The Kingdom

36

"Keira!" Cahill exclaimed in a low tone, more like a whisper.

He looked at the couple unsure of what to do or how to proceed. His heart was racing so much it was preventing him from thinking clearly. It was dark but the light of his torch let him see Keira's erratic breathing. Her chest came up and down so fast, mirroring her fear and panic. Taking a quick glance at their horses it was clear to him what they were going to do, they were running away. He saw James pulling Keira's horse nearer him to protect her but his eyes pleaded for mercy while looking at Cahill. It would take just Cahill's yell of war to call for attention and they would be dead in seconds.

"Please..." James voiced his pleading. His voice came out low not to be heard and Cahill knew how humiliating it was for him to beg. A warrior and a prince would not beg in any circumstances and that man was begging him. "You can have me but let her go." James added.

"No!" Keira said with shaking voice and shook her head strongly. "No... Cahill please..." She said. Cahill took two steps closer.

"Shush!" He whispered.

"Let her go." James whispered looking directly in Cahill's eyes.

"Do you have any idea of what you are asking me?" Cahill told him.

"Yes." James nodded. "You are having doubts yourself otherwise you would have called your men already. I stay and accept my fate but please let her go in peace."

"No James... no..." Keira cried. "Please Cahill..." She begged. "...I beg you... what am I going to do with a child alone in the world? You are a father, Cahill... I beg you... please... please..." She grabbed James's hand and then looked at him desperately.

"Keira..." James tried to call for her reason but she didn't want to hear and shook her head even before he said anything else. "Listen to me..." He tried again.

"No." She said firmly and then looked at Cahill again.

Cahill puffed. He liked Keira so much, even after she left him the way she had. It turned out she had been the smarter of the two. The love he thought he had for her was nothing but a brotherhood feeling and she opened the way to be with the woman he had always wanted. It was true she had done things the worse possible way but he never wanted revenge, on the contrary, he always wanted her to be alright. He rubbed his face weighting the consequences of his decision but he couldn't think clearly. In a hasty move, he took the furry cloak off his shoulders and handed it to her.

"It's too cold and it seems like you don't have enough clothes." He said. Keira looked at him confused. "Take it, Keira." He insisted and she grabbed it. "It's going to snow, be careful."

"Thank you." James said being genuinely grateful for his gesture.

"Don't thank me." Cahill told him. "Just be worth of her love." James curled an eyebrow for he thought he was going to stay captive. "She's like a sister to me. I will find you if I know you are not a decent man to her."

"She is the best thing that happened to me." James guaranteed.

"Then honor her and your child. Now go and don't make any noise. Don't go near the lake, I have men watching there."

"Thank you, Cahill." Keira told him feeling her heart coming back to a normal rate.

"You must follow your fate now." Cahill said. "Your child will only be protected in his kingdom. I might have closed my eyes to it but others will come after that baby so be careful. Just don't let our people down."

"I promise." Keira told him.

"Now go... go..." He almost ordered.

James wanted to shake his hand cordially, like enemies playing truce but he hesitated. It was Cahill's hand that was extended first and he shook it gladly.