Because with yer track record, I'm goin' to have to say yer lack of interest in resolvin' the matter is rather questionable," Fraser said.
"And now ye’re startin' to sound like Alan," Killian chuckled darkly.
"Well, maybe that's nae such a bad thin'," Fraser said. "If he's the only person ye'll listen to."
"If ye think that Alan has issues with Leah, ye'll be sorely mistaken. Alan loves our new healer," Killian said as he pulled open the door.
"And I daenae think he's the only one," Fraser mumbled just loud enough for Killian's ears. Killian glared at Fraser and shook his head. It wasn't love rolling about inside Killian, was it?
Sure, he found it difficult to concentrate lately, but with everything going on around him, who could blame him? It was as if he was trying to play one hundred games of chess and struggling to keep up. However, there was one thing Killian was certain of above all things: Leah could be trusted.
"Watch yerself," Killian scolded as he flashed Fraser a warning glance. "I've agreed to test Leah, that doesnae mean that ye'll get to gloat over the outcome."
"Me? Gloat? I daenae ken what ye’re talkin' about," Fraser jested as movement caught Killian's attention.
It was the flush of blue that drew his eye to the library.
Leah strolled past the door with her nose in the book.
Seeing her so relaxed made Killian's chest tighten and his breath hitch.
She was the loveliest thing he had ever seen, and he knew that with each passing day, it would be harder for him to let her go.
"Aye," Killian managed to get out as Fraser shook his head the moment he spotted Leah.
"Ye gonna keep pretendin' that there's nothin' goin' on between the two of ye?" Fraser grumbled as Killian felt his judgmental glare on his back.
"There's nothin' that ye need to be concerned over," Killian answered. "The relationship is merely a ruse, and nothin' more. She'll be the one to help weed out me foes."
"And if she ends up bein' one of yer foes?" Fraser pressed.
"She's nae."
"Then prove it," Fraser hissed in Killian's ear. "See for yerself just how far she's willin' to go for ye. Every lass has a threshold, ye just need to find hers and when ye do, ye'll ken whether she's loyal to ye or nae."
"I already ken she's loyal to me," Killian said over his shoulder. "This test is to prove it to ye. And I'm goin' to hold ye to yer word. She passes and ye'll leave her be."
"Aye," Fraser grumbled as he let out a heavy sigh. "Ye have me word. She passes and I'll even walk her down the aisle meself."
"Then the deal is struck," Killian said. "I will prove to ye, Leah is an honorable woman and ye'll be owin' her an apology soon enough."