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He wanted to slam his fists against the wall. He wanted to lunge towards his aunt, whirl her around and demand she tell him it was all lies. Instead, he remained rooted where he stood, his fists trembling with the rage and the fear swallowing him whole. He watched his aunt disappear down the hall, her words repeating themselves in his head.
“They’re going to be married, Aindreas.”
Aindreas whirled around, not knowing where his feet were taking him but knowing he needed to find Blair. He needed to speak with her, beg her forgiveness for that night, demand she refuse Daniel, and then…
And then what?
Aindreas shook his head. That didn’t matter. All he knew was she couldn’t marry Daniel, not when he felt this way about her. He turned the corner, stumbling into someone.
“Oh,” said the man, nearly toppling him over.
Aindreas grabbed him, recognizing the old man before him as Tavis. “Where’s Blair?” he asked, cringing at how loud and desperate he sounded. “Do ye know where she is? Have ye seen her?”
“Christ, lad,” said the old man with a slight chuckle. “Ye sound as if the world is ending.”
Aindreas ground his teeth. Of course, it was foolish to ask the old goat. Tavis was an amazing healer, yet his mind was far gone. He wouldn’t be any help. Before Aindreas could leave, Tavis grabbed his shoulder, giving it a gentle pat with a conspiratorial smile. “I believe I heard her tell young Daniel she will be in the forest collecting some herbs.”
Aindreas wrenched his shoulder from Tavis and ran down the hall. “Thank ye!” he shouted.
“Yer very welcome, my laird!” Tavis called back with a soft chuckle.
Aindreas ran down the steps, bursting through the doors and into the courtyard. He snapped his fingers at the master of the stables, following the man inside. Grabbing the reins, he quickly mounted his horse. In minutes he was racing through the courtyard and out the gate, towards the trees in the distance.
She was going to marry Daniel, he thought. She was going to be with his cousin. He felt as if he was being torn to pieces. He couldn’t stand the thought of them together, yet his mind was going mad with images of them standing at the altar, holding their first child, sharing a tender kiss.
All those precious moments should be with him, Aindreas thought desperately. He wanted to be with her. He needed to be with her. Aindreas urged his horse faster. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to see Blair’s face, her eyes, her lips. She was the very air he breathed, the sun in his life. No matter how much he needed to marry Sorcha, he needed Blair more, more than he ever thought possible.
His horse slowed as they approached the trees, and Aindreas jumped from his mount, not bothering to tie him to a nearby branch. “Blair!” he shouted, searching the trees before parting the bushes. “Blair!” he called again, wondering if he was too late.
A thought struck him like a lightning bolt in the heart as an image appeared in his mind of Blair and Daniel together, wrapped in each other’s arms. “Blair!” he roared, feeling desperation take hold of him as he stomped through the wood.
“What is it?” he heard Blair’s voice and smiled at the irritation laced with it.
“Where are ye?”
He chuckled as he heard Blair’s soft cursing, the snapping of twigs. His gaze turned as he heard something break behind him, finding Blair dusting off her dress. A basket hung in one arm, and she lifted her gaze, her eyes darkening into an irritated glare.
“Ye’ve about scared off every living creature, ye know,” she scolded while placing her hands on her hips.
Aindreas stalked towards her. Her eyes widened in surprise as he took her into his arms, holding her close. “I don’t care,” he whispered while lowering his mouth, claiming her lips.
She moaned against him, and he took his opportunity, sliding his tongue into her mouth, stroking her. Aindreas kissed her as if he would never breathe again. He held her as if the world would slip away if he did not. Her hands ran up the length of his arms, her fingers running through his hair. He leaned into the touch, unable to get enough of her soft skin, wishing it were caressing every part of his body.
“Aindreas,” Blair said between kisses, her hand resting on his chest and gently pushing him away. “What are ye doing? Yer-“
“I love ye, Blair,” Aindreas blurted out, his eyes widening at his own words. He hadn’t meant to say them. There were so many other things he wanted to say, yet they were the only words that came to mind, the only words that described the feeling swelling within him. “Please, don’t do this to me.” His knees dropped to the ground, and he buried his face into her belly, breathing in her earthy scent and unable to get enough. “Please, don’t marry Daniel. I love ye. I don’t think my heart can stand it if ye do.”
