Draco A Medieval Scottish Roma - Jayne Castel Page 0,34

down.

But Draco didn’t go back inside the barracks once his pulse had calmed. Instead, he crossed to the postern door that lead up to the top of the guard tower—to the Watch. With Edward’s army at the gate, Wallace’s men were also taking turns guarding the walls, aiding the Dunnottar Guard. Draco had done a shift earlier that evening. But since he had no wish to return to that suffocating barracks, and the possibility of more bad dreams, he decided he might as well resume his station.

Torches and braziers glowed upon the wall, casting a lambent light over the rough grey stone and the snaking fog that surrounded the fortress now. From this height, it was a surreal sight. Tonight, Dunnottar was an island floating on a milky sea. Walking to the wall, and acknowledging the man to his right with a nod, Draco stared out at the view to the west.

The mist had crept in there, obscuring the cliff-top and the spreading hills beyond. It hid the camp, yet the glow of the vast English army still penetrated the mist.

“Couldn’t sleep either?”

Draco turned to see Cassian standing behind him.

Draco’s mouth twisted. “Yes, but I don’t have a beautiful woman warming my bed … if I did, I wouldn’t be out here.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. “But you could have a ‘lady’ in your bed, if you wished it.”

Draco snorted. He’d walked straight into that one. “I thought we agreed to let that subject lie?”

“What subject?” Cassian’s tone feigned innocence as he moved closer, so that the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder looking out over the misty night.

Draco sucked in another deep breath. Since his return from the meeting with Irvine, he’d had some tense ‘talks’ with both Maximus and Cassian. The worst of them had been yesterday afternoon. Draco had been so intractable that Cassian had actually lost his temper with him. Maximus had stepped between the two of them before they came to blows.

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Cassian murmured after a pause. “I was an arse.”

Draco cut his friend a look. “You’re never an arse, Cass,” he admitted. “We both know that’s my role. Your anger was deserved.”

Draco shifted his attention back to the fog-shrouded cliff-face before them. The mist seemed to have a life of its own tonight, shifting and wreathing like the tentacles of some great sea beast. It was an eerie sight, and one that put him on edge.

Things weren’t looking rosy for Dunnottar and its inhabitants. Even with the Wallace and his men’s assistance, and the reinforcements they’d brought in, the stronghold wouldn’t stand long-term against such a force. They all knew it, although the Wallace was stubbornly refusing to admit the truth.

Draco stared off into the fog, his gaze becoming unfocused. Sometimes he wondered why he was fighting Maximus and Cassian over this. After all, they all wanted the same thing.

This is your chance to finally break the curse, a voice whispered to him then. You’ve chased death for so long. Why are you throwing away this opportunity?

The question brought Draco up short. The voice was cruel and cold, yet it spoke the truth. Why was he resisting a union with Gavina?

He didn’t wish to wed anyone, let alone the proud Lady of Dunnottar. But if the others were right, this was indeed the opportunity he’d long yearned for. Otherwise, he’d continue living forever.

Draco’s throat tightened. That chilling dream had been a reminder of the burden he carried. He’d lived through too much, seen too much, and done too much.

Draco turned to Cassian then, meeting his eye squarely. “Actually, I’ve thought on what you said,” he replied softly. “You were right. I’ve completely ignored the fact that all three of us are in this mess together. You and Maximus need this from me.”

Cassian’s gaze widened. “Does this mean—”

“Yes, it does,” Draco cut him off, impatient now. “But the battle isn’t won yet, Cass. Lady Gavina has a say in this too … in case you forget.” He paused there. “I will talk to her once more … and see if she is willing to overlook her objections to wedding me … but I can’t make you any promises.”

Cassian cocked an eyebrow. “She doesn’t dislike you that much, does she?”

Draco snorted. “I think I’m a little too rough around the edges for the lady.”

Cassian laughed. “You are for most of us, but we love you nonetheless.” His gaze searched Draco’s face then, as if he was seeking the answer to a question he