“I’ll consider it.” James scooped water and used his hands to soak his face. The coolness of the water felt good and but his eye stung a little. “We should return. Grey will surely be back soon.”

“We could stall and give you and Emlyn time to hide away.”

“Where would I take her? I know of no place where she would be safe. I will not endanger our clan. It is too dangerous and risky.”

As he put on his boots, the key Emlyn left for him fell from his tunic. He picked it up and studied it. It was golden and embellished with a dragon at the top. The few jewels embedded in the gold gleamed.

Find the door with the dragon.

James wasn’t sure he wanted to see her again. Hell, who was he jesting with? He definitely wanted to be in her presence. Even if he might gaze upon her face, he’d be satisfied. Nay, at this point he wouldn’t be content with just a look. He wanted more, he wanted all of her, and wanted her freely without restriction. He wanted to remember being with her, knowing her touch and response.

Should he go and find the door the key unlocked? What would he do if he found the door? Would she be there? Those questions would likely go unanswered, because he had duties to see to and had to put the lass from his thoughts. That was easier said than done.

“What have you there?” Sean asked.

“Nothing,” he said, and tucked the key back inside his tunic.

James rose and followed Sean back to the encampment. For this night he might have to venture out and find this dragon door, even if only to appease his curiosity.

When they arrived back at the camp, Grey awaited them. The guardsmen sat near the fire with him, and he finished eating his supper. Sean bid Angus to remove their bowls, for the lad was happy to do so and prideful that he’d been asked along on the trek.

James went inside his tent and sat upon the bedding. He wasn’t wont to hear what Grey had to say, and knew that Llywelyn would agree to the betrothal. Then he remembered Emlyn saying her father gave his permission to thwart the betrothal. Why would he do that? As much as the lord liked their fracas, he had to keep his lands safe. Most lords would sacrifice a daughter to keep their lands, and he would be no different. Especially given the danger he’d put her in when he forced two combatants at her.

“James? What are you doing sitting in here alone? I wanted to tell everyone what Llywelyn said. Everyone is awaiting you.” He watched his laird duck and enter the tent.

“I just want to know when we are to leave.”

“I’ll tell you that, when you tell me how you got that black eye. Tell me you got it while training, for I won’t believe you. And I vow if you say you got it from a lass, I might have to beat your arse.” Grey kept his stance, holding on to the pole in the center of the tent.

James found a grin. “Very well. I won’t tell you then.”

“Cosh, you got it from a lass. I knew it!” Grey approached, and he almost put his hands up to defend himself, but instead, his laird sat next to him. “James, there’s something I want to discuss with you … privately.”

He sat back and waited for Grey to continue. “Aye, what is it?”

“When our king bid us to come here, and after I met with Marshall … I, ah, well I was disturbed by our task. It does not agree with me to send the lass to her demise, for that’s what we’d be doing.”

“What are you saying, Laird?” James leaned forward, using his knees as a rest for his elbows.

“I just came from Llywelyn and I got the feeling he’d rather not agree to the betrothal and yet he did. His wife was in the hall and kept glaring at him. When he spoke about it, I got the sense that he was against it.”

James perked up. “If he’s against it, then why’d he agree?”

Grey hunched his shoulders. “I know not, but I would wager if the lass never showed up at Marshall’s keep, Llywelyn wouldn’t be too upset by it. I was hoping … Well, if you’re not involved with anyone that you would take the lass and hide her. Sean said there was someone at his keep that you were involved with.”

“Nay, I’m not involved with anyone at his keep or anyone for that matter.” A frown wrinkled his brows and he firmed his jaw. Hell, he’d had a brief encounter with Emlyn, and he’d just lied to his laird. He was involved as much as he couldn’t get the lass from his mind, no matter how hard he tried. He was more than involved, for he deemed he might even be besotted. If only Grey knew of what he asked. But this was exactly what James had hoped for. “Do you realize what you’re asking? If I do this, Laird, we’ll be causing a war.”

Grey laughed. “Aye? I deem they’d war regardless of whether the lass went to Marshall. So will you do this for me? Will you take and hide her?”

James bellowed in laughter. He couldn’t cease for his life took a turn toward bizarre. He’d just been given his fondest wish. Using his tunic, he wiped the laughter moisture from his eyes. Now he understood why Grey had given him odd looks when they’d first discussed the issue of the betrothal.

His laird was interfering again, and had the habit of bringing his guardsmen into affray with a woman. He’d done it to Kenneth and Sean, and now it appeared it was his turn. James continued to laugh for he should have realized his laird’s intent.

“What is so humorous? I want your compliance,” Grey said sternly, looking peeved about his reaction.

“Where do you want me to take her?”

“I’ve thought on it and the only place the lass will be safe for now would be Donal’s keep. When we went to meet with Marshall, Donal was pissed. He wasn’t pleased by the pact Marshall gave Iorwerth either. He remarked that he didn’t like the look Marshall had on his face when he spoke of the lass. I know he’ll support us in this.”

James shook his head. He couldn’t believe their discussion led to this. “There will be repercussions.”

“I’ll deal with them when they come. If we can get Donal to side with us, he can gain our king’s accord that we did the right thing. We should leave this banter betwixt Iorwerth and Marshall.”

James couldn’t agree more, but he said, “Our king wanted us to aid his comrade. He’ll not be pleased that we disobeyed his direct orders.”

“One problem at a time, James. Do I have your accord?”

“Aye, you do.”

“I need your oath that no matter what happens you will not allow the lass be given to Marshall.”

“You have it.”

Grey folded his arms and scratched his back against the tent pole. “When I met with Llywelyn, he said his daughter hasn’t been home in two days. He has a search out for her. You wouldn’t know where she is, do you?”

Mayhap her father should’ve been concerned about that when he’d seen her on the training field. Obviously her father was more intent in testing her arms than having her safely in the keep.

James nodded. “I have an idea.”

“Christ Almighty, James. Only you would fall in love with a hellion princess. Find her and make sure she agrees to leave with us. We’ll keep up the pretense that we’ll take her to Marshall. When we reach the border, you will veer off toward home and we’ll keep Marshall’s army busy. And, James, if you deem I don’t know what’s going on … I know what you’ve been up to.”

James laughed. “I should’ve known you’d suspect something. But aye, I’ve met the lass and had a run in with her. I am sure she’ll agree to our plan. No lass would want to be betrothed to their clan’s enemy.”

“You best hope she agrees. Go and find her. And for God’s sake, keep your face from her fist. Your eye is unsightly and ugly as hell.” Grey chuckled as he left the tent.

James realized he might have need of the dragon key after all.

Chapter Eleven

Where would he find a door with a dragon? James searched all morning, but found nothing to which she described. During the training rounds, he snuck away and was able to walk near the keep. He had to return when a group of Iorwerth men began following him. He didn’t want to draw their suspicion and pretended to be lost. They directed him back to the fields.