Isabelle shook her head slowly, pity softening her gaze. “Nay, Rosaline,” she murmured. “He chose me because he saw somethin’ in me that ye never showed him—kindness.”
Rosaline gave a strangled cry, clutching at her tangled hair as if to tear it out.
“Kindness? Bah! What good has kindness ever done me? Everyone’s useless, useless!” she screamed, the sound raw and desperate.
Isabelle stepped back instinctively, sensing the danger in her movements.
Declan tightened his grip on Isabelle’s arm protectively, but Rosaline was already moving.
With a cry of rage, she lunged forward, her hands outstretched, her eyes wild with madness as she drew a dirk from her belt.
“If I cannae have him, then neither will ye!” she shrieked, charging through the snow.
Isabelle barely had time to react before Declan stepped in front of her.
“Enough!” he roared, his voice echoing through the frozen air.
Rosaline didn’t stop; she threw herself at them both.
Declan’s jaw clenched, his eyes filled with cold fury. In one swift motion, he raised his sword hilt and brought it down across the side of Rosaline’s head.
The sound was sickeningly dull, and Rosaline crumpled into the snow like a broken doll.
Isabelle gasped, clutching at Declan’s sleeve as the woman lay still at their feet.
“Ye did what ye had tae,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Declan’s chest heaved, his breath ragged with fury and relief.
“She would’ve killed ye,” he said darkly, staring down at Rosaline’s limp body. He leaned down to check if the lass was breathing. “She isnae dead, just unconscious.”
“I should’ve known she’d stoop to this.” Isabelle looked from him to the fallen woman, her heart aching despite the danger. “She’s lost her way entirely,” she murmured, pity lacing her words.
Declan turned toward her, his hand coming to rest on her cheek, his thumb brushing away the remnants of her tears.
“Aye,” he said quietly. “But ye, ye were brave, lass. Brave and strong.”
Isabelle gave a faint, shaky laugh. “I couldnae let her think she could win,” she whispered, her gaze soft.
Declan’s lips curved into the faintest shadow of a smile, the storm between them finally breaking.
“Come, love,” he said, wrapping his cloak around her shoulders. “Let’s get ye home.”
She buried her face in his chest, trembling as the last of her fear broke into tears.
Declan’s breath was unsteady as he held her closer, his voice rough with emotion.
“Och, Isabelle,” he whispered, his lips brushing her hair. “I’m sorry, lass. I’ve been a stubborn fool. I love ye with all me heart.”
She lifted her gaze to his, her eyes glistening. “Aye, ye have,” she said softly, a small, tearful smile tugging at her lips. “But I love ye nonetheless, Declan Cain.”
His jaw tightened as he looked at her, and she saw the torment behind his eyes. “I love ye more than I ken, Isabelle,” he said, his voice deep and raw. “More than I ever thought a man could love. I should’ve said it long ago.”
Her heart swelled at his words, and she reached up to touch his cheek.
“Ye saved me,” she murmured. “I thought I’d never see ye again when they took me.”
He swallowed hard, his hand sliding down her back as if to reassure himself she was truly there.
