line to the Thent. It definitely won’t take as long as if we worked our way back up to the path we were on and back the way we came.” Linc pointed to a very small gap in the bushes as he tugged on her hand urging her to move.
This path wasn’t as wide as the last or as well traveled. Branches and bushes dipped across the narrow trail at times, catching and tugging at clothing. Dappled light danced across the grasses and wild flowers near the edge of the track. Birds flitted overhead, jumping from branch to branch and chirping noisily.
Even though they couldn’t walk side by side most of the time, Linc kept hold of her hand as they walked. She inhaled the moist air, savoring the smell of earth and the tangy scent of plants all around her. They came out of the forest near a small group of houses. She saw women at work outside of the house.
The women worked at various chores around their homes, tending herb gardens, gathering eggs or hanging clothes to dry in the sun. They all called greetings to Linc and he greeted them by name. He kept moving, but from the way they responded to him, they trusted and liked him. They walked straight to the gates of the fortress.
Cami found herself searching for Colm as they walked. As much as she’d like not to care, the emotional pull to them was too strong. She wanted to be with them. Colm was at the stables as they passed on their way toward the doors of the fortress. His eyes widened and he dropped the piece of leather he’d been holding to rush over to them.
“What happened to you two?” Colm’s eyes swept over both of them. He frowned and she could hear the beginnings of a growl in his words.
“We fell in the lake,” Linc said easily and kept walking.
Since he kept moving, she couldn’t very well stop. She really didn’t want to be dragged by the arm across the yard. Linc nearly reached the door by the time Colm caught up with them. She guessed he’d been stunned that Linc had given him such a short answer and walked away without another word.
“How did you both fall in the lake? One I can understand. If she can’t swim, I can see you going in after her, but you both falling into the lake makes no sense.” Colm drew even with them and then stepped in front of Linc.
Linc laughed. “You’d know if you were with us. We were running. In this form, so don’t start anything. I know how you are about your plans. I was leading the way and I went around the corner that overlooks the lake and stopped so she could see it from there. She came around the corner too fast. I grabbed for her, but couldn’t stop her in time and we both tumbled in.”
“I can see you were dressed when you fell in. You’re both still damp.” Colm shook his head.
“Yes, and we both want to change into something dry. You can save any more questions until later.” Linc went around Colm and tugged Cami after him.
Cami glanced back and saw the frustration on Colm’s face. A grin spread across her face, but she managed not to laugh. The man was obviously used to getting his way and she knew Linc had deliberately baited him. They obviously had a very close relationship.
Linc smiled as he watched the door close behind Cami. They’d found the door to the room two down from the room he shared with Colm open and waiting for her. She’d gone in and found her bag on the bed. She’d smiled and shut the door so she could get dressed.
He continued down the hallway, a little surprised that Colm wasn’t already here. Linc knew Colm was curious and wanted answers. Colm was very observant and he couldn’t miss the fact that Linc was in a good mood after that unexpected dunking.
He opened the door and strolled into his room, unbuttoning his shirt as he moved forward. Pushing the door closed, he dropped the sodden shirt to the floor and reached for the buckle of his pants.
“All right. What happened out there and why were you smiling so widely?” Colm came into the room and closed the door behind him. “And don’t give me that you would have known if you were there again. I’m not in the mood for your