Or that they sabotaged her plans.

His father’s words rang in Duncan’s head. “Don’t underestimate Grainna. She lived for five hundred years before she went into exile. She will crave youth like a lover craves release. And stop at nothing to get it. With her power restored by the virgin, she would crush you with a thought. With power gained by your death, Grainna will return here and destroy us all.”

This time Duncan knew, they played Grainna’s game of chess, and unlike before, she already held the Bishop.

While Fin rode deep in the forest to bring their armor, Duncan purposely spent time talking to the people of the fair. The women melted at his accent.

His smile had them stepping on their tongues.

Once he learned where Tara’s tent was, he spent much of his time finding its weak points. He set up an entry, or more important, her escape. Then set out to find the maiden once again.

He found Tara in the dining arena pushing food around on her plate. She hadn’t eaten anything.

Every so often she would glance up, as if knowing another set of eyes were on her.

She saw him from across the yard. A flash of recognition went over her before she darted her eyes away.

She appeared tired and annoyed at all the attention. The men who approached her were met with dismissive eyes. Duncan didn’t need any special gifts to realize her temper was starting to boil.

The wait wasn’t long before Tara abandoned her friend for the serenity of her tent. She stormed away, practically running to her quarters.

Once inside Duncan heard her shouting at Grainna’s man. “Get out!”

Duncan waited.

“I didn’t sign on for this, Bruno. If you don’t leave, I am, and to hell with your court, your fancy dresses, tent and everything!”

The man retreated and stood guard outside the entrance of the tent.

Duncan slowly backed around behind the canvas, careful to keep his movements natural. He ran his fingers along the tent and found the straps he had loosened earlier. Within seconds, he slipped inside, completely unnoticed by anyone.

Tara sat at a vanity with her head lowered in the fold of her arms. Long strands of hair fell to the sides cocooning her face. Her fists clenching several times did nothing to ease her frustration. “What the hell am I still doing here?” Tara asked herself out loud. “Cassy’s off playing lady of the court, or whatever the hell else. What would she care if I left right now?”

A movement and rustling of fabric caught her attention. Her eyes flung open, her breath caught at the sight of a massive form in a dark cloak standing inside the room. She opened her mouth to scream and found a large hand covering it up.

He moved so fast, she didn’t get out the smallest shriek. “Quiet, lass, I’m not going to hurt you.”

The voice was familiar, but Tara couldn’t see his face. She opened her eyes wide and started to struggle in his grip.

“Stop, or else you’ll call her man in here.” The man removed the hood off his head with his free hand. She relaxed slightly once she recognized him, but kept her eyes alert. “You won’t scream if I let go?” She shook her head. With his grip loosened she turned away from him and gave herself a few feet of distance. She calculated how fast she could make it to the opening of the tent. “What are you doing here?” she hissed out, careful to keep her voice low.

The man opened his mouth to give an explanation, shut it, then opened it again. “I never had the opportunity to apologize for last night for your injuries. Today I can’t get near ye, ah, you without one of those men blocking my way.”

Suspicious, she creased her brows. Her eyes peered deep inside him to see if he spoke the truth.

“In that case, apology accepted.”

He gave a timid smile. “I’m sorry to sneak in on you. I hope I didn’t startle you too much.”

“You scared the hell out of me.”

“Then I must apologize again.” He bowed. “I’m very sorry.”

“Don’t do it again.”

“As you wish.”

Slowly the hair on Tara’s arms started to return to normal. The massive man standing before her felt less like a threat than the guard at her door. “What I wish doesn’t seem to be what anyone around here is thinking of.”

“Perhaps I should leave the same way I came.

No one will know I was here.” He turned away.

“Wait.” Tara scanned the tent. “How did you get in here?”

“There’s a hole in the canvas.” He moved to the opening and lifted the folds, showing her the daylight. “Look for yourself.”

Hope springs eternal. I have an out! I can breathe a bit of summer air, without Bruno breathing down my shoulders. Peace, tranquility.

She shuffled for a few seconds, almost giddy with the possibility of getting away. “Hey, you wouldn’t mind helping me get out of here for a while would you? This whole royalty thing is making me nuts.”

He sent her a puzzling look and a slightly wicked grin. “Aye, I’ll help you escape.”

Her words came on a thankful sigh. “Great. Let me just leave Cassy a note.” She scribbled a message and placed it on the mirror where it would be noticed.

“Here, you’ll need this.” He took off the cape he wore and draped it around her shoulders. It was dreadfully hot, but Tara knew she would be spotted the minute she showed her face. She tucked her hair down her back and pulled the hood over her head.

“How’s this?” she asked.

“Good, follow me.” He took her hand and led her to freedom.

No one saw them leave. They moved quickly, skirting the parameter of the campground. Tara wasn’t sure where they were headed, and frankly didn’t care. She was just happy to get away from all the people.

His horse was settled and grazing beyond the makeshift village. He mounted in one fluid motion, like a dancer. Hesitating when she noticed the size of the horse, Tara stood with her feet firmly on the ground.

“Are ye coming, lass?” He held out a hand.

She stared at his hand and then the horse. “This is crazy!” She grabbed her gallant stranger’s hand and felt her weight being tossed on the back of the horse.

He didn’t give her time to get comfortable before yelling a command. “Hold on.”

The horse took off in a full gallop. She clenched his waist to keep from being thrown off.

Once the camp was no longer in sight, Tara tossed the hood of the cape back, and let her hair flow through the wind. “Yee Haw!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. “Freedom... at last!”