feelings that took over on that dock in Inverness?”
Her mother stood, taking her father’s hand. Dyna had no idea what they were about to do, but no one could have pulled her away from the spectacle in front of her. She was powerless, unable to avert her gaze, her eyes riveted on the couple who stood facing each other.
Her mother said, “I recall it verra well. My fear was that you would get me in trouble with my captors, that they would see you standing close to me and accuse me of causing the problem.”
Her gaze changed to such a coldness that even Dyna was shocked to see.
Her father continued, “But I had no idea what your life was like. Had I known about the bastards, I would have promised to rescue you. Instead, mayhap Hord ran through your mind. I’d been told you were called the Ice Queen, that you were as cold as anyone. That you had a reputation that preceded you.” His gaze locked on his wife’s.
Dyna couldn’t believe the tension passing between them.
“We fought each other, denying the attraction,” her mother said. “Because I was afraid of it. Of you.” Her mother’s gaze moved from her father to her, and she quickly blushed. “But I knew, in that moment, that my life would never be the same, yet I was afraid to see how it would change. Are you afraid of Derric for some reason, Dyna?”
She was, but she’d never admit it to her mother. Raging in her gut was a powerful fear that he would choose Senga over her. And if that happened after she’d admitted that she wanted him, that she might want to even marry him, she would look foolish to everyone.
Rejected.
She didn’t say any of that, but somehow her mother knew anyway.
“You’re being overdone,” Sela said. “If he chooses to take responsibility for his daughter, it’s not the same as rejecting you. You can’t turn love off so easily.”
She couldn’t help but snort at the word love. While Derric had feelings for her, it wasn’t love. Not yet.
But could it be? Could she hope they could have a relationship like her parents? If theirs had started so poorly, could the same not be said of the relationship she had with Derric? It had definitely been rocky from the start.
Yet she couldn’t walk away from him.
“And as for that piece of skin you mentioned earlier, you’ll not hear me arguing with you. Do with it as you wish. ’Tis your choice. No one but you.”
This time, she was left speechless.
***
Derric caught up with her that evening as she hurried outside, driven by a dream she’d had. She’d closed her eyes for a short while, exhausted from lack of sleep, and now sleep was the farthest thing from her mind. “Where are you headed?”
“I have a small archery field at the far end of the outer bailey.”
“May I come along?”
“Of course. I need to see if I’ve lost any of my skills.”
“You’re too skilled to lose your abilities so quickly.”
Should she tell him more about her premonition? About the new fears that had twined with the old?
“I hope you’re correct.” She glanced up at him and he smiled, that handsome smile that always sent a shiver through her.
He didn’t mince words, putting his question to her directly. “Have you decided yet if you wish to travel with me?”
“I’m still considering it.”
“The Bruce could use your help.” He settled his hands on his hips, and it took all of her control not to wrap her arms around him and rest her head on his chest. Even now, she wished to touch him. To feel his heat. Because she sensed he struggled with his own feelings as much as she did with hers.
He didn’t like not knowing if he had a bairn out there, and she sensed that part of the reason was because he did care about her. Mayhap it was time to end this situation. Mayhap she’d even help him find Senga, in the hopes that the bairn would prove not to be his daughter. Either way, all the dreams she was having pointed to being off Grant land.
“I’ll go with you. I promised Grandsire I would keep him abreast of the Bruce’s activities. Papa will send a score of guards to aid in any skirmish we meet along the way.”
His shoulders dropped immediately. “Then we leave at first light.”
She stopped to face him after leading him to an isolated spot where they wouldn’t