Page 99 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

“Every decision I make draws him closer,” he said.

Her expression softened.

“I strengthen the castle, and he strikes the villages. I send guards tae the roads, and he takes ye from a crowded square. I pursue him, and he waits inside a lodge prepared tae use ye as bait.”

“Ye rescued me.”

Roy looked toward the cliffs. “I can defend a gate. I can hold a road, break an army or follow a trail through darkness. But I cannae keep ye safe from something I cannae see.”

Donaldina’s voice was quiet. “I did not ask ye tae keep me from every danger.”

“Nae. Ye merely continue meeting them.”

“Usually because men decide me freedom is inconvenient.”

Roy’s jaw tightened. She placed one hand upon the battlement between them.

“Cormac chose this long before ye returned.”

“He escalated it because of me.”

“He revealed himself because of ye.”

“That distinction willnae matter if he reaches ye again.”

Donaldina turned to face him fully. “Then perhaps ye should remember that I am nae standing idle while ye defend me.”

Roy looked down at her bandaged wrists.

Her gaze sharpened. “Dinnae.”

“Dinnae what?” he asked.

“Look at me wounds as though they prove I failed.”

The words struck cleanly. Roy had not believed she failed. He believed himself responsible for every mark upon her. Yet perhaps those convictions were closer than he wished to admit.

“I left ye a trail,” she continued. “I fought Cormac’s men. I learned where he hid and how many followed him. I stood before the council today and told ye where our walls are weakest.”

“I ken.”

“Dae ye?” Her voice softened. “Because ye speak as though ye alone stand between Dun Ard and ruin.”

Roy looked away. Donaldina’s fingers touched the back of his hand. The contact was light, but his body recognized it instantly.

“Ye arenae carrying this alone,” she reminded him.

He felt the truth of it and resisted anyway. Sharing command was simple when it came to grain, patrols, and market stalls. Sharing fear was another matter.

Roy turned his hand beneath hers until their palms met.

“I need tae leave the walls,” he admitted. “If I remain inside that hall another hour, I will begin moving patrols merely tae quiet me own thoughts.”

“Then we shall go.”

Roy frowned. “We?”

“Aye.”