Page 65 of Forbidden

“THAT—that wouldn’t be wise,” Amber said raggedly.

“On the contrary, precious Amber. It would be the wisest thing I have ever done.”

“But we shouldn’t—we can’t—”

The slow drawing of Duncan’s fingertips over Amber’s lips scattered her words and her thoughts. She could sense his desire so clearly that it made her tremble.

And even more clearly she sensed his restraint.

“Duncan?” Amber asked, confused.

“I won’t take you,” he said simply. “I don’t know what I did to you in the past that you fear my desire now, but I do know that you fear it.”

“It is not—what you—dear God—you must not take me!”

“Hush, precious Amber.” Duncan sealed her lips with a gentle pressure of his thumb. “I won’t take you. Do you believe me?”

Amber felt the truth in Duncan, a certainty even stronger than the passion that burned within him.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I believe you.”

A long, low breath that was almost a groan came from deep in his chest.

“Thank you,” Duncan said. “In the past, no one would have questioned my oath. But here…here I must prove my worth and honor all over again.”

“Not to me. I sensed your honor and your pride very clearly the first time I touched you.”

Duncan gave Amber’s mouth a tender, brushing movement of his lips that was almost too light to be called a kiss.

“Come,” he said softly, holding out his hand. “Walk with me.”

Amber laced her fingers through Duncan’s and trembled at the banked fires of passion that burned so intensely in his body.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To find a place of shelter.”

“The wind isn’t cold.”

“Not while we wear our mantles,” he agreed.

What Duncan left unsaid rippled through Amber in a wave of unease and anticipation combined.

The murmuring of sea and grass and wind followed both of them to the base of a low rise. There man had once smoothed a circle to raise tall stones within. Though the builders had long since vanished, the grassy circle and stones remained.

“This place is sheltered,” Amber said. “Unless you fear the stones?”

For a moment Duncan closed his eyes. Senses that slept within him until times of danger quivered to alertness at his prodding, found nothing of concern, and sank into timeless sleep again.

Amber, whose hand was still joined with Duncan’s, watched him with amazement. Because of Cassandra’s teaching, Amber knew that if ancient evil had ever lingered near the circle of stones, the evil had long since fled from the place.

And so did Duncan, who had never been taught.

He must be an unknown knight. I am silly to keep fearing he is the Scots Hammer, enemy of Erik.

“There is nothing to fear in the stones,” he said after a moment.

“You are Learned,” Amber said.