The moment she sank to the ground, Keir caught her in his arms, gently easing her down to the forest floor. Her hood fell back, revealing her soft features, finally relaxed as her eyes lay closed. Her fair tresses had been braided down her back, giving her a stern expression. Only a few wisps of hair seemed to refuse obedience, curling along her temples in determined resistance.
Keir smiled. "What is it ye fear so, little wisp?" he murmured, pulling the cloak tighter around her against the cold. Then he looked up, his gaze moving from the carriage to the two waiting horses. "There's nothing for it."
Kneeling down beside her, Keir hoisted her up into his arms. "Ye weigh almost nothing, little wisp," he murmured, shifting her easily as he approached the bay gelding. "'Tis almost as though ye're not truly here."
As Keir stepped onto a conveniently located tree stump and then pulled himself—and her!—up and into the saddle, her soft weight and gentle warmth made him wonder who she was. Aye, she was real, a woman of flesh and blood. She had had a life. One that had taught her to be wary, if not downright afraid. And yet courage still beat in her heart, or she would not be here.
In this moment.
With him.
Settling her in front of him, her head resting against his shoulder, Keir urged the gelding onward, away from the road and into the forest. A click of his tongue made the mare follow. "I'll see ye safe, little wisp," he murmured as he looked down into the young woman's face. "I promise ye."
