“Aye,” Braden said without hesitation. He glanced at her and for the first time she saw the love in his eyes. “I will die for her.”
“Then die!” Robby shoved Braden back, then struck him with his sword.
Braden skillfully met him stroke for stroke.
Maggie couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe as she watched the two of them. Worse, was the fact it was obvious Braden held more skill. The MacDouglas fought bravely, but there was no doubt who would emerge the victor.
The MacDouglas arced his sword for Braden’s chest. Braden jumped back.
His reach overextended, the MacDouglas stumbled forward.
Braden bought his sword down toward the man’s back.
“Hold!”
Maggie’s eyes widened as she recognized Sin’s voice.
But she didn’t dare take her eyes off Braden as she watched his blow in muted horror.
Somehow, Braden stopped his blade an inch from Robby’s spine and brought it up and away from his opponent just in time to save Robby’s back from the death blow.
Maggie released her breath in a rush as Braden turned away from her.
It was only then that she looked to where Sin was walking toward them, cradling his left arm with his right hand with Ceana by his side. The two of them were covered in soot, their clothes torn and faces red, but they were mercifully alive.
The MacDouglas pushed himself up from the ground with a happy shout as he rushed to his wife, calling her name.
Still shaking, Maggie smiled as the two of them embraced. It was a beautiful sight. The MacDouglas scooped his wife up in his arms and kissed her fiercely.
Maggie shifted her gaze back to Braden. To her amazement, he didn’t run to Sin’s side.
He came to hers.
His eyes filled with concern, Braden held his hand out to her and helped her up from the ground. Then to her utter disbelief, he wrapped his arms around her so tightly that she feared he would break her ribs.
“Thank God.” He repeated that over and over in her ear as he just held her close to him.
It was then she understood the truth. Braden loved her. He truly loved her. Even though he hadn’t said it, she could feel it in the tightness of his hold, hear it in the relief of his voice as he whispered her name.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she wrapped her arms about his waist. This was so much more than she had ever hoped for. In all her foolish dreams, she had wanted this. And now...
She felt like shouting, or flying, or singing, or doing something miraculous to celebrate the joy she felt.
Braden let go of her and cupped her face in his hands, then he kissed her fiercely.
Maggie felt her tears flow down her cheeks.
“Fetch a healer!”
The cry of alarm broke them apart, and it was only then Braden looked to where Sin had been standing.
His brother had fallen.
Ceana held Sin’s head in her lap as she called for help. The MacDouglas was kneeling by his side.
Braden ran to Sin, with Maggie one step behind.
Her heart pounding, terror filled her again as she looked down at Sin. He lay on his right side with his left arm bleeding and burned.
