Chapter 23
"We are runnin' out of time, Killian," Fraser said as he ran his fingers through his short brown hair once more. "The ceilidh begins tomorrow at noon. We daenae have the resources to secure every area ye see a threat. We just cannae do it."
"Then find me someone who will," Killian growled as the candlelight drew long shadows that flickered and danced across the stone walls of the study. Killian leaned over the rough-hewn table, studying the battle plans before him.
How many times he had looked over the frayed map with his father?
How many times had he remade the map after a conquest or victory?
It was far too many times. By all accounts, Killian should have known the map like the back of his hand.
Yet, as he stared at it, he couldn't help but wish he had his father's insight.
His father had a gift to spot the danger before it came.
Of course, he couldn't see when Killian struck unless, of course, he had been counting on Killian to make the deadly blow.
Killian swallowed hard as he squeezed his hand to stop the trembling of his fingers.
It was bad enough that his life was on the line; the fact that he was putting Leah there, too unnerved him.
Was he turning out to be just like his father?
Was he willing to go the distance and sacrifice everything, including Leah, to secure his future?
"I have ken ye a long time," Fraser stated as he stood straighter, clearly offended by Killian's lack of trust in him. "And I have stood by ye over the years when nay one else would. Do ye remember?"
"Aye," Killian answered, refusing to look up from the map. "What of it? Are ye leavin' on the eve of battle? Is that what ye’re doin'?"
"Can ye hear yerself? Ye've thought someone was out to kill ye since the lairdship was handed over to ye," Fraser said as Killian felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. He didn't know where Fraser was going with this conversation, but one thing was certain: he wasn't liking it.
"And have I nae proved to ye that they are? Or was Vance's testimony nae good enough for ye?"
"That is nae what I mean," Fraser said, lifting his hands in surrender.
"All I'm sayin' is why are ye wantin' so much soldiers around?
Ye've never had this many in the past. And I've wracked me brain thinkin' about it, and the only thing I can reason with is ye got feelings for the lass.
It's the reason ye want so many people protectin' the event. Ye’re nae concerned with yer safety, but hers. "
Killian flexed his jaw and pulled in a long, deep breath. "She is a guest and should be protected at all costs."
"And what of ye? Do ye nae need protection? The assassin is comin' for ye, nae her."
"Aye, but if they are anythin' like the others who have come before, then what do I have to fear?
They're all incompetent. Let them come so I can rid myself of them once and for all," Killian said as he glared at Fraser, daring him to oppose him.
"But I do nae think too fondly on puttin' an innocent in the line of danger.
Which is why I want all these open areas covered durin' the event. "
"It willnae be easy," Fraser said.
"It will if Leah remains by me side the entire evenin'."
"The sooner ye make yer announcement, the better.
Ye daenae want to wait too long," Fraser said as Killian leaned back and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
Something about the whole thing didn't sit well with him.
Was it the lack of men? Or the fact that he was trusting men he wasn't certain was on his side. The lack of loyalty unnerved him.
"What if I daenae make one at all?" Killian asked, a bit amused by the thought of having the council in an uproar.
"Ye heard them," Fraser chimed in, ruining Killian's fantasy. "If ye daenae pick a lass, they have one ready for ye. There will be nay way of gettin' out of tomorrow night a bachelor. The sooner ye come to that conclusion the better off ye'll be."
Killian hated the fact Fraser was right. No matter which way he tossed the dice, he'd be engaged. It wasn't something Killian had given much thought to. He had always assumed he'd be alone. After all, what lass in her right mind would want someone so vulgar and short-fused?
"So?" Fraser's simple question pulled Killian from his thoughts.
"What were ye sayin'?"
"Why is it that ever since that healer came to the castle, yer head has been somewhere else? Ye cannae afford to have yer head in the clouds while ye’re plottin' yer enemies downfall. Just doesnae work like that."
Killian arched his eyebrow and puffed his chest out. No words or commands needed to be given for Fraser to understand Killian was in charge. Clearing his throat, Fraser turned his attention to the map on the table.
"I was givin' a bit more thought to yer idea about stallin'," Fraser said, changing the subject as quickly as possible. "It willnae matter. I think the hit will come when the killer has a clear shot. I daenae think it will matter who is standin' next to ye."
"It will if I turn the wrong way, or they step in the way at the last minute.
Why are we even discussin' this? We should be goin' over the area and seein' where potential threats could be.
Who kens, we might be overshootin' the target zone completely," Killian said as he heard a light rap on the study door.
"Expectin' someone?" Fraser asked as they swiftly cleared the figurines from the map and rolled it up.
"Come in," Fraser called as soon as Killian gave the word. The moment the door opened, Killian caught the scent of wildflowers mixed with herbs. It was a smell that followed Leah around like a lost puppy.
"Aye?" Fraser asked as Killian tried not to pay her any heed. He didn't dare look her in the eye for fear of having her read him like a book. If there was one thing Leah was exceptional at, it was shining a light on his darkest bits. "And what do ye want lass? We're a bit busy here, so…"
"Tis five o'clock," Leah answered. There was a pain to her tone that perked Killian's ear.
He dared to steal a glimpse of her, but just that split second was enough to see she wasn't doing well.
The rouge that often touched her cheeks was gone, as was the smile she often wore that touched her eyes.
And as much as Killian wanted to ask what was troubling her, he didn't dare ask.
"Aye, so ye can read time, well done, lass," Fraser said, his tone turning a bit too hostile for Killian's liking. "Now go away. We've far too much to do tonight."
"If that is what me laird wishes," Leah said and gave a low bow that made Killian stop to take notice. She'd never acted so obedient before, and her behavior was starting to concern Killian.
"What are ye doin' here, lass?" Killian asked as he slapped the book he was holding shut. Keeping his eyes transfixed on her, Killian moved to the fireplace.
"I thought ye wanted a report on yer brother," Leah answered. "If ye prefer I leave, then I shall go."
"Aye," Killian answered with a nod of his head. "I daenae see the purpose of yer visits any longer."
"What?" Leah asked, her voice pitching with shock and confusion. "I daenae understand. Do ye want me to have Elsie give ye reports?"
"There's nay point," Killian answered as he tried to keep himself busy with the papers before him. But the truth was, he couldn't read a single word on any of the pages. All his focus was on not letting Leah see him crack.
"Killian," Leah whispered as her attention shifted to Fraser for a moment. Killian watched as she mulled over the audience. "Why are ye doin' this?"
"What exactly is it I am doin'?" Killian asked, keeping his tone steady and sure.
"Ye ken very well what it is ye’re doin' and I daenae appreciate it," Leah said through clenched teeth. She dared to steal a step closer. Her scent flowed off her skin and swirled around him like an intoxicating liquor.
"Leah, for what it is worth," Killian said as he moved closer to her.
In the soft afternoon light pouring in through the bay window, Killian studied Leah.
"I honestly daenae have a clue as to what ye’re talkin' about.
Now, I am very busy, as Fraser here mentioned.
So if there is nay other matter of business, I think ye should go. "
"But," Leah started to protest, only to clamp her mouth shut and turn on her heel. Killian watched as she stormed out of his study. He didn't like making her mad, but it was the only way he could think of to keep her safe, at least until he could catch the assassin.
"I'm goin' to make a parameter run and see what I can," Fraser said as he collected his notebooks into a neat pile. "I'll take some notes, and maybe we can have a better plan executed tomorrow during the party."
"Should I cancel it?" Killian asked as he took a deep breath, savoring the remnants of Leah's scent.
"Where is this sort of thinkin' comin' from? When have ye ever backed down from a fight? It's this lass, isnae it? She's got yer head all mixed up. Maybe ye should rethink yer plan. If ye daenae want her hurt, then take her out of the situation."
"And become engaged to one of the daughters from the council? Nay thank ye. I'd rather rot under the muck from the stalls for a week than be linked to one of those girls. Nae that they're nae pretty," Killian said as he wondered how he was going to talk his way out of this one.
"Then come to terms that ye may end up losin' the lass," Fraser said. "Because ye ken as well as I do, when the swords start swingin' accidents can happen."
"Make notes when ye go around the castle and keep yer ear to the ground. I'm sure someone somewhere will slip up and tip the scales in our favor," Killian said. Although hopeful, the enthusiasm was lacking in his voice.
"Aye," Fraser said. "Ye need nae worry, everythin' will be ready. We will be ready for whatever comes at us."
Killian glanced out the window to catch the setting sun as his heart yearned to be with Leah. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something, and it was about to cost him everything. "I hope ye’re right, for all our sakes."