Out of Time ★ [1] ✔

For Love Or Survival

I'd lived in the MacKenzie Castle for over a year. It was nicer to live in somewhere warm rather than a damp cave. The only downside: I was always surrounded by drunk Scotsman. But I was glad to have Henry with me. He wasn't like the others. He ate like a carnivore and drank like a pirate on occasion, but he wasn't like them. I enjoyed his company.

The leader of the clan—Dougal MacKenzie—was not as kind as Henry, however. He was more of a tyrant than a fair ruler. He drank like a fish, he was abusive, and he loved women. What more could you ask in an absolute "monarch"? 

Henry was not fond of the man either. I believed it was why we got on so well: a mutual hate for a drunk buffoon. The only good thing about MacKenzie was that he had given me my own horse. That was kind of him.

The night was warmer this time. I stood in the stable, brushing down my mare. It was a peaceful job. I enjoyed doing it. It gave me time to think.

"Hello, Audra." Henry appeared next to me, tankard in hand. "Ya missin' the celebration."

"I needed to think," I replied, not looking at him. "Away from drunken men trying to take me to bed."

He chuckled. "Aye. That's all drunken men are good for."

I smiled. "Well, not all of them."

Henry stood close to me, so close that I was trembling nervously. I felt his skin brush against my own. He smelled like stale ale and smoked meat. I'd gotten used to the scent, and I was beginning to like it.

"How about we go for a ride, eh?" he offered. "It's a lovely night."

My horse nickered as if telling me to accept. She pushed me with her head. I fell into Henry, who wrapped his arms around me. I looked up at him. His bright green eyes sparkled.

"I-I would be honoured to," I mumbled.

"Uh, great. I'll get to saddlin' the nags."

He swiftly saddled his horse and mounted it as I did the same before we galloped off.

I was glad I was wearing a cloak. The horses were going so fast that snow flew and my hair whipped behind me. 

We rode for what felt like hours until Henry pulled his horse to a stop. We were in the middle of nowhere, but I realised that it was where we first met.