A Templar's Gifts Read Online Free

A Templar's Gifts
Book: A Templar's Gifts Read Online Free
Author: Kat Black
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the chill within and without, I stared up into the black and endless sky, dotted by the pinpricks of light that spilled through from the heavens.
    I drifted toward the mast and sat, watching the subtle movements of Torquil’s hands and eyes. “I thank ye for helping me.” It was nearly painful to say the words. We had been at odds for so long and our animosity toward each other was still fresh in my memory.“Ye’ll be facing a goodly portion o’ chaff when ye return.”
    He ignored my words and fished a pouch from his sporran. “I saved my share of the haul this summer.” His voice was low, but even soft conversation seemed loud on the water. “I thought to hold on to it in case I was able to get to market to buy Bridie a ring.” My jaw dropped in shock. That he would give me money was nearly as surprising as the thought of him marrying. I looked for the lie. His eyes were far away. I could read nothing in their depths.
    â€œI want ye to have it, Tormod,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of ye off with naught but the clothes on yer back an’ that wee pack.”
    Another shock. “Ye’ve got plans for that coin,” I gasped. “I canno’ take it.” I felt like it was a trap. “Ye’ve worked an’ saved. Marriage?” I mumbled. “I can’t even fathom it.”
    He smiled in his
I’m older and know something you don’t
way. As usual it got under my skin, but I said nothing. “Go on an’ take it.” He tossed the pouch to the deck near my leg. “I’ve gotten on without a ring until now. I’ll raise it again. Bridie’d no’ care. She worried for ye long, ere ye went away.”
    Revelation on revelation. Bridie worried over my disappearance? The last I’d seen of her, she was mocking my hair and freckles. It was so small a thing now, Iwondered why it bothered me to begin with. “Why are ye helping me?” I said at last, nearly afraid to have mentioned it. In a small voice I said, “Ye hate me.”
    â€œHate ye! Lord, whatever would give ye that ridiculous notion?” He seemed truly offended. I didn’t know what to think.
    â€œCome on, man,” I exclaimed. “Ye’ve had no use for me for long an’ away. Ye’ve been torturous since that day on the beach. I didn’t plan on having that vision, nor did I expect you to tell Cormack I saw his da dead, Torquil. I was as shocked as ye were.” I turned my eyes from his, still hurt by the memory.
    The reference to it made him uncomfortable. “I just don’t understand ye, Tormod. Why d’ye make trouble for yerself? Why can ye no’ just do like the rest o’ us? Be like the rest o’ us?”
    I let my head fall back against the wooden pole, looking to the heavens for guidance. “Don’t ye think I wish that, Torquil? To be different than I am? Ye don’t know what it’s like to see things no one else does — to know things before they happen an’ have no way to prevent them. This is no’ something I chose or can control. The visions come to me. I don’t court them. I don’t even like them. But they are a part o’ me, as much as the color of my eyes or hair.”
    He was quiet, brooding no doubt about my not falling in with his idea of what I should be or do. “Whathappened that day, Tormod? Where did ye go, an’ why did ye wait so long to come back?”
    My stomach heaved. I had not spoken to him directly about any of the things that had befallen me and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Fear and distaste were rolling off of him. “It’s a long story,” I said, sighing.
    â€œAye. Well, we seem to have a bit o’ time. I’ve no’ offered it much, but I’ve an ear to listen, if ye’re of a mind to tell.” His gaze was on me and I was torn. Torquil stood tall and strong at the wheel, and I missed
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