Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 2)

Arran looked to his brother. “It’s time to see this done.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to confront Brynjar,” Purity said, fraught with worry as to what that might mean and thinking of anything she could say to keep him there with her. “This could be a trap to get you away from the keep and village, leaving those here vulnerable.”

“That is a possibility,” Arran admitted. “But I think Brynjar is looking to force me to face him and bring this to an end. I also have a responsibility to Abbott Thomas. If Brynjar holds him prisoner, then I must rescue him. I cannot let him suffer at a madman’s hands. Or if he succumbed to his wound then I must find his body and return it to the monastery for proper burial. My clan would expect no less of me. And what I expect from my wife is that she will remain safely tucked in the keep while I’m gone.”

“And how safe will I be with you not here?” she asked, her hands going to rest on her hips and her eyes not hiding her annoyance and worry.

Arran snagged his wife around the waist and eased her against him. “You’ll be safe because you’ll listen to your husband and remain in the keep and not cause him needless worry.”

“And what of the worry he causes his wife?” she argued.

He brushed his lips across hers, afraid if he tasted them fully he wouldn’t stop. “It is several hours before nightfall. I will see this done and return before darkness settles over the land, at which time I plan for us to be naked in bed.”

“I like that plan,” she said with a wicked smile and brushed a lingering kiss over his lips, the type that promised of even more delicious things to come.

“I don’t like the thought of leaving you, not even for a short time. But this responsibility falls on me now that I’m chieftain and what I do in this situation will either gain me respect or disdain from the clan.” He wished there was another way. He hated that he had to leave her. He was the one who would make certain nothing happened to her. He was the one who would protect her with his life.

Purity knew he was right. This was something he had to do, something that was inevitable, otherwise he wouldn’t leave her. She would prefer he stayed with her, but that would be selfish on her part. Also, there was the Abbott to consider. He could be waiting and praying for help to arrive. Even if it took her husband into the night, what worry would she have? She had lived in the woods alone and survived, she would be fine here surrounded by her clan, several of Wolf’s warriors, and safely tucked in the keep.

“You’ll return unharmed to me, husband,” she ordered and kissed his cheek.

“You have my word on it, wife,” he said and kissed her. He had to kiss her. He didn’t doubt he’d return to her, but if fate had different plans—which he would not take kindly to at all—he wanted the taste of her on his lips.

“Quiver will remain here and you have Princess and King to see you kept safe,” he said, glad for all three but especially King. The cat could be brutal when it came to defending Purity.

“I’ll be waiting—impatiently—for you,” she said and kissed his cheek, then looked to Royden. “Please, both of you return unharmed.”

Royden nodded but gave no promise. How could he? It was in fate’s hands and that thought had Purity’s stomach roiling. Royden went off to see the warriors made ready and Arran went to get his horse, Hope, not allowing anyone to saddle her but him.

She waited at the bottom of the keep steps and when she saw her husband approach atop Hope, her breath caught. There was no mistaking he was a fierce warrior. He sat tall, his shoulders drawn back, his chest expanded, his chin at a stubborn tilt, and his dark eyes stern and determined. His sword was strapped to his back and other weapons were hooked at his side and some hung from his saddle. He was prepared for battle.

This was the man who she had come to know in the woods, the vicious warrior, and he had returned to see her and the clan kept safe. She didn’t expect him to dismount and kiss her one more time. He was ready to take his leave and see this done. She went to him and placed her hand on his calf, giving it a squeeze. “Stay safe, husband.”

“In the keep and stay there,” he ordered. His glance went to Princess. “Keep her safe.” He looked around. “Where’s King?”

“He took himself off somewhere,” she said and drifted up to press her face gently against Hope’s face. “Please bring him home safely to me, Hope.”