Free Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1) by April Holthaus

started to shiver from the cold. Thankful for the warmth of his chest, she didn’t mind in the least.
    “Are ye alright, my lady?”
    “Nay, I am no’ alright but little does that matter! Will we be finding shelter soon?” she asked as rain dripped off the ends of her hair.
    “If we come across shelter we will stop. Until then, the plaid will have to do.”
     
    They rode for another half hour until they came to a rocky hill with an overhang from a cliff. Ian slowed his horse and called to the others what they had found.
    “Is that a shallow cave?” Keira asked.
    “Nay! The earth gave way after a heavy rain and created that cavity. ‘Tis no’ what I’d choose for shelter under normal circumstances, but it’s better than riding any further in this pissing rain!”
    Ian dismounted before helping Keira down. With her legs sore from riding, she almost lost her balance, and grabbed onto Ian’s forearm for support. It amazed her how strong his arm felt under her fingers, as hard as a rock. His skin was much smoother than she had imagined it would be for a beast like him. He placed a hand on the small curve of her back and gazed down at her. For a brief moment, the atmosphere between them changed, and the air seemed to lighten. She couldn’t decide if it was because of him, or the storm.
    Looking up at him, his eyes were the perfect shade of blue, like two perfectly carved sapphires. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. His lips were full and thick like small pillows and she felt the strange desire for him to kiss her. Suddenly, as if his arm had become too hot to touch, she released her hand from it. She stepped away, wringing her hands.
    She was getting dangerously close to her captor. She should hate him, fear him, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel that way. Not anymore. Though still apprehensive, she was beginning to trust him.
    Keira followed Ian, out of the rain, to the earthen shelter. The muscles in her thighs ached as she walked. Stretching them out, she seemed to be the only one affected by the long travel. Her eyes followed the other two men who seemed to ignore her. Both Rylan and Leland stayed by their horses, digging in their packs.
    Digging in his pack, Leland pulled out a small knife from his bag. Swinging the blade at his side, he looked at her and wickedly grinned. She didn’t know what to make of his actions, but Rylan had already voiced his opinion of her, and his dissatisfaction that Ian had decided to keep her with them. Rylan was a man she would keep her distance from as much as possible. Keira swallowed hard when he looked at her, and she took a step closer to Ian. She had learned to trust him but as for the other two, trust would need to be earned. There was no saying what they would do to her if Ian weren’t there to protect her.
    “Ian, we need to find food. I’m hungrier than a wolf,” Leland announced, not lifting his eyes from Keira.
    “Aye. I will join ye,” Ian replied. Turning around, he faced Keira. “I need fer ye to stay put. Ye will be safe here.”
    “Yer leaving?” she nervously asked.
    “Aye, but I will no’ be gone long. Promise me ye will stay!”
    Keira nodded her head. After strapping his sword to his side, Ian pulled out a small dagger from his bag and slipped it inside a sheath that hung off his belt and grabbed the reins of the horse, leading the animal into the woods. Keira watched all three men quietly walk deeper into the woods until the trees seemed to close behind them.
    Looking around the surrounding area, Keira took notice of the moss-covered rocks embedded into the hard sandstone. The arch of the overhang, and the way the earth had been naturally carved out beneath it reminded her of a magic doorway. It was like the ones she described in the stories she read to her youngest sister, Abby. Only five summers, Abby loved when Keira told her tales of fairies and mystical creatures. Now she had new stories to tell; ones about giant warriors, thieves, bandits