Page 38 of Darro

“I worried a wee bit about my size with her, but ’twasnae until I saw the old bastart later on the other side and spoke of…” He stopped and frowned. “Bodach attempted to cast a spell through the barrier, I reckon to cause me to fear him and run away. Only I was thinking of Mistress Martinez in that moment. Could I fear her instead because of his magic?”

“He used his power to move an entire castle into an eternal time loop,” she reminded him. “So, anything is possible. But maybe we’re jumping the gun to blame it on that. Before you saw Bodach, was there a particular reason you didn’t want to become involved with Ms. Martinez?”

“Look at me,” he said, his shoulders slumping. “I’m three times her size, and so much stronger. Indeed, I could snap her bones with two fingers.”

“Honestly, Chieftain, the only way you can injure her is by what you’re doing now.” Olivia smiled at his incredulous reaction. “It hurts when someone that you like pushes you away. Alec tried to do that with me, remember? He thought he was too dangerous for me to handle. I had to beat him up in the lists to get him to see that I’m not helpless.”

For a moment Darro looked confused, and then his brows drew together. “I’m too busy attending to my duties to spare time for the lady. Mistress Martinez doesnae wish remain here, either. We’ve no future together.”

“Then just have some fun,” she said. “You don’t have to fall in love with Esme, become a couple or even marry her. You can just have a fling.”

“A fling.” He shuddered as if she’d suggested he infect himself with leprosy.

“It means to spend time together and become lovers but without any commitment.” Olivia tried to think of how to better explain it. “You fling away your inhibitions but you don’t worry about making it permanent. That’s what she meant by wanting to become friends with benefits.”

“I cannae do thus with her. She’s too small, too delicate to risk such.” Darro bowed to her. “My thanks, my lady.”

Olivia watched him stride out of the solar, and then walked over to where the love of her life stood silently in the shadows.

“He’s so upset he didn’t notice you slip inside.” She spoke slower now so he could read her lips more easily.

“Aye.” Alec took her into his arms. “You yelled at one of the maids this morn?”

“Una. Elspeth wanted to bring her back to work in the stronghold.” Olivia sighed. “It’s okay. I know a lot of the maids have been teasing her since she got stable duty, and it’s not really the kind of work she can do. I just can’t forgive her for what she said about Grace after she was burned.”

“Ever you struggle with forgiveness, as do I.” He kissed her brow. “If the maid causes trouble again, I’ll bid Farlan send her to the laundry. As for Darro, he’s too distracted by that wee beauty. I shall speak with him on the morrow when my hearing returns.”

“Then he’ll think that I told you,” she countered. “Let your brother and the journalist work this out themselves. Even if he was enchanted by Bodach, I don’t think the spell will stick much longer.”

He tipped up her chin and rubbed his thumb over her lips before he asked, “And how do you ken such, Wife?”

“You weren’t the only one listening, my darling.” She grinned and stood on her toes to kiss him.