Tristan’s eyes shot to the sound and Scarlet followed his gaze. Several men on horseback were making their way through the trees in the far distance.
Scarlet’s eyes widened in panic. It was the earl’s men, coming to collect thieves from the forest. She immediately pulled for her bow to defend herself, but Tristan took tighter hold of her wrist.
She shot her eyes to him in frustration.
“Wait, Scar,” he said.
Scar.
He called her Scar. Like he knew her. Like she was his to name.
Halting her movements, Scarlet waited.
Tristan glanced around the clearing then looked her up and down in worry. He hesitated, then pulled her behind a large tree. Setting her back up against the tree, Tristan began tucking her cloak in around her. Like it was a blanket and she was a cold child.
She opened her mouth to ask what he was so afraid of—after all, these were his father’s men. These were men that would have no business arresting Tristan. Right?
But Tristan set a gentle finger on her lower lip to keep her quiet. Scarlet looked up at his eyes for answers, but his only response was a look that said trust me.
And she did.
Keeping silent eyes on Tristan, Scarlet listened as the hooves grew louder and the trees around them began to sway with the commotion. Dust kicked up, small rocks flew and, from the corner of her eye, Scarlet saw a squirrel dart up a nearby tree trunk in fear.
How many men were there? Dozens?
As the group drew closer, Tristan moved his body closer to Scarlet’s as if shielding her. His finger still rested on her bottom lip as he looked around carefully.
Scarlet’s eyes traced up and down his profile, distracted by how truly handsome he was and how much she enjoyed the feel of his finger against her mouth.
Tristan’s large body, now nearly pressed up against hers, was warm and inviting, filling Scarlet’s head with deliciously inappropriate thoughts. Her eyes traced his square jaw, wondering what it would be like to run her finger along his dark stubble and down to his throat….
He dropped his finger from her mouth and leaned in even closer, his heat against her as he moved his head to the side to look around the tree.
Scarlet felt small in between the tree and Tristan’s body. Small and safe.
Tristan shifted, his chest brushing against hers. Pounding hooves came to a stop not far from where they hid and Scarlet’s palms began to sweat.
Why was Tristan nervous? His neck was only inches away from Scarlet’s face as he strained to see the earl’s men. Scarlet spied his beating pulse just below the skin of his neck, and it was running high.
They must be in danger.
A low voice croaked out from the group of men, “I’m sure I saw someone right here.”
“Very well,” another voice sighed. “Spread out, all of you! Search this area until we find the thief!”
Tristan pulled his head back to her and closed his eyes as he silently cursed. Opening his eyes, he looked at her sternly and brought his mouth up to her ear.
“Stay. Here,” he whispered.
His hot breath sent tingles down her spine. Good tingles. Tingles Scarlet wanted to bottle up and take home.
Scarlet’s lips parted to ask why, but Tristan was already gone, pushing away from her and walking out to the men behind her.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she heard Tristan say. “On a hunt, are we?”
Scarlet kept her back up against the tree and her cloak tucked around her. The only reason she wasn’t reaching for her weapon or running through the trees right now was because she trusted Tristan.
With her life.
Tristan stared up at Tennius, his father’s most trusted guard. Tennius was a burly man, with great strength and blind obedience, who hated Tristan with a passion.
“Lord Archer,” Tennius said. “What brings you out to these woods?”
“Hunting, of course,” Tristan motioned to the bow on his back and kept his hands steady. Scarlet was just yards away, covered only by a tree trunk. If the men were to move even ten feet in her direction, they would see her.
And they could not see her.
His heart started to pound.
Tennius looked at him skeptically. “You have no need to hunt, my lord. Especially not in these murderous woods.”
“I am aware of my surroundings.” Tristan lifted his chin. “But I hunt for my pleasure.” Tristan looked around and counted over a dozen men on horses. “What is you hunt today, Tennius? Surely not deer. I could give you a lesson in stealth if you wish to eat venison for dinner.”
Tennius was not amused. “The earl has discovered vagrants living on his land. They pay no rent and are thieves in his forest. He has ordered that these woods be thoroughly searched for such vagabonds and that the criminals be put to death.”
Tristan’s heart jumped into his throat and nearly choked him. If they looked for settlers in the forest long enough, Scarlet and Ana would surely be found. “I see my father is craving blood again.”
“Your father is a just man trying to keep order on his land—”
“Yes, yes.” Tristan mocked a smile. “We all know of your loyalty to my father. No need to announce your allegiance out here…among the birds and deaf stones. I’m sure they do not care.”
Tennius shifted on his horse. “We have work to do, my lord.” He turned to his men. “We move forward!”
“If you are in need of criminals,” Tristan said, desperate to send Tennius as far away from Scarlet as possible. “I would suggest you head to the south. I know of three thieving men who make their home there.” Tristan thought back to the men who attacked Scarlet.
Tennius raised a brow. “You’ve seen these men?”
Tristan nodded. “I occasionally have confrontations with those who wish to steal from me.” Tristan smirked, thinking of the first time he met Scarlet. “And believe me when I say, the thieves out here are not like anything I’ve seen before.”
He held his breath as Tennius eyed the wooded area around them.
“Very well.” He kicked his horse and started south. “This way, men!”
Tristan exhaled slowly as the men turned on their horses and disappeared into the trees.
A minute passed before he saw Scarlet creep out from her hiding spot. He looked at her for a moment, flooded in relief that she had not been found.
“Why did you hide me? Were those not your father’s men?” Scarlet walked up to him, confusion lining her face.