You make it hot in here. Like anger, you make the heat rise in me. Why do you do that?"
His half smile coursed through her as his knuckle traced her jaw. Again, she jerked away. "Don't."
"I can't help it. My skin wants to feel yours."
How could words touch her more surely than his fingers had moments ago? Whatever magic he used, she would fight it. "You're not helpless, you can stop yourself."
"No," he shook his head, "no, I don't think I can."
She snorted. Fought the flutter of flattery. Warriors were notorious with the ladies, not that she could blame them. Too many lasses were foolish enough to want one. She might not be immune to this man, but she refused to be thrilled by pretty words.
Using the only weapon she had on hand, she asked him what everyone wanted to know. “Why are you here, when you’ve never come before?" Riding the tide of surprise, so evident in the focus she had just gained, she continued. “You’ve sent others to ask the MacBedes to fight your fights, to risk their lives. So tell me Bold, what’s so important now?”
He didn’t respond straight away. For the first time that evening, he ignored the jests and calls that had been demanding his attention throughout the meal. Even her da tried to gain his attention, but Talorc didn’t acknowledge anyone but Maggie. It was a heady feeling.
“You’ve a good question, Maggie." He bent close. “But I want you to know that I’m not here for trouble, at least not to my mind.”
“I’d not be knowing how your mind works, Bold. But you’ve made people think you’re here for me while I know better.”
A young lad moved between them, a tray of roasted meat held out in offering, reminding them both they were here for a feast.
“Maggie,” Talorc explained as he served both of them from the tray, “When someone is sent with a call to arms, I’m already deep in the fray. There’s no time for me to leave a fight. Others, who are swift of foot, but not so handy with the sword, are sent to call for help. We all have our roles to play, don’t you see.”
“Aye.” The word did not come easily, she didn’t want to understand, but honesty demanded she do so. Not that he had cleared himself of wrong doing, or that she would let him get off so easily.
“Earlier I told you that Ian’s last words were of you, that his death would not sit well with you.” He touched her cheek. This time she allowed it, welcomed the warmth, needing the heat to balance the cold of her loss. How quickly that cold could come upon her, when she least expected it.
“I want you to know your brother lost his life in an honorable battle, Maggie. He fought bravely, he saved others. The need to fight that fight will be proven when you still have food for your belly on winter’s edge of spring."
"And that’s why you came. You believe you can convince me Ian needed to be there, with you, when the Gunn's don't come on to our land."
He tsked, like a teacher to a student. "Don't fool yourself, Maggie, you know they've been in your fields, taken what's yours."
She looked away, bit at her lower lip, hesitant for the first time. There was truth in his words. She was not so angry she would deny that. But her Ian's death was still a raw wound.
“Aye, but we never lost as we’ve been losing these few years past.”
Rather than insult, her words gave him pause. He nodded, admitting. “We were losing like the saints were against us. Aye, that is true. One ride out, the food didn’t go with us. Another, what we ate was tainted. Small raiders, neither Gunn nor clan, attacked when we least expected.”
“You’re to expect everything.”
“Aye.” He reached for her then, as though it were true, that he had an uncontrollable need to touch her. Fingers spread, he cupped her cheek, stroked it with his thumb. She didn’t stop him.
“Maggie,” Talorc took her hands in his, “Do you know how you avenged Ian? Do you know the role you played in turning the tide, bringing abundance?”
She pulled away, insulted. “Don’t use your words with me. That’s all they are, just words. I have done nothing. Nothing,” she snapped.
“Aye, you have and the MacKays want to thank you. Come to Glen Toric with me.”
She sat up, turning fully to confront him.