Page 65 of Highland Spy

She’d slept in many a forest in her travels to Kindrochit, and on even colder ground, but she’d had the heat and comfort of Liv beside her to curl against. She missed her friend now and tried to tamp down the swell of pain in her heart at the thought of Liv lying so weakly in her bed back at the castle.

Something rustled out in the woods beyond.

Leaves, most likely.

Or squirrels.

But possibly wolves.

Yes, wolves would make such a sound while brushing through the foliage.

In her mind’s eye she saw yellow, ravenous eyes glinting in the darkness, the beast salivating for the meat of her body, the heat of her blood.

She sunk lower into her makeshift bed and pulled the rough fabric over her scrunched-shut eyes. It offered little solace and only pushed her thoughts down deeper, more macabre paths.

Her hand curled around the cold comfort of her dagger.

Wind pushed against her, ruthless and wild. It bit through her simple blanket and teased the marrow of her bones until she was left trembling.

She pushed her face free and sucked in a freezing breath of air. The moon shone bright overhead, full faced and mocking her fear.

Just over the fire between them, Connor slept. His deep breath came even, like the slow, steady beat of a calm heart.

How she longed for his warm security. To feel the strength of his embrace.

She tucked her legs against her stomach in an effort to ward off both the chill and her childish, foolish fears.

To no avail.

A snuffing sounded in the woods beyond, followed by a howl so close it cut through the thin shield of her bravery and pierced her fears beneath.

She leapt to her feet and bunched her blanket up at her breast.

The moonlight shone down on the empty clearing.

Ariana’s heart still tapped out a rapid beat.

Foolish.

She was foolish.

But she could not convince her heart of it.

She glanced at Connor’s sleeping form once more and her decision was made before she allowed herself to accept.

Her feet moved of their own volition.

She laid her blanket beside his, careful not to wake him.

“What is it?” His voice was gravelly with sleep.

Ariana pursed her lips, unwilling to give voice to her ridiculous unease.

“It’s cold,” she said finally.

When he did not protest her proximity, she smoothed her blanket and slid in beside him. His arm came around her, covering her with the wide expanse of the plaid he usually wore slung over his shoulder, securing them in the length of wool together.

His heat and his strength hugged her in a glorious cocoon. Warmth seeped in through her chilled skin and heated everything frozen within her. A hum of contentment vibrated in her throat and sleep lured her closer.