Her breath caught. Every nerve in her body tingled as she peered through the veil of fog.
Through the shadows and mist, Theo emerged against the setting sun. Even at a distance, he looked wild and half mad.But the grin and pride that radiated off him gave her all the confidence she needed.
He had indeed returned victorious.
She craned her neck to spy around his mighty frame.
As if her sister had heard her unspoken wish, Maisie leaned around Theo with wide eyes, just as anxious to see the keep as Lavina was to see them.
“Maisie.” Lavina choked on the name.
She bolted away from the stables, rushing toward them with arms wide open. Her skirts flapped about her ankles. She ran as if her heart had left her chest entirely.
“Theo!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Maisie!”
Theo pulled the reins, causing the horse to snort and stomp as it slowed down. Lavina’s gaze locked on him as she closed the distance between them, and though he still looked like a man made for war, the fierceness in his expression softened as he came to a stop beside her.
Theo helped Maisie down from the saddle and stepped back to give her access to Lavina’s waiting arms. Lavina’s heart soared the second her arms wound around her sister.
“I’m all right,” Maisie whimpered into her hair. “I’m all right.”
“Oh, let me have a look at ye,” Lavina said, not entirely sure she wanted to pull away.
She’d just gotten her sister back and was still not sure whether she was dreaming or not.
“She’s a brave lass,” Theo praised as he strolled over to her.
When he had dismounted his horse, she didn’t know. But she was grateful.
In a burst of passion and gratitude, Lavina released Maisie and threw herself at Theo.
“Calm yerself now,” Theo cooed, his hand cradling her head to his chest.
The thumping of his heart vibrated through her body. He had kept his word. He saved Maisie.
As she pulled away, Lavina realized he was a good, honest, decent man.
“The weather is about to turn,” he said, his voice husky but laced with warning.
“Marcus said that.”
“Ye saw Marcus, didnae ye?”
“Aye, and Stephen went out after ye nae too long ago. Did ye nae meet up with him?” Lavina asked, glancing at Maisie before looking beyond to the horizon.
“He’s returnin’ a horse; he’ll be back in a few days. Until then, I think it’ll be best we stay near the keep,” Theo advised.
Lavina took Maisie by the arm and pulled her close.
“Aye,” she agreed. “I’d say that would be best.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Theo’s boots echoed dully off the stone floor as he entered his chambers, his shoulders hunched with fatigue. The door creaked shut behind him, and he let out a slow, weary breath.
He had ridden hard, fought harder, and his limbs ached with the weight of responsibility that came with every decision he’d made that day.
But then he paused.
