“We’re to camp here for a few hours.”

She nodded and stepped near him. James plucked her from the ground and brought her against him with a hard jolt. Emlyn barely had time to gasp when he kissed her ardently. How she liked the way he possessed her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on as his mouth covered hers with passion.

“James, we’ve tasks to see to. Cease kissing your lass and get to it.”

When James pulled away, his eyes born into hers. She could’ve sworn he was as displeased by the interruption as she was. He let her body slid over his until her feet reached the ground.

“I’ve been thinking about doing that all day.”

“You have?” She couldn’t hold back her smile.

“Aye that and what it will be like when you’re beneath me again.”

Emlyn scrunched her eyes and teased, “Oh? You deem that I’ll give over to your desires? Just like that?” She snapped her fingers.

A scowl crossed his beautiful face. “Now that you’ve gotten your desire, I take it ye have no further need of me?”

Before she retorted, he stepped away from her. Emlyn realized he wasn’t one for jests or such playfulness, and was too literal. She was wont to call him back to tell him so, but he fiddled with his satchel and petted his horse, whose whinny sounded. He kept his back to her and removed a pouch which he tossed to one of his comrades.

“My thanks,” the man said. “I’ll give it to Sean so he can cook it.”

Around them, hundreds of soldiers made fires and seemed jovial. When she caught up to James, she asked, “Why are they pleased?”

She followed him through the throng of mini-camps set about. James turned and took her hand, saying nothing. He gave a menacing stare at the men they passed. It was as if he was telling them that she was his. None of the men looked at her and avoided her gaze, but nodded at James.

They reached the campfire that his comrades sat around. He set a tartan on the ground for her and she promptly sat upon it. Emlyn stretched her legs out, happy to be free of the carriage. She rubbed the aches from her muscles and relaxed back. James gave her a hunk of bread, which was a bit hard, and she’d likely break a tooth trying to eat it. Another handed her a cup of mead, and she thanked him.

Their leader sat across from her, and she watched him. He was a handsome man, much like the others that sat around them. They seemed close and she sensed their comradery.

“Lady Emlyn, I’m Laird Gunn, but I would that you call me Grey. These are my guardsmen: Duff, second in command, Sean, Colm, and Kenneth McInnish, a neighboring clan chieftain.” He indicated who was who, and she bowed her head at them. “You know James, intimately, of course.”

She scrunched her eyes at his choice of the word intimately and she wondered how much James had told them. “I would that you call me Emlyn, and I’m pleased to meet you.”

“We cannot, milady, for you’re a princess. We shall call you Lady Emlyn.” This came from Colm, the man that had jested with James about his horse.

“I may be a princess on my father’s land, but here, I am just a …” She was going to say woman, but didn’t want them to think of her as such. Emlyn was a warrior and if it was the last thing she’d do, she’d make them understand that. “… warrior.”

None of the men remarked or indicated their displeasure hearing her say such. Emlyn gnawed at the hunk of bread and then dipped it in the mead. It made it softer and she could at least eat it.

Grey leaned forward and handed her a softer piece. “James explained the plan?”

“Aye, he did. I thank you, Laird Gunn, for your aid. My father does not wish me given over to Marshall.”

“I’m aware of his wishes. My men have given their oath to protect you and we mean to honor our pledge to thwart Marshall. As much as you have skill with weapons,” he said, and looked pointedly at James. “We are passionate about our duty and I insist you allow us to see to your protection while you’re in our care.”

Emlyn sighed. They took their duty to heart that was certain. “Very well, my lord.”

“Grey, call me Grey. We’ll reach the border of your father’s land soon. When we get there, we’ll part with our army and journey toward our land. The carts and such will slow us and I don’t want to dally in getting you to safety. Several men will take them now and continue the journey without us.”

She nodded. “Will Marshall be waiting by the border?”

“He may be. Och we will be prepared to meet him if he is.”

James handed her a bowl of stew. It smelled delicious and her stomach rumbled. It tasted nothing akin to anything she’d ever eaten. “This is tasty.”

Colm guffawed and leaned toward her. “’Tis Sean’s skill. Aye, he cooks as well as he rules his lands. I deem he should give up his lairdship and take to the kitchens when he returns home.”

Sean must not have liked Colm’s jest, for he tossed a rock at him.

Emlyn returned her attention to their laird. “I will not ride further in that carriage.”

“I agree. We’ve a horse for you. You do know how to ride?”

She raised her brows at his question. “Of course.” Emlyn hadn’t meant to sound offended, but her outrage came out before she stopped herself. They knew not her skill or the fact that she’d been training at arms since she could walk.

James remained silent and seemed to be brooding. Emlyn refrained from speaking to him, because she didn’t want to incite his ire, as much as she’d already had.

“Best get anything you want from the trunks. You shan’t have access to them until you reach Gunn land.”

“I want nothing from them. Burn the trunks for all I care. I only have need of my two satchels.” She looked at Colm. “The one you have and the one that is still inside the carriage. Please be sure to get it.”

Kenneth stood. “I’ll retrieve it for you. Why do you not wish for your belongings?”

Emlyn pressed her lips together before answering. It was a simple question with a complicated answer. Instead of explaining, she said, “I have no need of such objects.”

“James, come with me.” Kenneth waited for him to stand and they set off.

She finished eating her fare and kept quiet. But with the stares from Grey, Sean, Colm, and Duff, an unsettling aura came over her.

Duff, the burly guardsman, crawled to sit next to her. Emlyn thought to move to give him room on her tartan, but he sat on the prickly needles from the pines above.

“You bested our James. I am astounded.”

The man’s voice was as gruff as he was, and his tone heavy with a burr. Emlyn had to save face for James with his comrades. Obviously he’d taken a bit of grief from them about her victory on the field.

“I vow he let me win. He realized I was a woman and that was the only reason he submitted.”

Sean laughed. “Aye, that’s the only reason any of us would submit.”

“James was much more prolific than I with the sword. I hope to learn some skill from you and hope that you allow me to train with you.” Emlyn could’ve snickered under her breath, but she resisted. Men were so easy to thwart. She verily gave James his balls back.

“I would be honored to test the sword with you, milady,” Duff said.

“I too,” Sean said.

“Not I,” Colm said. “I will never take a sword against a woman.”

Emlyn glowered, for he was one that she would not so easily win to her favor.

*****

James wasn’t sure if he was beguiled or bewildered by her. He walked next to Kenneth, unsure why he wanted him along. They reached the cart that held the four trunks Emlyn’s mother had boasted held treasure. The only treasure James considered they had on this journey was Emlyn herself. Nothing in the trunks was as worthy, but his curiosity was piqued, as was Kenneth’s.

“What do you deem is inside? Surely she wouldn’t have sent a fortune with the lass. I don’t think the queen held regard for her daughter.”