- I hope I'm not in your thoughts.
I opened my eyes to face Keilan's funny look. That brought me even more anger.
- No, but seeing him standing in front of me with this cynical smile makes me want to plead a most macabre plague.
Keilan pulled a face and approached with difficulty. He was holding the left side of his abdomen and I assumed he had taken an arrow.
- Let's hope it gets infected and fills with pus. That way, maybe it won't hurt anymore.
- Jesus, Aila! - he said in a disgusting way. - Imagine if the rumors about you and your sisters aren't true and that thing really takes me.
- Yeah, speak my name louder! - grunhi. - The fireflies didn't hear what I said.
Keilan laughed looking around. He knew very well that I didn't like it when he pronounced my name. I was lucky Alec didn't recognize me.
- Why did you lie to me?
- Why is that? Isn't that obvious? - he answered. - If I had told you the truth, you would have asked me to go back to the border. Alistair's orders were to remain and help Alec in whatever was necessary.
I snorted.
- You made me believe I'd have command of the men and bankroll that idiot's drool. - I grunted. - Where did he get those blows from?
- I don't know, Bree, but I don't think Alec's as stupid as you thought.
I lifted my gaze with a face. Keilan was right to say that and I had to agree that if Alec hadn't shown up, we'd both be dead. Well, I could accept it, but I'd never say that to him.
- Apparently, I was completely wrong," he said, settling down. - Did you know he could lift a sword with one hand and handle the bow with the other?
- No. - Keilan answered by sitting on a rock away from the cell. - I haven't seen or spoken to Alec in many years. After the death of my father and the gathering of clans to form an army, I stopped visiting Dunhill. All I remembered of him was a slender boy with just the ability to talk.
I rolled my eyes. Franzino? Alec had nothing of a slender character, but Keilan was right in saying that he had a talent for negotiating or convincing people about something. No wonder Alistair chose to stay ahead of the battles while his brother was studying politics. For me, Alec had become a pompous and boring nobleman, but she was very wrong. After I kissed him like that, I had to work hard to focus. I had planned it on an impulse. He knew it was the only way to get him arrested, so I gave him some of his medicine. I only did not count on his escape and now I did not know whether to thank God or to curse the devil.
- I'm sorry I lied to you, young lady, but I never would have stayed if I had told the truth. - Keilan sighed.
- It's okay! It's okay! - I answered frustrated. - Maybe I really deserve to go through it.
- What do you mean?
- I trapped Alec in my bed before I went after you.
- You did what?
- I had no idea he was skilled with guns! - I fired in my defense. - I took his lack of experience as a risk to men and his own life. Believe me, I was trying to protect him.
- Yeah. Yeah. - Keilan smiled on the side. - The fact that he offended your sex had nothing to do with your conduct?
- No," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
- Aila MacBride, who doesn't know her, as I know her, let her buy her. - he said in an ironic tone. - You really think you can fool me?
- Of course... - I paused by turning my eyes. - Not at all!
- Well! Rethink your attitudes, because after all, you are under the command of the prince of Scotland. - he said in a harsh tone. - Instead of being picky with Alec, concentrate your efforts on finding your way into Edinburgh as was our original plan.
I took a deep breath. I hated it when Keilan called my attention like I was a 12-year-old girl. Deep down, he was right and I had to agree with him. I had to get the passage back into the fortress.
- Okay, but stop saying my name.
- Oh, great! - Keilan smiled and got up. - Now let me talk to the other child. Maybe I can get her out tonight.
I shook my head from side to side and watched Keilan walk away. I felt my arm throbbing and I remembered I was hurt. I looked at where an arrow grazed past and saw the blood that was still flowing. I leaned my head against the rock and looked at the sky that was already falling asleep. The clouds were announcing that soon we would have rain.
- At least it won't be snow. - I whispered ironically.
As time went by the arm was throbbing more and more. I decided to close my eyes and try to ignore the boring pain that pulsed in my skin. Gradually the tiredness got hold of me and I fell asleep. I don't know how long it's been, but I felt like my body was floating. That was such a good feeling that I refused to open my eyes. I only held the cloud that carried me in my arms and enjoyed the feeling of peace that I
