Astra quietly watched Lelani depart the meadow. A wide smile broke on her small brown face as she rushed away to gather sweet herbs located deep in Holien's forest. Lelani had forbidden nymphs from gathering healing herbs in Lachlan's kingdom. Her goddess would not change her mind. Astra rushed deeply into the meadow as cool dew dampened her feet.
Lachlan and his men slowly galloped through Holien's woods. Rumors of scouts from Persis reached his ears; he could no longer ignore his outer lands. His dark eyes scanned a shadowy perimeter. A familiar sweet melody assaulted his ears. Dismounting from his stallion, he signaled his men to remain at their positions. His heavy feet broke twigs and crushed flowers as he broke through a dense brush to see if it was her.
His dark eyes spied curly brown locks blowing in a slight breeze. Her small body wrapped in red silky dress; a color that annoyed Lachlan because it was Lelani's color. Lelani's desire for revenge caused the death of his brother and stole her away from him. Her soft voice bounced around a small green meadow. He crept upon her like a wolf. He could feel her hair wrapped around his hands. So lost in her chore, his little doe didn't hear his approach.
"What are you searching for?"
Herbs dropped from Astra's grasp. She bit her lip to stop a gasp that formed in her lungs. She knew that deep masculine voice. She remembered how her skin tightened as it vibrated in her ears. How his large hands grabbed her and whispered dark seductive words in her ears. Astra shook her dark head, hoping that he would leave but wishing that his hands would graze her flesh again.
"You don't know, lovely?" Lachlan had given his heart to the sneaky wench. Timidly, Astra swallowed a lump in her throat. "Herbs," she muttered.
"Herbs, of course. Are you a midwife?"
"No."
"Fresh soft herbs to use in a bath to perfume your skin?"
"Medicine."
"To treat my injured warriors hurt by Lelani?"
"'Of course."
Lachlan loved her jerky movements and nervous voice. "Can I see your eyes?"
"No, milord. I must work to aid your knights."
"Do you have big wide eyes? Or small little ones like a robin?"
"Why?"