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Once again she felt two hands on her This tiround were considerably gentler She looked up to see Ewen ’s face only inches from her own, concern etched in his brow

"Did I …?"

"Aye, lass, he ’s dead You did well Quiet yourself now " Cradling her firmly in his arms, he whispered, "You ’re a braw one aren’t you, Lil ’? I can ’t say I ’ve seen braver "

Lily shot up in his arms, renewed terror in her eyes "But the other one! "

In her panic, Lily’s forehead butted hard against Ewen ’s chin He chuckled, "I said calm yourself, lass I dealt with the nasty-faced oneNo need to rile yourself

"Do you think you can sit a horse? We need to be away frounfire is about "

Lily nodded weakly, only to regret it when she caught sight of the warhorse Ewen called a ride No Highland pony this one But for one dark red sock, the horse was as black as night and barely visible in the growing twilight His , unruly masses that stood in stark counterpoint to the silky sheen of his body Lily gaped when she noticed the patchwork of scars webbing the horse ’s face and shoulders

Ewen mistook her apprehension for admiration and praised, "Aye, he’s a bonny one, no? I call hih many a battle, this one Not the comeliest lad, but there ’s none braver"

Ewen had barely lifted her onto the saddle when he announced gravely, "Now that you’re safe, lass, I ’d sayat ease with him "Here it comes " Lily turned to face him, eyebrows raised expectantly It wasn ’t every day she had a life-and-death experience and the rush left her feeling muzzy and inexplicably close to the laird

"This is not a lightin what she thought would be a continuation of their easy rapport, Ewen seeood humor He chided,

"You ’ve no place outside the castle walls I don ’t ken woe now and you must mind my word"

"Don’t scold me like a child " Red blotched her cheeks as Lily felt suddenly piqued "If you and your …your foster brother hadn’t been so secretive and draht have listened to you "

"Och, you glaikit lass " Ewen pulled Ares to an abrupt halt "Tell me, what about this isn’t dramatic and bizarre? I wonder that I even found you If those men hadn ’t been such bawheided fools, it’s your dead body I ’d have slung over the saddle "

"I was just trying to get back to … where I was Hoas I to know "-- Her breath shuddered as she tried to get air into her suddenly uncooperative lungs, "How could I have known that I couldn’t get back?"

"I’ that henceforth you give a thought to your situation, aye?"

"That’s just it " Tears began to spill down her face "How can I think about it when I don ’t even understand what ’s happened to o hoet home "

Ewen tucked her head under his chin "Hush, lass," he rasped "I know the person who ht can help you find your way There ’s a wo"