I leaned back on the chair and took the glass to my mouth. Alec nodded and watched me for a moment.
- You drink like a man!
- I'm surrounded by them, Your Highness, and I can tell you they're idiots. - I answered smiling. - Sometimes not even a glass is enough to account for being the leader of a bunch of animals.
Alec had a laugh.
- Why did you say there are few men on the front? - he asked. - I thought my father had made excellent alliances with the lords.
I sighed by passing my hands over my head.
- A lot of them were attacked while they were making their rounds. We still don't know how Roy's men leave the castle without being seen. We believe that there is some passage through the mountains, but no one can get very close.
- Why shouldn't I?
- Because Edinburgh is the best armed fortress in the Lowlands. By standing on a hill, their vision becomes privileged. - I took a break. - I've been watching them from a hill north of the forest and I've noticed the presence of countless archers who, I have no idea how, he managed.
- I hear Roy's trying to make an alliance with England. - Alec said by drinking some beer. - Archers can be English soldiers allies.
- I do not believe that is possible, because we kill every messenger who tried to get through the lines of defence. - I took a break. - Nobody leaves that castle and survives to tell anything.
Alec frowned.
- So he didn't interrogate anyone to try to find out how he gets men or how he stays despite the siege. What about the plans to try to win that war?
- No," he said, shrugging his shoulders. - Like I said, we kill everyone who comes out of that castle. I may not know how they get out, but make sure they don't come back.
Alec sighed by passing his hands through his hair.
- We have to get someone to talk. - he fired. - I need to know how the groups of mercenaries are being formed and how our own are being infiltrated with MacGregor's men. If they don't get through our lines, how are they getting into the camps?
I rolled my eyes out.
- I, uh...
- My brother told me you were excellent with guns and very smart. - he fired. - He did well to report me to the leadership in his place and I'm glad he's here in time for that.
- You what? - ...I fired an astonished shot and stood on my feet. - Keilan did not tell me that you would come to lead the men in the siege, but to observe and learn.
Alec had a laugh.
- Believe me, Breanna! I don't need to observe or learn anything.
Saying that, he turned the rest of the beer in his mouth and stood up.
- I want to go to camp as soon as possible and be introduced to the men. - he said seriously.
I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. Despite the anger, I took a deep breath trying to control myself.
- What about me? Shall I return to the border?
- What's at the border?
- Small contingents of villagers are camped to protect the passage to the Highlands. - I explained. - She was the leader of one of them, just like Keilan.
Alec had a face.
- Well, I'll need Keilan, just like you. - he said in a way. - So you stay.
My whole body smoked and a chill ran through my spine because of the way Alec looked at me. I'd been living on the battlefield for two years and I've never felt that way before. I became lethal in my intention to take revenge for all that MacGregor made my sister suffer, so there was never much time to be interested in any man, much less if he was Alec MacCalister. The custom of dealing with men was to make me less attractive in their eyes, so that no one approached me for that purpose. I never had to worry about that expression or my guts twitching. Well, not so far!
- I wonder where I've seen those eyes before! - Alec leaned forward. - They're very expressive and brilliant. Looks like a giant, beautiful emerald rock.
I held my breath seeking self-control to deal with the way he uttered the words. My legs turned back into bambas and I hesitated. There was a tension between us. Alec tied my waist when my knees bent and I threatened to fall.
- Look out! - he whispered very close to my face. - You shouldn't drink so much if you want to be alert all the time.
- Be sure of one thing, Your Highness! - and I stuck my nails in Alec's bare hand. - I'm always on alert. Even when I drink.
He grunted at me and I staggered backwards. She smiles ironically when she sees her face of pain.
- Your tricks don't work on me, Your Highness! - I fired by putting my hand on the handle of the sword. - I'm not like those silly girls who throw themselves into the arms of a man by having their silly smiles reciprocated.
