Highland Burn by Victoria Zak

James and Conall took the dirt path deeper into the glen, while Rory and Magnus followed the trail to the loch. A flawless strategy was set in motion to draw out the hunt, surround the prey, and then go in for the kill.
    James sensed that Conall needed to get something off his chest. Both men side by side walked their fine steeds at a steady pace along the forest path keeping their eyes alert, searching the thick vegetation for clues of deer.
    “Abigale seems to be a fine lass,“ Conall said.
    James adjusted himself in his saddle. “Aye. Alice is verra fond of her.”
    “Ye know James, it might not be all that bad to have a wife… warming yer bed every night.” Conall dared a glance at James, arched a black brow, and grinned.
    ”Conall, you can stop right there… I know what ye are doing. I took a vow to protect King Robert’s daughter and that I intend to do, for he has been nothing less than a father to me. I owe him for helping me get my lands back. I didnae ask for her to be my wife, nor do I want her as my wife.” For Christ sake, was he ever going to escape the lass?
    Halting their horses, Conall tried to reason with James. “But, ye have a wife, a verra beautiful one.”
    James shot him a hard stern glare warning his friend to tread softly. “Did ye forget? We are Dragonkine, Conall! How do I explain this to her!” James pointed to his eyes as they turned to a swirling amber with reptilian slits.
    “Och—“
    “Nay, I’m sending her to Bothwell Castle and that’s final!” James kicked his horse forward, ending their conversation. The more Conall brought up Abigale the more aggravated he became. After he left his bedchamber last night he pondered ways to solve his problem, and sending Abigale to Bothwell was the best plan of attack. They could still go on as husband and wife, but would live separate lives. She would be close enough to protect, yet far away from him. ‘Twas a plan he was sure Abigale would be fond of, for she would be able to keep part of her dowry and he could keep his honor with the king.
    He was letting her go… sending her away. The realization hit his heart like the muscle was being squeezed by a steel plated gauntlet. He felt the coldness of the steel bite deeper into his lifeline. The restraint intensified leaving him aching. James rubbed the pain in his chest as he felt his dragon mourn their loss.
    “James, listen to me.”
    James shook off his thoughts. It was apparent he had to listen to Conall because his best friend wasn’t taking no for an answer. God’s teeth, Conall could be a persistent nag.
    “Think of it like this… like a battle. Ye go to battle to fight for what’s right. ‘Tis a long hard battle, ye dinnae like it, but ye know at the end there will be peace. A woman is no different. Ye fight for her love, ye dinnae like the feelings she brings out of ye at first, but my friend, if she’s the one , trust in me when I say to let go and ye’ll find there’s nothing like a woman’s love to soothe yer dragon side.”
    James mused for a moment. Had his friend gone daft? How could a ruthless, bloodthirsty dragon bring anyone peace? Nonetheless, how can ye bring peace when ye’re no at ease with yerself?
    “Conall, are ye daft? Did ye leave yer ballocks back home?”
    It looked as if a huge boulder crashed down on Conall. “Rest assured my Laird, my balls are just fine. I thank ye for yer concern.” Conall nodded his head and trotted his horse toward the sandy trail leading to the loch. There was no getting past that thick skull.
    James let out a heavy exhalation and continued through the glen, finally alone with his own thoughts. Hellfire, his blood burned in irritation. His best friend… talking about love and women… he had to have been bewitched. Conall Hamilton hadn't fallen under a lass’s spell… had he? “Nay.”
    The squawk of a flock of black birds fleeing from a thicket of blackthorns on top of a hill caught James’s attention. He watched