With a sigh, Heather reached up to tug at the golden necklace around her neck. It was worth a small fortune and had been in their family for years. Heather’s grandmother had gifted it to her when she was born as part of a secret bond they shared, and she never took it off. It was times like this when she felt alone, that touching her necklace reminded her that she was loved.

Still, standing by herself was worrisome and she wished that one of the lads in town would ask her to dance as well. Any of them at all. Everyone looked so happy and wrapped up in the night’s festivities, Heather just wanted to be included.

She released the golden chain and walked back towards the food table. Heather reached out to get something to drink and a voice spoke up behind her.

The black-haired beauty turned at the sound of her name and found Conrad standing there, causing her to gasp.

“Conrad, I dinnae see ye there.”

Her heart beat fast at seeing him unaccompanied and felt her cheeks get hot. There were whispers in the village he had a temper and most of the women didn’t like him. Even though he was handsome, Conrad had a way of making them uncomfortable. Heather had never experienced any of this herself, she’d always thought him handsome and agreeable. He had broad, strong shoulders and raven black hair that any lass would find attractive. A smile crept across his face as he approached her in the fire light. “Sorry if I startled ye,” he apologized. “’Twas not my intention. How do ye fare this eve?”

Heather’s breath caught in her chest when his eyes finally met hers. Her stomach was tangled up in knots at finding herself the center of his attention. It was so unexpected and flattering to have the handsome warrior speak to her, she struggled to find the words that would not embarrass her. “Rather well, I suppose. I was just watching the couples dance.”

Conrad scoffed, though his eyes were fixed on her like a wolf. “Ah, dancing. What a ridiculous custom, dinnae ye think?”

Heather blushed from embarrassment at the intensity of his gaze, saying, “Actually, I thought it looked rather fun…”

Conrad’s expression shifted, and he leaned in so their arms were practically touching. “Perhaps for those who have a partner. Alas, I have come here alone and without anyone to celebrate with.”

She dropped her gaze and smiled. “Ye could always ask someone.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible. Nae person in the village likes me, so all attempts I’ve made have fallen on deaf ears.”

Her stomach fluttered at his confession and she could feel her heart beat faster. “I-I like ye,” she told him quietly. As the words escaped her lips, Heather felt exposed. She immediately became vulnerable to his rejection and hoped that he wouldn’t tease her.

Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Ye do? What a relief it is to hear ye say that, fer I am rather fond of ye as well.”

Heather’s smile widened. He brushed a finger across her hand, causing it to ignite with delicious tingles. “We could dance together if ye like,” she offered.

The warrior shook his head. “There’s too much noise. I’d much rather spend my time over here getting to ken ye better. Do ye mind if I join ye for a while?”

“Of course…”

She had always admired Conrad from afar, with his chiseled jawline and dark brown eyes. It was safe that way because he remained at arms-length, but this was real. Perhaps the other girls in town just didn’t understand him. Perhaps he was shy around other people. There was nothing shameful in that.

Conrad grinned, leaning in so that she could feel his breath upon her skin. “Ye’re very beautiful,” he told her. “Why have we never spent any time like this together before?”

Heather’s blush ignited once again, and she could feel the heat of it on her cheeks. “Mayhap ye dinnae notice me.”

Conrad reached out to place a finger beneath her chin. “Of course I have. As I said, I’m rather fond of ye.”

“Really?”

“Indeed,” he muttered softly. “Would ye care to take a walk with me? I’d like to show ye something.”

She glanced back towards the fire nervously and said, “What about the festival?”

“The festival can wait. I’d rather be alone with ye. All the noise between the music and chatter, it gives me a frightful headache. I can barely hear myself think. Wouldn’t ye just step outside with me for a moment?”

“I cannae just leave,” Heather insisted. “What would my parents think?”

“Oh, but ye can,” Conrad told her with a smile. “I thought ye liked me.”

Heather glanced one last time towards the fires and gave him a subtle nod. He smiled widely leading her out of the village green to a quiet path around the corner. Her body tingled with excitement as they snuck away together. A spotted horse was tied to a post outside with its reins and tack still in place for an evening ride.

Heather became suspicious at the sight of it and asked, “What’s this?”

“It’s a bit of a ride to get there,” Conrad explained. “I just want fer us to have some time alone together. Dinnae ye trust me?”

She gazed up at him trying to figure out what to say when Conrad slipped his arm around her waist. “Isn’t this what ye wanted?” he asked her softly. “We could forget all about this festival and ride together, just ye and me. What can I do to convince ye?”

Heather sighed at the promise in his words. Her lips parted Conrad placed a gentle kiss upon them. Her eyes flew open in shock, but Conrad held her captive pressing his lips hard against her. She thrilled at the warmth of his body next to her and leaned into him for support.

Conrad pulled away from her and traced a finger down her cheek, saying, “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Heather smiled when he took her hand and helped her up onto the horse. The tremendous beast was even larger than she imagined with its hairy shoulders and body under her. Her heart was pounding wildly at the thrill of his attention and running away together. Conrad untied the animal and climbed onto the horse in front of her, with the reins tightly clasped within his hand. Heather leaned forward to wrap her arms around his waist and said, “Just a short ride.”

“Aye,” the warrior chuckled. “They’ll never even ken we’re gone.”

He cracked the reins while digging his heel into the horse’s side, leading it down the hill and out of the village gate. As they left Elign behind them, Conrad brought the horse into a gallop and followed the river at the base of the hill. It led into a grove of trees and soon they were surrounded by a forest of towering oaks and evergreen.

“Where are ye taking me?” Heather giggled.

They rode on further until she got an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. She didn’t like going out into the woods at night, it was eerie and secluded. The branches reached out from the shadows like a gnarled arm, tearing at the hem of her tunic. Her legs were sore from riding on his horse so long and wind whipped through her hair. She clung to his body for support. It was deathly quiet and all she could hear was the hoot of an owl in the distance. He smiled, looking back over his shoulder as they rode, and said, “Ye’ll see.”

She’d never been this far out of the village before and her parents were sure to be worried. Everything looked new and different, but Conrad said that she was beautiful, and he kissed her. Surely, that meant he was in love with her. No lad in the village ever paid attention to her before, and certainly none like him.

Her breath quickened with every step, eager to find whatever place Conrad was leading her to. Moonlight dappled through the leaves overhead, casting an eerie shadow on the ground.

“Conrad, how much farther?” she asked him breathlessly. “I …cannae see where we are.”

“Hush,” he cooed, without even turning back to look at her. “We’re almost there.”

Heather pursed her lips and buried her face in the back of his shirt. Something about this didn’t seem right. Conrad wasn’t acting like himself, he was pushy and erratic – and in a hurry to get out of the village. He wouldn’t answer any of her questions either, which seemed odd. More than odd, it frightened her.

They journeyed through the trees on the east side of the village along the river until he said, “Ah. There it is.”

In the distance, she made out the silhouette of a house, but there was no smoke coming from the chimney. There was no light or anything at all coming from the structure, she wasn’t even sure it was a house. It looked abandoned and not suitable for habitation for quite some time, so why on earth would he have brought her here? Conrad stopped the horse when they arrived and dismounted on the forest floor. Heather threw her leg over the side and climbed down after him while glancing around nervously at their surroundings.

“Come on,” he commanded suddenly. “It’s just inside.”

“Conrad…”

“It’ll be fine,” he assured her. “This will be our little secret.”

She was about to protest when Conrad kissed her roughly on the lips and began leading her back towards the house. Heather tried to push him off, but he was so much stronger than her. Her feeble attempts to free herself only made Conrad fight back that much harder.

“What’s wrong?” he snarled as she broke away. “Ye come with me all this way and change yer mind?”

“I want to go home,” she told him. Tears streamed down her face and he backed her up against the wall with fire blaring in his eyes.

“Stop that,” he commanded. “It’s unattractive. Nae one would hear ye scream anyway.”

“Why are ye doing his?” Heather cried.

Conrad laughed. He tightened his grip around her arm and yanked her forward. “I’m going to get what I came here for one way or another. I suggest ye try and enjoy it.”

Heather shook with fear and his lips came down on her again. She wondered what he would do to her, and if he’d been planning this all along.