An Oath Sworn Read Online Free PDF

if she called.
    He rubbed his temple and tried to ignore the throbbing in his left shoulder and the dizziness he couldna shake. He needed to deliver the missive to King Philip, nae ponder the thoughts Alesia inspired. A sword’s wrath! The only reason he’d agreed to escort her to his friend was that ’twas too dangerous for her to be in the Highlands alone.
    Disgusted with that lie, he shot a cool look to where he knew she lay. Aye, and so what if she intrigued him? ’Twas nae the same feelings he had had for Elizabet. Pain lanced his heart at the thought of the woman he loved. With a grimace, he scanned the surroundings. She was happy now. He should be happy for her. And he would be. When was another matter.
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    Two days later, Colyne strode through the forest with Alesia at his side. Though his body hadna fully recovered and against her objections, he’d announced it was time for them to leave.
    A grim smile touched his lips. For his sanity, he couldna remain trapped within the cave with her another day. It had taken every ounce of his willpower nae to satisfy his question of how her mouth would feel beneath his.
    â€œHow is your shoulder?” she asked, her tone crisp.
    â€œAm I slowing you?”
    Impatience simmered in her eyes. “Not at the moment.”
    Colyne laughed. He should have found disapproval in her outspoken manner. Instead, he was fascinated by her intelligence, impressed by her ability to debate him on the most insignificant of issues and, on occasion, to reason a point to where he conceded to her view.
    He didna have the heart to inform the lass that he’d kept his pace slow more out of concern for her than his injury. He’d dealt with worse discomfort in his life, but traveling afoot through the Highlands proved an arduous trek for a knight familiar with such demands, much less a gentlewoman. And the slippers she wore offered her little protection against the sticks and rocks strewn about the forest floor.
    At the break in the trees, a glen lay before them, thick with rich blades of grass scattered with heather. He scanned the familiar, narrowed tract of land. Soon they would arrive at Stephano’s home. His friend would secure her safe passage to France. With a fresh mount and Alesia in trusted hands, he would be on his way.
    And he would miss her.
    Greatly.
    â€œYou said you had three sisters and a brother?” She glanced over, her eyes bright with interest. “Are you close?”
    â€œAye. And what of your family? Are you close as well?”
    She looked away and kept walking. “Are you the eldest?”
    â€œYou have nae answered my question,” he said, remembering her avoidance of speaking about herself before.
    â€œI have many relatives,” she finally replied, “many of whom disagreed with my decision to live on my own or to aid those who are less fortunate.” She shrugged. “I should not pry into your private life.”
    A smile touched his mouth. “I wish to pry into yours.”
    Alesia stared straight ahead, nae allowing Colyne the luxury of discerning her reaction. “I have led a very boring life.”
    â€œI doubt that,” she said.
    When she didna respond further, his smile grew. “Your silence will only make me more curious.”
    She halted and turned with a scowl. “This is not a game we play. There are men out there who, for various reasons, want both of us dead. What difference does it make if you know of my family, or if I have chosen to live a simpler life without the false pageantry of nobility?”
    â€œIs that what you have chosen?” Colyne caught her hand as she started to turn away. “I did nae mean to upset you.”
    â€œThe fault is mine. I was the one who asked about your family. I will not do so again.” She shot a cool look at his hand. “Now release me.”
    â€œWhat are you afraid of?”
    â€œWe both have secrets neither of us are