Read Online Surviving Scotland by Kristin Vayden - Free Book Online Page B

my current situation.
    “Of course!”
    Ioan bowed again, only this time he glanced at me expectantly. I shook my head but clapped anyway.
    “Thank ye!” Ioan’s clothes dripped onto the already saturated earth. He wiped his brow with his hand and shook his head spraying me with water.
    “What are ye doin’!” I shouted, putting my hands up to shield myself from the water.
    “Givin’ ye less than ye deserve. In fact…” Ioan’s green eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint and I took a step back. He took a step forward and I took another one back only to find myself against a tree. Ioan chuckled and advanced faster. His arms reached around and pulled me into a tight hug, soaking my clothes.
    “Aaaahhh!” I squealed against his freezing body.
    “Shh, lass, yer warm. Donna move.”
    “Get away from me! Ye are like a wet dog!”
    “Woof.”
    “Eww! Ye are getting me soaked to the skin!”
    “That’s the idea.”
    I shoved hard and Ioan backed away but only far enough to see my face.
    “I told ye it wouldna turn out well for ye.” Though Ioan’s voice was teasing, his eyes smoldered, and my belly flipped in response. Lost in his emerald gaze, I couldn’t have glanced away if I’d wanted to. He held me captive. The heat that began to radiate from his body, as he was pressed up against mine, made my skin prickle with awareness. I clenched my fist to resist the urge to caress his jaw. His dark hair appeared black, since it was wet, and it made the color of his eyes burn with a deeper intensity.
    Ioan’s gaze searched my own, and his eyes traced the lines of my face as if memorizing them. His eyes locked onto my lips and his expression was tormented. He leaned forward slightly. Was he going to kiss me? I wanted him to. With a desperation I didn’t know existed, I wanted to feel his lips caressing my own and be lost in his warm embrace. I held my breath and waited, watching the inner conflict in Ioan’s eyes, wondering which side would win.
    His lips hovered just over mine, and his warm breath tickled my skin. I swallowed compulsively, and I gently exhaled the breath I was holding. Ioan’s eyes drifted closed, but he didn’t move closer; he stood frozen just a breath away from kissing me. All I needed to do was lean slightly forward to meet his lips. But if I were to experience my first kiss, at least the first kiss I remembered, then I wanted it to be given, not taken. For what seemed like an eternity, I waited, but then Ioan stepped back. His eyes watched me intently, searching for answers to questions I didn’t know.
    “Ioan…” I whispered, my voice hoarse from the tension of the past few moments.
    His eyes darkened with desire but he blinked quickly and turned away. He stared into the trees for a moment before turning back toward me. His handsome face turned up into a familiar grin and he tipped his chin up as he spoke.
    “I’ll race ye to the castle. I promise to go slow.”
    He raised his eyebrows in challenge and I grinned back, though part of me was even more confused at his change in demeanor. I shook my head at him, and then took off, knowing whatever distance I was able to achieve wouldn’t be enough. Ioan passed me, turned and ran backward for a moment, winked, then rushed ahead taking a piece of my heart with him.
    ****
    Later that night as I was lying in my bed, I thought over the almost-kiss. I was certain I hadn’t imagined his intent as I replayed Ioan’s face gazing down at me. But something was stopping him; I just wished I knew what. I shook my head and rolled over, kicking the blankets off, then pulling them back on when I grew chilly. I thought back over our mock duel. When Ioan and I had fought in the woods, every move I had made was instinct, but why? Where did I learn to sword fight? Where did I learn how to maneuver from a hold? Obviously part of my mind was aware of my training before I took sick, but why couldn’t I remember any of it? Frustrated, I sighed and rose