Hector knocked on the door and waited patiently.The door opened, and one of the maids appeared in the opening. Her eyebrows rose at seeing all these men on the doorstep."How can I help?" she asked. Her voice tremored.The bottom of her skirt was wet, and in her hands, she was holding a wet cloth that she was mopping the living room floor with when the door knocked, and she went to open it."I want to speak to Lord Malcolm." Hector answered. "Can you call him?"The maid swallowed hard, clutching the wet garment in her hands. She looked behind her anxiously, but there was no one to be seen."Um… I- I'm not sure if he's here," she responded.Hector looked at her and narrowed his eyes. What did she mean she was not sure? Was she trying to cover for him?“How come you're not sure if he's here or not? Are you covering for him?" he asked bluntly, leaning darkly toward her.The maid took a step back, and her face paled. Her breaths became rapid."Come on, Hector, stop it, you're scaring her
The door slammed, drawing the attention of the men who, up until that moment, were commenting on everything that had happened in the castle, while at the same time, they were busy tending to the horses. All eyes were on her, and Skye wasn't used to that. She had never wished to attract attention, especially from men. And now six heads had turned to look at her, freezing her in place. She looked at them, forcing herself to smile. Hector's heart slammed at the sight of her and he felt his legs melting. Oh my God! That flush that crept across her cheeks, made his heart bloom like a rose, as her cheeks had bloomed now. An irresistible force drove him across the stone path that led to the door of the house and near to her. Approaching her, he placed his hands behind his back and held them tightly, fighting the urge to reach for her. Skye watched him come towards her. His eyes never left hers, not for a moment, and Skye couldn't take hers from his, it was as if a magnetic force had lock
The sun had risen in all its shape and brightness. The women in the house were already awake, and Talisha was helping Delma prepare breakfast for everyone.Skye was sitting at the table with a mug of hot tea in front of her.She couldn't drink it hot, so she braided her hair until it cooled down a bit. She had parted her hair in the middle and brought it to the front right and left of her head, using a small old hand mirror attached to a wooden box. She had watched Maysie make them so many times that she had learned how to do it herself."They are very beautiful," Maysie told her when Skye had finished, and she had taken the mirror to look at them closely, turning her head a little to the side right and left.She turned her eyes to her. "I had a good teacher," she replied, and Maysie laughed."Breakfast is almost ready," Delma announced. “I need one last ingredient. Skye?” addressed to her."Can you please go to the herb garden and get me marjoram and mint?"Skye looked at her. "Do yo
Delma walked to the end of the path and looked around to see if the men had returned, but no one was there.She continued to the apple orchard, wondering what her next move would be. She couldn't decide if she would go near Hector or not. She didn't know what she would face. What if he slept naked? Although it was something that ruled it out, it crossed her mind that she might not find him in a decent state, and they would both be in an awkward position. No, she didn't want that. Mainly for Hector than for herself.So she decided what to do so there would be no problem.She moved a little further and began to call him. “Hector, Hector. Where are you?"She called him a few more times until she got a response."Just a minute, I'm coming." Hector answered.Delma smiled and shook her head. She decided not to tell him anything about Skye so as not to disappoint him.She saw him approaching her, laden with his bedding."What happened?" he asked."Were you still asleep?"Hector nodded. "I r
They had finished eating, and Delma was clearing the table. “Until Talisha and I clean up, why don't you three go outside for a walk? Maysie needs to start walking, but not on her own yet. "It's such a lovely day today, I am sure you will enjoy it." They agreed and went out for a walk. "Hold me by the waist for support, Maysie." Hector urged her. Maysie obeyed, though she didn't feel comfortable with that at first. Her hesitation lasted until she wrapped her arm around his waist and realized Hector was right. She felt safer using her shaky legs. A stitch of jealousy shot through Skye's heart, and she closed her eyes tightly for a moment. Is it possible that she was jealous of Maysie? She took Maysie's free hand and squeezed it in hers. No, she wasn't jealous of Maysie, but Maysie's arm enveloped Hector's waist. She took a deep breath and wished it was her hand around his waist. She bit her lower lip. What was she thinking? That was foolish of her, as Hector had no desire for he
It was early afternoon when they arrived at the castle the next day.The previous night, they had stopped to rest and sleep.Men were divided into pairs for being on the lookout. There was a pair change every two hours.In the morning, Skye had woken up more tired than she had gone to bed. She hadn't slept well last night. She wasn't used to sleeping outside, and the slightest noise woke her.And she remembered very clearly that whenever she opened her eyes during the night, she noticed that Hector was nearby, sitting close to the fire or leaning against a nearby tree.His eyes were always turned towards the side where the women were sleeping.Each time Skye closed her eyes feeling safe.Hector and his men led their horses to the stables so they could be cared for by the stablemen.Skye and Maysie were left in the care of the servants and maids.After the greetings and broad smiles of welcome, one of the maids led Skye and Maysie to the chamber where Skye lived."Finally!" Skye sighed
Hector escorted the two girls through the corridors. Skye held Maysie's hand tightly, offering more consolation to herself than to Maysie."I feel like I'll never learn to find my way on my own," Skye said.“You'll learn, don't worry. All it takes is a little time."Did that mean they would live here after the wedding?Skye nodded. "Can Maysie sit next to me at the table?" she asked him."Yes, but Maysie?" he addressed her and turned to look at her."Yes, Hector?"“I love to hear you talk about a thousand things, but please, for this time, only speak if you are asked to, okay? When the king addresses you, or calls you to get close to him, bow before you answer and call him, Highness. Don’t forget it. Okay?""Yes, no problem Hector. Anything you want." Maysie answered him.Hector laughed softly. "That's my girl."Skye squeezed Maysie's hand in hers. "I'm not hiding from you, I started feeling nervous," she told him.Hector nodded. "I understand, but there is no need. Everything is goin
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and her blood froze in her veins under his slimy caress.Skye didn’t know what to do. How should she react? Was she allowed to react? The man before her was Hector's brother and the future King.Hector growled and grabbed Donncha's hand, twisting it hard."Did I warn you to let go of her or not?"Skye watched Donncha's face contort into a grimace of pain as he showed exalted pride and didn't make the slightest sound of pain.Hector leaned close to his face."I swear to God, if you ever consider touching her again, I won't hold myself back," he hissed his warning and continued squeezing his hand. Donncha's face had turned red, being unable to utter a word.“Stop, Hector! Let him!” Roisin interjected. “Haven’t you realized that Donncha likes to tease you? He was just joking. You don't have to break his hand.” she said, placing her hand on Hector's. “You can leave him now. Please," she whispered her last words, looking Hector in the eyes.His g