thumb wiped a small trace of blood from her lip.
Samantha pulled back away from his touch that left tingles in its wake and said, “This one was mine to handle, but thank you.” There was no time for flirting. As C.O., her leadership ability was all that mattered.
Faolan was about to add more, but Jeff interrupted, “You are right, only bruised ribs and a bruised kidney. I told Miller no pain killers as Jensen asked for the beating, and it’s nothing severe.”
Samantha nodded and turned back to Faolan. “Would it be all right if we strapped his pack to your horse?”
“You would coddle the man you should have killed?” Faolan asked with disbelief.
“Coddle, no. However, we still have a few hours left on foot, and I want him to be able to keep up with us. It’s not our way to kill our own men,” Samantha explained.
“Nor is it mine: however, none of my men would challenge my place as leader,” Faolan said.
“Jensen was scared, nothing more. I think he needed to know he was led by someone stronger,” Samantha said, hoping it was that simple.
Faolan looked at Boomer and said, “Next time let challengers face the strength by your side, or me.”
Samantha looked up at Boomer and said, “This bug guy? Don’t worry, he’s always got my back.” When Boomer laughed, she continued, “Would you and Jeff get everyone ready to go, please? We’ve taken the tranquil out of this place.”
Jeff nodded and called out, “Boots walking in five.” Then Boomer went to retrieve their packs.
Faolan asked quietly, “Do you expect more trouble from the man?”
Samantha looked up as she put her jacket back on and said, “I don’t think so, but we’ll keep an eye on him just the same.”
Faolan asked, “What did you mean you plan on going back?”
Samantha was surprised to see hurt on his face as he asked the question. “I don’t know if we can get back, but I need to try.” She tried to think of a simple and understandable way to answer the question. “My people are losing a war that I may be able to prevent. There is an object that I need to keep from being found, an object of great power. Does that make any sense to you?”
“I have heard many tales and legends of mythical objects. If you seek one you ken is real, then I understand,” Faolan answered. He then asked, “I saw you arrive. Where are you from?”
The smiling, flirting man was gone. In his place stood the leader of a tribe and a man who demanded truth. He also deserved it if he was going to shelter them. Samantha said, “We are from a land beyond the sea to the west and almost one thousand years from now.”
Faolan pondered the response even as the color drained slightly from his face. He asked with narrowed eyes, “How is that possible?”
“I made it possible,” she said.
The smile returned as he said, “You are strong, beautiful, and wise. Such a fine combination.”
Though she blushed at the compliment, Samantha asked, “Do you believe me?”
“I have heard enough whispers among your men and listened when you thought I was absent. There is belief if only because you dinna try to pretend otherwise with me. Besides it makes other tales seem possible,” Faolan said almost absently.
His reply echoed briefly in her head, other tales , even as her hand began to open and close again. Samantha shook her head to bring her back to the moment and asked, “What other tales?”
Faolan smiled. “When we reach my home, I will fill your nights with such tales. For now, thank you for your honesty, Samantha.”
Boomer closed in with her pack in hand. “You ready?”
Samantha strapped on the weight. “I need time to work tonight. There is something very big that I’m missing.”
Jeff was the one who answered, “Are you talking about connecting with that thing while we sit out in the open?”
“It’s important,” Samantha replied. “I just need two hours, max.”
Jeff looked at Boomer. “Is it safe for her to do
Samantha pulled back away from his touch that left tingles in its wake and said, “This one was mine to handle, but thank you.” There was no time for flirting. As C.O., her leadership ability was all that mattered.
Faolan was about to add more, but Jeff interrupted, “You are right, only bruised ribs and a bruised kidney. I told Miller no pain killers as Jensen asked for the beating, and it’s nothing severe.”
Samantha nodded and turned back to Faolan. “Would it be all right if we strapped his pack to your horse?”
“You would coddle the man you should have killed?” Faolan asked with disbelief.
“Coddle, no. However, we still have a few hours left on foot, and I want him to be able to keep up with us. It’s not our way to kill our own men,” Samantha explained.
“Nor is it mine: however, none of my men would challenge my place as leader,” Faolan said.
“Jensen was scared, nothing more. I think he needed to know he was led by someone stronger,” Samantha said, hoping it was that simple.
Faolan looked at Boomer and said, “Next time let challengers face the strength by your side, or me.”
Samantha looked up at Boomer and said, “This bug guy? Don’t worry, he’s always got my back.” When Boomer laughed, she continued, “Would you and Jeff get everyone ready to go, please? We’ve taken the tranquil out of this place.”
Jeff nodded and called out, “Boots walking in five.” Then Boomer went to retrieve their packs.
Faolan asked quietly, “Do you expect more trouble from the man?”
Samantha looked up as she put her jacket back on and said, “I don’t think so, but we’ll keep an eye on him just the same.”
Faolan asked, “What did you mean you plan on going back?”
Samantha was surprised to see hurt on his face as he asked the question. “I don’t know if we can get back, but I need to try.” She tried to think of a simple and understandable way to answer the question. “My people are losing a war that I may be able to prevent. There is an object that I need to keep from being found, an object of great power. Does that make any sense to you?”
“I have heard many tales and legends of mythical objects. If you seek one you ken is real, then I understand,” Faolan answered. He then asked, “I saw you arrive. Where are you from?”
The smiling, flirting man was gone. In his place stood the leader of a tribe and a man who demanded truth. He also deserved it if he was going to shelter them. Samantha said, “We are from a land beyond the sea to the west and almost one thousand years from now.”
Faolan pondered the response even as the color drained slightly from his face. He asked with narrowed eyes, “How is that possible?”
“I made it possible,” she said.
The smile returned as he said, “You are strong, beautiful, and wise. Such a fine combination.”
Though she blushed at the compliment, Samantha asked, “Do you believe me?”
“I have heard enough whispers among your men and listened when you thought I was absent. There is belief if only because you dinna try to pretend otherwise with me. Besides it makes other tales seem possible,” Faolan said almost absently.
His reply echoed briefly in her head, other tales , even as her hand began to open and close again. Samantha shook her head to bring her back to the moment and asked, “What other tales?”
Faolan smiled. “When we reach my home, I will fill your nights with such tales. For now, thank you for your honesty, Samantha.”
Boomer closed in with her pack in hand. “You ready?”
Samantha strapped on the weight. “I need time to work tonight. There is something very big that I’m missing.”
Jeff was the one who answered, “Are you talking about connecting with that thing while we sit out in the open?”
“It’s important,” Samantha replied. “I just need two hours, max.”
Jeff looked at Boomer. “Is it safe for her to do
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