Page 14 of Nyall

That didn’t surprise him. “How fares she?”

The men exchanged a look before the second said, “’Twould seem she’s angry and armed. Lady Valerie warned us no’ intrude on her for any reason save fire or an attack that overruns the stronghold.”

“Do as our lady bid. You’ll live longer.” Nyall reached out and knocked at the door, which opened a few moments later.

Caroline stood barefoot on the other side, and had dressed in a man’s leine and trews that oddly suited her. The bountiful curves he’d admired early looked even more lavish now freed from the confines of her swimming garment. She’d washed the salt from her dark brown hair, which had dried, and shimmered with those intriguing pale golden streaks. She no longer looked parched, either.

“You do keep your promises. How nice.” She leaned against the frame for a moment, pretending ease while she actually looked past him into the passage. “I was wondering if you’d forgotten about me.”

Her biting tone made Nyall considered leaving her alone for the night; her show of open antagonism made him uneasy. With more time her temper might cool, and she’d be more likely to rely upon him. Then he looked into her eyes, and saw the shuttered loneliness and beautiful fury she’d shown when she’d run to him by the bay.

Shall this woman ever relax in my presence, or I in hers?

He removed his sheathed sword and handed it to one of the guards. “If you’re no’ too weary, may we speak, Mistress?”

She looked him over a second time before she stepped back and gestured for him to come inside. Once he did, she closed the door and dragged over a table, using it to block the entry.

“Would you like a drink?” She walked over to the wash stand and poured some of the water from the jug into a goblet. “They keep bringing me food, too, but I’m still not sure about that.”

It took him another moment to work out what she meant; she thought they intended to drug or poison her. “You’ve no’ yet eaten?”

Caroline came over and handed him the goblet, and then brought a plate of food and offered it to him. “Test it for me?”

While Nyall sampled all of the meal for her, he wondered what had compelled her to believe her life in danger. “Mistress Parish, you’re among friends at Dun Ard, I vow. Please, believe me.”

“I went deep diving today believing my ex-boyfriend would protect me. He cut my lines and left me there to die, thirty miles from land.” She nodded at the door. “Valerie said I could trust your guards, only they keep talking about these Finfolk making a claim on me or for me or something like that, and how the clan might have to hand me over to them to keep the peace. Shaw really didn’t like me punching him, either. Then there’s this ring that’s magically welded onto my finger.”

He looked down and for the first time realized blood was dripping from her hand onto the hearth stones. He strode over to her, taking hold of her wrist and jerking up her fingers to inspect them. She’d clenched her hand into a fist to hide what she’d done, and small crescent marks still showed on her wet, red palm.

Through the window slit white light flashed, and the low rumble of thunder echoed through the stronghold, reminding him of his unwelcome new boon.

“I couldn’t get it off with that slimy soap they gave me,” Caroline said, sounding indifferent. “I thought I might work it off with some pressure, but you interrupted and the knife slipped. That sucker really is sharp.”

Too angry with her to speak, Nyall marched her over to the wash stand. Once he’d cleaned off the blood, he saw she’d sliced open her finger from just above the ring to the tip. Taking the linen towel hanging from the stand’s side, he pressed the end to the wound, holding it tightly to stop the bleeding. Only then did he look at her face and see how pale she’d grown.

“Why should you remove the ring when ’tis done naught but protect you, and bring you safely here?” he demanded.

“You think I’m safe.” She nodded as if he’d confirmed something, and jerked her hand from his grasp. “Okay, you can leave.”

He pulled her against him, splaying his hand over the small of her back and using his other hand to fist her hair. When she looked at him, that fury blazing even higher in her eyes, he backed her up against the nearest wall, holding her there with the weight of his body. The sunlight coming through the windows dimmed, and several powerful booms from the gathering storm shook the stronghold.

“Do you think I’d permit anyone harm you?” he demanded.

“I don’t know you. I’m locked up in a magic castle on an enchanted Scottish island in the twelfth century. If that’s true, it’s insane. If that’s not true, I’m insane.” Caroline tilted her head back. “Are you going to take back what you said about hitting women, or kissing them? Looks like you want to do both to me.”

Somehow he kept himself from putting his mouth on hers, although he could think of nothing he wanted more in that moment.

“I shall send away the facking guards. Shaw’s left the stronghold. In the morning we shall meet with Jamaran so you may hear his offer and refuse him. Then I shall show you the island.” He nodded as her eyes widened. “Indeed, I shall taste your food and drink for you at every meal, if ’tis your wish. Put your faith in me, Caroline, and I shall see you never ken a moment of regret.”

“Too late for that.” Her mouth tightened. “Let go of me now, Captain, or I’m going to hurt you.”

Only when Nyall released her and stepped back did he see the ballocks blade he’d given her in her uninjured hand. From the angle, she had held it ready to thrust between two of his ribs. As an immortal he healed from most wounds, but a dagger to the heart could end him. Had she struck, he’d lay dead on the floor now.

“Why?” he asked. “I saved your life, and now you threaten mine?”

“Let’s review,” Caroline said, her tone pleasant. “You and the fish guy dragged me out of the water to a beach where a very weird man with scary eyes and moving tats was waiting. After I very reasonably punch tats guy for being grabby, he looks like he wants to kill me with his bare hands and maybe his teeth. From there you haul me up here to Neverland castle, where supposedly none of your thousand or so half-Fae brothers ever get any older. I’m supposed to believe a ring I found in the ocean that belonged to your dead sister-in-law did all this with your dead father’s magic. If you were me, what would you think?”

“I ken ’tis maddening, but all said, ’tis truth.” Nyall fought back the anger and desire that raged inside him. “I shall keep my word, Mistress, whether you trust me or no’.”