A Love to Discover (Loving in the Highlands 2)

'What are you talking about?' Calem barely keeps himself from shouting. He is so angry, that for a second, I get scared to continue.

'Well, yes, can you imagine?' I say timidly. 'He told Megan all that and said that the wedding would take place soon, so we decided to run away. Thankfully, Sloan was kind enough to let us stay. He and Megan fell in love with each other eventually, and got married.'

'I am so happy that you managed to escape that man,' he says, reaching towards me and giving me a small hug. 'And what is your uncle doing now? What did he do when he learned that you had run away?'

'I have no idea, to be honest,' I shake my head. 'We have not heard from him ever. I hope he is dead, though,' I add, chuckling. 'In that case, we could live there…'

'If he has not come searching for you or Megan, then maybe he has changed his mind, otherwise he would want to find you, to take the lands in any case,' Calem says, which I find rather logical.

'I hope so, but there is no way that I am going to check how he feels now,' I say. 'I prefer never to go to my father's house anymore, than to go and to see him.'

'I will never let you have problems anymore. I promise,' he says and puts me in his warm embrace. In my opinion, the best feeling in the world is to be protected by someone who loves you. I think I like him more than it has seemed to me in the beginning. I let him hug me, and I wrap my hands around him, to make him feel good, too.

'Elsie, I love you, my ray of sun,' he murmurs in my ear, making me melt.

'Oh, Calem, it is so pleasant to hear those words,' I whisper. 'I really like you.'

'I know.'

I smile. I know that he knows. And he knows that I am going to fall in love with him rather soon. And he is right.

Chapter 6

Elsie

We are so far from the castle Domnhall that it can't be seen even from the distance for hours. It is almost evening, but we keep going. The horses are fresh and eager to walk, so there is nothing to hinder our journey.

'When Laird Darah McDougald gives me the lands after we get married, I am going to plant corn and potato – the most important things to have every day,' Calem says in his deep voice.

'Plant? Oh, Calem, I do not see you as a landowner,' I say, chuckling. 'I can't imagine you planting things and taking care of them. I can't imagine your occupation being farmer.'

'And what do you imagine my occupation to be?' He asks, with a tiny smile on his lips.

'Well, a warrior, of course,' I say immediately. 'A strong, brave, and menacing-looking man should be a warrior.'

'Can't a landowner be a warrior, too?' He asks, jokingly. 'I can plant things in the day, and then go to fight at night.'

'No, you can't go anywhere at night,' I say, giggling.

'Oh, yes, I understand,' he replies and stays silent, while I continue giggling. I think I have blushed a little.

Skena and the warriors ride a bit behind us, so they can't hear what we are talking about, which is a relief, as I do not want them to hear. Our conversation can turn a bit embarrassing from time to time.

'It is a beautiful evening,' I say, glancing at the sky.

'Yesterday at this hour we were watching the night sky from the tower of the castle,' Calem adds.

I nod. I remember that time. I remember my feelings, how I wanted to create memories with him, so that I would have something to remember when he would be gone. I smile. Now we have something to remember together, as we are going together. Life can be very interesting sometimes. I love the pleasant surprises that life can give us from time to time.

'We can spend the night in the nature, if you do not mind,' he tells me. 'And if you do mind, we can find an inn or a guesthouse and stop by to spend the night there.'

'You know that I am a nature-lover, Calem,' I reply. 'Of course, I prefer spending the night in the nature. I love the grass and the calming sounds of the night insects.'

'I know. I also love the nature,' he says. 'I will tell the others to prepare to stop, as we are going to have some dinner and to sleep.'

While he goes back to inform the warriors and Skena, I wander by myself, imagining what it will be like to spend the night with Calem in the nature. It will be fascinating, I am sure of it.

When he returns, we dismount the horses and sit down in the dense grass. The sun has gone down on the horizon, but the full moon is shining so brightly, that the surroundings are brightly lit, and I can see everything.