“Och, lassie,” Kennan growled under his breath. In two strides, he wrapped her in his arms. “Do not listen to those flea-bitten maggots. They have no idea what they’re on about.”

Scarcely able to breathe, she grasped his waist and clung as if her next breath depended on his protection. It had been too long since another person had touched her with care, had talked to her, had been a friend to her, and now there was a very real threat of losing him. “But they want to arrest ye and—and then those animals will come after me.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. His mouth was warm and soft and ever so comforting. “Nay, nay,” he cooed. “I’ll never allow it.”

“What if they take ye away?” She buried her face in his chest, wishing his powerful arms would surround her for the rest of her days. How could she ever trust anyone but Kennan? “I-I’m so frightened.”

“Don’t be. I’ll not allow anything to happen to you.”

He smoothed a big, solid hand down her hair. Had he any idea of the comfort he imparted with his touch? Divana clung to him tighter. “How do ye ken?”

Drawing a hand to her cheek, his gentle fingers soothed her as he coaxed her to raise her chin and look at his face. As he focused on only her, his green eyes filled with compassion while the corners of his mouth turned up. “Ye ken you’re not helpless, lass.”

Trying not to cry, she drew in a stuttered breath. “Against dragoons?”

“Aye.” He blessed her with a confident grin. “Did you put your slingshot in your basket?”

“I did. A stone as well.”

“Then you’re not helpless. You’ve seen what a wee rock does to a duck?”

She nodded, the sound of his voice giving her strength.

“Imagine what it would do to a man’s head.”

She remembered back to her childhood—a Sunday sermon at the old kirk. “Like David and Goliath?”

“Now you’re thinking.” He brushed her cheek with his finger. “Never forget you have a skill few men can match.”

When footsteps sounded on the stairs, Kennan lowered his hands and turned his ear toward the door. Divana glanced from wall to wall. Their chamber was empty aside from the straw strewn across the floor and a bucket in the corner. She shuddered to think what it was used for.

Kennan rattled the latch, giving it a good jerk.

“Leave the door alone, you swine,” bellowed a guard from beyond.

“We’re hungry. Haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“You’ll be fed after the rest of us.” The man chuckled. “If there’s anything left.”

Backing up, Kennan cupped a hand to the side of his mouth and whispered, “We’ll need to be careful what we say.” Then he returned to the window and placed both his palms on the pane. It creaked a bit.

Divana slipped beside him. “What are ye doing?”

“’Tis loose,” he whispered.

She glanced down to the cobblestones. “Jump all that way?” she asked, so quietly, she barely heard herself.