Page 20 of A Fearless Rebel

“Yer family is looking for ye,” Keithen said matter-of-factly, looking around her in case someone else was there. “Why are ye here?”

Not quite recovered from the scare, all she did was look at him, her eyes wide. If he decided to kill her, which she believed he was capable of, no one would ever be the wiser.

Keithen took her elbow and guided her to a chair. “Sit.”

Instead of sitting, Ava hurried around the table to put space between them. He was larger, stronger and even faster, but she would fight until the bitter end. Narrowing her eyes, she watched him closely for any movement.

For a moment, they locked gazes. His expression was unclear, his thoughts a mystery. Even though she hoped hers were as well, Ava knew better. The terror she felt at the moment, the knowledge it was possibly her last day was impossible to keep hidden.

“We must figure out a way to get ye back home before yer father uses the absence as an excuse to attack us again,” Keithen said, pulling back a chair, turning it and then straddling the spindly piece. “Yer cousin,” he tapped the side of his head attempting to remember the name, “Gavin, I believe, came to see me. It seems yer mother is keeping yer absence hidden.”

“Why would ye help me? This is the perfect opportunity…” Ava stopped speaking, realizing she was an idiot.

Keithen’s eyes narrowed. “Is that what ye hoped? To be killed? Is the reason ye came to my family’s lands an attempt to die?”

“No. Of course not. There was no moon visible and I became disoriented. I planned to head to MacBean lands and then further south.”

“I see.” His jaw flexed. “I am not sure if ye disappearing would help or hinder my clan.”

Ava grasped on the opportunity. “Help me escape. My father will not be able to force yer clan to any agreement if I am gone.”

He seemed to consider it for a moment. “I must think on it.”

“There is no time,” Ava said, moving closer now that she felt better about her chances of living. “Did ye plan to kill me?”

“I did not.” The man frowned. “I do not kill defenseless women. Although, I have a hard time thinking of ye as defenseless.”

He eyed the visible short sword at her waist and the corners of his lips lifted. For an inexplicable reason, for the first time in her life, Ava felt as if she could make a friend. It was the most ridiculous notion, but something about Keithen Fraser gave her ease and, even stranger, comfort.

“Very well, I will help ye,” he finally said. “But first, I must go to my home and create some sort of reason for my absence.”

“It should only take a day, two at the most,” Ava said, “I am a good rider.”

“Aye, I have seen,” he replied. “I will return in the morning. Meanwhile…” he looked around. “Have ye eaten anything?”

“Oats.”

“Come.” He held out his hand. “Tis a better way to hide ye.”

Unsure why she did so, Ava took his hand and, together, they went outside. A short time later, with a hood over her head, they arrived at his home.

Ava had never seen anything like it. Guards and people mingled about, chatting, laughing and sitting at long tables, sharing a meal. Everyone seemed at ease, even the warriors who eyed her with curiosity.

Upon dismounting, she hurried after Keithen into the main house where the same kind of atmosphere took place in the great room. No one took much notice of them as they made their way up a set of stairs and down a corridor.

“Early for a tryst,” a guard said with a chuckle.

“It’s never too early,” Keithen replied and laughed.

With a firm hold on her elbow, he pulled her into a bedchamber and closed the door behind them.

Ava removed her hood and glared up at him. “Ye would allow them to think I am some sort of whore for hire?”

“Tis best to hide in plain view at times,” Keithen replied with a one-shoulder shrug that made her huff out loud. “They do not suspect it is ye. That is for sure.” Then holding out a hand, he motioned around the room. “Make yerself comfortable. I will get ye some food. Do not open the door or speak to anyone. Am I understood?”

When he left, she took her cloak off and wandered around in a circle, much too restless to sit. This had to be the worst escape ever. Somehow, she’d ended up hiding in the exact place she was fighting to avoid.

Sounds from outside caught her attention and she hurried to the window. Was it possible her father was there to attack already?