“What are you proposing?” Callie moved closer to her brother.
“That he remain under royal custody until he is a score-and-five in age.”
Both Callie’s and Dermot’s faces blanched.
“Simon?” Sin called, knowing of only one way he would agree to Henry’s terms. He rubbed the circulation back into his hands as he walked slowly toward his wife.
What he really wanted to do was run, but even though the crowd was less tense than before, the men around him were still wary and ready to battle, and he didn’t want anyone to mistake his intentions. “Think you Draven would welcome a new squire into his home?”
A slow smile spread across Simon’s face. “Aye, he would.”
Sin nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to face Henry. “Is that agreeable to you, Sire?”
“Aye,” Henry’s eyes filled with relief. “I believe Lord Draven would be quite capable of whipping the boy into shape. And you, Lady Laird, do you find that acceptable?”
Callie smiled. “I do indeed, Majesty.”
“Draven?” Dermot asked. “Who is this man?”
Sin stopped in front of his wife and cupped her face in his hands as he stared into those lush green eyes. “He’s brother to Simon and a friend of mine.” He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs as he dropped his gaze to her lips.
Callie trembled at the look on Sin’s face. His eyes were filled with such love and gratitude to her.
She’d been terrified every moment of his capture that they wouldn’t get to him in time or that Henry would force them to battle.
Now that he stood before her, she felt as if she were the luckiest woman ever born.
She stood up on her tiptoes and leaned toward him.
He took her invitation. Crushing her to him, he kissed her hard and passionately.
A deafening cheer sounded from those gathered.
Callie surrendered her weight to her husband as joy burst through her. He was safe and they had their peace.
Sin savored the taste and feel of her lips. He didn’t care if time stopped at this moment. All that mattered was the love he felt for his wife.
And the fact that at long last, he had a home and a people who accepted him.
His brothers and Simon gathered round as he reluctantly pulled back from Callie’s lips.
Henry dismounted and moved toward them. His eyes amused, he measured Callie with his gaze. “You are a brazen woman, Lairdess. Think you, we were rash in marrying you to such a pig-headed man?”
“Nay, sire. For that I thank you.”
Henry turned to Dermot and shook his head. “The Raider, eh? We see potential in you, boy. Come and let us tell you a story about a man called Malek in Olum.”
Sin cringed as he watched Henry and Dermot walk off. So, it appeared his friend had found another generation to mold and shaoe. He would need to have a long talk with Henry.
But first he had a more important need to see to.
Ewan grabbed him from behind and picked him up in a ferocious hug. “Thank God you’re alive. I thought I’d have to be tearing me some English hides and skinning me one young Scot’s buck.”
For once Sin didn’t protest his brother’s bearish affection. “Aye, I saw the hand you gave poor Dermot. He’s lucky you didn’t break his leg.”
“Me?” Ewan gasped. “I’m innocent.”
Lochlan and Braden removed Ewan from him.
