Page 26 of A Fierce Archer

“Is it necessary that he go with ye?”

Ewan looked from Broden to her and back. “If ye would prefer to find the chamber and help set it up, I am more than willing to return to packing.”

He walked away and Catriona turned to Broden.

“Where is the empty bedchamber?”

“I do not know. I live at the guards’ quarters.”

Catriona glared up at him. “The bairns are falling asleep. They need a place to sleep.”

“I didn’t mean to...”

“There will never be anything between ye and me,” Catriona hissed. “Nor between me and anyone else. Please leave me be.” She hurried off, hoping to catch Ewan.

Chapter Seven

The arrow hit the target’s center. Ewan let out a breath and released a second one. This one was not as accurate.

Despite his injury, returning to archery made him feel whole again. The tension, release of breath, and loosing an arrow was like an extension of himself. Ewan placed another arrow, went through the motions and upon releasing it, he caught sight of Ava Fraser.

The woman watched him from the side of the building. Her gaze moved from him to the target.

He’d leave the next day, so it was best to speak to her once and for all.

At Ewan approaching, she stood her ground. The woman was not easy to intimidate, he knew it first-hand. So many questions whirled in his mind. But the main question was one only Ava Fraser could answer.

“Do ye ever miss?” she asked in a flat tone. “Even with yer injury, yer accuracy is without compare.”

“I have missed before, usually when I’m distracted.” Ewan looked to the target. “As ye can see.”

When she lifted her gaze to his again, he realized why Keithen did not stand a chance in not falling for the beauty. Her golden-brown eyes were slanted up at the outside corners, her lips were full and, although she rarely smiled, they turned up at the corners, just a bit.

“Why did ye come to me?” she asked, motioning to him. “Is there something ye wish to tell me?”

Obviously, she suspected it was he who’d killed her father. Ewan decided it was time to confirm it. “I shot yer father. I assume ye suspected.”

“I did.” She looked straight ahead. “He was cruel and never kind. However, he was my father and I felt his death.”

“Will ye dress as the masked person again and try to kill me to avenge his death?”

She whirled to look at him with an expression of astonishment. “What do ye speak of?”

“The masked person who saved Keithen from attack in the forest. I think it is ye.”

Ava blew out a breath and waved her hand dismissing his words. “Ye are wrong. Ye are leaving then?”

“I am.”

“Good. I hold ye no ill will Ewan Ross. That said, I hope to never have to see ye again.”

“There is still one person who deserves to die. And it is not me,” Ewan told her.

She studied him for a long moment. “Who?”

“The guard with the red birthmark on his face. If ye are so bent on vengeance, then perhaps avenge what was done by yer clan to Catriona.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I helped her. It was I who demanded she be released upon learning she’d been sent to the guards.” Ava took a step closer to him. “Believe me when I say that they have been made to pay. Many died at the last attack by the Ross and Fraser Clans. Then the other attack by lesser clans finished off the rest of them. The current clan is no longer as powerful.”