- I agree, but what if it's not just that? - Keilan continued. - What if it's something much darker than that?
- What do you mean?
Keilan sighed.
- I don't know, but Alec had told me that her sister didn't like her uncle very much.
- None of us did.
- Right, but being the man he is, why didn't Roy just ignore Aileen? Why this growing affection for your sister? - he fired. - Oliver said that every time he looked at painting he was more humane.
That was a good question. Roy had always been very self-centered, arrogant and cold, as well as merciless. A cold went through my spine.
- You don't think he can attack Aileen?
- Not him, but Ravenna. - Keilan fired. - You said yourself she gave Aideen to him. What if Ravenna tries to bargain through Aileen? Now that Alistair is married to Aideen and, we know very well, that Ravenna will have no control over him through his sister, what would prevent her from using Aileen against Alistair and for Roy?
- I don't believe that because Aileen would need to be much more than Roy's niece for him to make any profit from my sister's union with some noble Englishman, for example. - I said shrugging my shoulders, but a worry grew inside me. - Still, I'll find a way to send a letter to Alistair asking her to take care of Aileen.
- Really? Will you sign as Bree or Aila? - he asked ironically.
I lowered my gaze, sighing frustrated. Keilan finished dressing and put both hands on my shoulders.
- Tell Alec your true identity. Tell me what happened and why you're hiding. - he lifted my chin using his index finger and made me face it. - He knows her and from what I've seen, he knows very well about her family. I know it's hard for you, but try to trust Alec. He's not that spoiled boy who tormented you as a girl anymore.
I looked at my friend. Keilan knew everything about my life. He knew all about me and my fears. He was the only one to whom I told everything I had suffered, but he had also told me about my happy moments.
- All right! All right! - said sighing. - I'll think about it and see what I do.
- All right! All right! Until then, try to be more discreet and don't abuse your skills too much, because he suspects that you are being prepared from a very young age.
- I don't promise, but I'll try.
Smiling Keilan hugged me. We stayed like this for a while, until a noise caught my attention. I looked over my shoulder and saw Alec standing on Keilan's back, watching from a distance. He had a serious look and could say that there was fury in his eyes, but he didn't know the reason.
- Keilan, if you're not too busy, I'd like to talk to you. - Alec said in an ironic tone staring at me.
Keilan got away from me.
- I'm done with what I came here to do. - he said kissing my forehead. - Remember what I said.
I nodded and went back to my tent. I spent all that afternoon walking around thinking. Although I knew I should keep my identity hidden, I had to consider Keilan's concern. At nightfall, after so much thinking, I decided to talk to Alec. He was the only one who could ask Alistair to look after my sisters while I was away.
The men I asked for Alec told me he was at the lake. Without thinking, I headed in the direction they pointed. It was dark enough when I found Alec's belongings about change. His clothes were folded next to his boots. The horse had its reins tied to the trunk and I approached slowly looking around and making as little noise as possible. Surely Alec would be bathing naked. I watched behind a bush, but I didn't see anyone. Suddenly I felt the coldness of a blade on my neck and froze where I was.
- Looking for something?
Alec's dark voice whispered behind me and I turned quickly to face him. I stopped looking at his wide chest with a hair trail that went to his navel. The strong arms contracted as he pushed with his hand and I allowed myself to see the long fingers. It was the first time I noticed the big ring he was wearing on his pinkie. The hair was wet, sticking to the skin of his neck and the water was running down his chest. Despite all this, what caught my attention was the scar he had on one of the sides of his abdomen. She remembered a star drawn by a child or crushed by the sole of a boot.
- Keilan's not here! - he said it harshly and pointed at the towel around his waist. - I'm telling you, not even under this towel...
The ironic way he talked to me made me realize that I thought of him as a hungry dog. I immediately blushed.
- I'm not looking for Keilan. - said recovering my composure, or rather, trying. - I need to talk to you about a serious matter.
- That's great! - he said smiling and put down his sword. - Me too!
Alec stared at me in silence. Your gaze clinging to mine in magnetic form. Suddenly I lost all my concentration and forgot what I had come to do. Instead of opening my mouth and saying something, I just stared at Alec.
- What's that you do to
