The Seer - Hildie McQueen Page 0,8

words and reminder of the burden he constantly carried, Alasdair shrugged. For years he’d hidden away from people, finding solitude wherever possible to escape the onslaught of sensations.

Thankfully as he’d matured it became easier to block out more and more. There were still many days when he was caught with his guard down and was overcome, his mind and body taken by emotions.

Of all of the senses, sadness was the hardest to keep away. So many times, the emotion wept from someone who bumped into him, or met his gaze. Those were the times, he dreaded the most. Not so much because he felt sorry for people, after all, sadness was part of life. It was the constant reminder of the overabundance of it.

“It is something I can control for the most part and why I prefer to live alone.”

The woman’s brow furrowed. “That is not a life at all. Is it?”

If she was using kindness as a way to get him be less suspicious her, it did the opposite.

Instinctively Alasdair did not trust his senses at the moment because at times physical attractiveness had a way of concealing the most horrible parts of a person. Not only that, but like most men he was rattled when attracted to a beauty like the one before him.

“Good day milady.” Alasdair stalked away. He needed to get away from her and think clearly. There was much to accomplish, and his mind had to be sharp. For some strange reason being around the woman was clouding his ability to think clearly.

Chapter 4

When the man mounted and rode away, Dallis let out a breath. He’d not asked her name, and neither had she asked his. Now, she wondered what it was. The man was like no one she’d ever met before.

Gold speckled eyes that seemed to pierce the flesh and burrow deep into a person were set in a ruggedly handsome face. The angry slash down the right side of his face did not distract from his attractiveness. Instead, what would be considered a disfigurement seemed to enhance his allure. How was that possible?

He was the seer her brother and Niven had summoned to find out who was untrustworthy. She had no doubt he would have answers for them.

Dallis shuddered. What had he seen when touching her? Had he felt her desperation not to marry a man she abhorred? Fear that harm would come to her brother, whom she loved with all her heart. Was it possible he’d sensed her determination to lead the resistance, not only because she disliked the Macphersons, but to ensure the safety of her clan?

The burden of so many secrets weighed heavily, making her wonder how it was possible for the Seer to carry not just his own, but those of people around him. Looking in the direction he’d gone, Dallis let out a long breath. She did not envy the man at all.

Her brother and Nevin had left, making it safe for her to head back to the keep.

She loved her brother dearly, would give her life for him. Although he wasn’t aware, the reason for her argument with the men at the tavern was not that they’d stolen money, but because they had not provided protection for Guiles. He’d evaded them, perhaps thinking they were a threat.

Afraid for him, she’d hired them to ensure no harm came to him after a near miss with archers.

Now she had to come up with another plan to ensure her brother was kept from harm. He didn’t need her really, he was a full-grown man and good fighter. However, he was also the sole heir to be laird. Her father had no siblings therefore a distant relative would have to take control if something happened.

Through the trees, the man and horse had quickly disappeared. Whoever he was, she considered that he would be the perfect guard for Guiles.

The corner of her lips curved. Her brother would be so angry if he found out the painstaking efforts she’d gone through over the years to keep him safe.

Dallis had argued many times with her father about her overprotectiveness of Guiles. Her argument was always the same. That he not be allowed to go to battle and that he be kept safe because one day he’d be laird. Instead of agreeing, her father had sent him off with the guard to train.

Despite her arguments against it to both her father and her brother, Guiles had gone to battle many times over the years and