She was a tempty morsel, but Artairs hunger was for information and food and he intended to a.s.suage both as soon as possible.

The meal was amazingly delicious, and the men ate with vigor, not one of them mentioning anything about witches. With everyone relaxed, conversation was lively, and when all the meat had been cleaned from the bones, James stood and volunteered for the first watch.

Thats not necessary, Zia informed him.

And why is that? Artair asked.

These woods are safe.

No woods are safe, Artair said.

These woods are. Trust me.

James glanced around the landscape skeptically. Are there wee folk about?

James! Artair warned sternly.

Dont tell me you dont believe, James argued. You heard yourself how the wee folk stole all of Boggs coins and left him near the river to almost drown.

Bogg drank himself drunk and had to concoct a good tale to appease his wife, or shed have drowned him herself.

The others laughed.

He knew no one would dare speak against the wee folk, Artair finished. Bogg used his head, once it cleared, and told a tale that keeps growing taller with each telling.

The other men nodded in agreement.

James looked to Zia for clarification. If not the wee folk, then how are these woods safe?

Sentinels.

Artair sprang to his feet, he and his men drawing their swords as Nessie sprinted to his side.

Chapter 3.

Your weapons are not necessary, Zia said. Besides, they are useless. Our sentinels are excellent archers. If they intended to kill you, you would have been dead when you first stepped on our land.

Artair ordered his men to put away their swords. They have been watching us all day? he asked.

Zia could see uncertainty in his eyes. He was probably debating his next move, though ordering his men to sheath their weapons was a wise choice. She didnt wish him to suffer needlessly. After all, he had saved her life.

There is nothing for you to fear. They will not harm you. They are there to protect our land.

Our land? Artair questioned.

The village Black. It belongs to all of us who live there, though it is named after my family, who founded it. Believe me, Artair, we mean you and your men no harm. The village is probably grateful you rescued me.

How would they know? I have only rescued you today.

He was quick-witted, though cautious and he seemed to apply sound reason to his decisions. He had realized fast enough that the only way he would be able to have what he wanted from her was to free her and he had paid handsomely for the decision. And he hadnt hesitated in paying the coins, which made her realize how important his brother Ronan was to him.

It seemed every step he took was toward finding his brother, and she couldnt blame him. If she had a missing sibling, she would do the same. Unfortunately, she was alone, without father or mother, but she was ever so grateful to have her grandmother.

They keep track of my whereabouts, she answered, not ready to admit to the odd connection between her and her grandmother.

You give me your word that we are safe? he asked.

Strange, but comforting, that he would accept her word. It meant he trusted her, and that pleased her.

You have my word that no one will hurt you or your men. The sentinels protect from danger. You and your men are no danger to us. You can rest easy tonight.

Artair signaled his men that there was no threat, and the other three men spread their blankets and sought a good nights sleep.

He however did not, and Zia knew he intended to speak with her. She was ready. Actually, she looked forward to the discussion. Artair intrigued her. He had remained calm and in control throughout the whole ordeal in the village as if none of it had disturbed him. Even now he seemed in control and unperturbed, and she couldnt understand why that troubled her.

His men were soon snoring around the campfire, and she and Artair were left to themselves, Nessie cuddling beside her. It didnt take long for him to begin questioning her about Ronan.

My brother was brought here to your village?

She had questions of her own as she responded with a nod. Ronan made mention of three brothers.

Cavan, the oldest; then theres me; Lachlan follows; with Ronan the youngest.

Ronan worried about Cavan.

Cavan and Ronan were captured by barbarians during a battle. They were separated, and Cavan finally returned home after a year of captivity. He worries daily over Ronans fate, Artair said. He also worries about his new wife, Honora, who is to give birth in a couple of months.

And Lachlan? Is he wed?

That brought a smile to Artairs face. Lachlan wed? Not likely. He likes women too much, as they do him.

Ronan missed you all, especially his father and mother.

Artairs joy vanished as quickly as a snuffed out candle, and Zia realized the news wasnt good.

Our father was murdered a few months ago, and while the culprit was caught and punished, my heart breaks to have to tell Ronan.

I am sorry for your loss. It must be difficult for your mother.

She claims she is fine, but we all see how much she misses our father. They were together many years and never tired of each other. I never heard either of them speak ill of the other. They respected and loved each other from the day they met.

They made a good match.

A perfect match, my father claimed, and urged all his sons to do the same.

You look for a perfect woman? she asked, curious.

His smile returned. There is no such thing.

Isnt there?

No man or woman is perfect.

Zia sighed dramatically. When youre in love, everything is perfect.

You know this from experience?

No, only from what Ive been told, though Im looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. And what of you? she asked. Have you known love?

No, duty comes before love.

Zias eyes popped wide. You would marry out of duty?

I almost did, he said. Cavans wife Honora was to be my bride. We even exchanged vows.

She gasped. What happened?

Cavan returned on my wedding day, but due to the marriage papers stating that Honora was to wed the next chief of the clan Sinclare, she was actually wed to Cavan and not me.

You had no feelings for her at all?

I barely knew her. What mattered was that I was doing my duty as the next clan chieftain.

But you said your father encouraged you to find love.

Artair nodded. Yes he did, and I chose a woman who I felt would make a good wife, and in time I believed we would grow to care for each other.

Caring for a wife is far different from loving her.

Caring is an essential part of love, he argued.

I care for many. I wish to love"pa.s.sionately love"the man I wed.

Pa.s.sion eventually dies; caring lasts forever.

She smiled. Pa.s.sion only dies if you let it, and it is not only the pa.s.sion of intimacy I refer to, it is pure pa.s.sion for life. She stretched her hands up to the night sky. Life is full of pa.s.sion. You only need embrace it.

Artair stared at her, his eyes narrowing.

You think me crazy, she laughed. But I will take being crazy over your mundane sense of duty.

You do your duty when it comes to your healing.

With a huge smile, she hugged herself tightly. With joy and grat.i.tude and tons of enthusiasm.

Artair smiled, her zest contagious.

What of your brother Cavan?

What of him?

He found himself wed to a complete stranger. Didnt he object?

At first, adamantly.

But he realized his duty and did it? she asked.

Artair nodded. It actually turned out well for him and Honora. They fell in love.

Love found them, which is usually the way.

He chuckled. You believe love finds us, we dont find love?

I do, she said bluntly. I believe love is much wiser than we are.

He rubbed his chin. You are a strange one, though interesting.

Another compliment. You do touch my heart, Artair, she said with repeated taps to her chest.

Youre an easy woman to compliment, Zia.

She sighed. How lovely my name sounds coming from your lips. Its as though you felt my name and somehow touched me with it.

Artair coughed lightly and shifted his legs where he sat on the ground.

Had she made him uncomfortable? And why did it matter to her? She did find him appealing. He was a handsome one, but she actually found his company more enjoyable. After she got past his sense of duty, she spied a different man"one she wouldnt mind getting to know better.

It was best to end the conversation now, so she gave an exaggerated yawn. Time to sleep. The sun will rise soon enough. She hunkered down on the blanket Artair had provided for her. Pleasant dreams.

The same to you, Artair answered.

Artair watched Zias chest rise and fall in a slow, steady rhythm as she slept. The firelight danced over her hair, making the golden strands appear as flickering flames.

He had enjoyed their lively conversation, and only now realized that he had learned nothing about Ronan from her, but she had learned much about him. He hadnt realized at the time that she was asking most of the questions, and that he generously supplied the answers. She certainly knew how to get what she wanted from a man, and she did it so effortlessly.

He could understand why any man would declare her a witch. Without candor or malice, she made men feel inferior to her. Hurt a mans pride and he would go to any lengths to seek retribution.

Zia, however, was who she was. There was no pretense to her, and that made the knowledge of a mans own stupidity too much to bear.

He laughed at himself, and he hadnt done that in a long time. He hadnt been able to. With Cavan and Ronans capture came more duty for him, and he embraced it for he knew he had to. There were times when he hadnt wanted it. So many times, he had wished for his brothers safe return, but time pa.s.sed and his duties increased.

He had never told anyone that he was relieved when Cavan returned. Many wouldnt have believed him. After all, with Cavan gone he would be the next chieftain of Clan Sinclare. But he hadnt wanted that distinction. It belonged to his brother Cavan, who had been raised since childhood knowing it would be his. Artair felt the same. Cavan was born to be chieftain, and he would serve Cavan, as would his brothers. It was the way of things, and Artair had no difficulty accepting his station in life.