Page 109 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“Nay,” Eileen whispered. “I just needed to see ye one more time.”
Dinnae do this to me. Please dinnae test me like this.
“Nae for anythin’ other than to see ye,” she clarified. “I couldnae sleep. Will ye just hold me one more time? If I disturbed ye, ye can tell me to?—”
“Nay,” Archer cut her off. “Come here.”
He pulled the blankets to the side and patted the empty space.
Eileen was wearing the same clothes she’d worn when they had first met, minus the long cloak—a pair of simple breeches and a tunic. It stirred something nostalgic within him.
She climbed into the bed, bringing warmth with her. He held out his arm to embrace her, and she took up her usual position on his chest, laying her cheek and hand there. He placed his hand on her shoulder, holding her tight.
They used to lie together naked, but having those layers between them felt more intimate.
Archer breathed in her familiar sweetness. He looked at her strawberry blonde hair, a little paler in the moonlight, but no less vibrant. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, lingering there for a while before lying back on the pillow and turning his head slightly to the side.
They lay in silence, but unspoken words hung between them. They had a shared history more layered and entangled than most, and as they lay together, they became possibilities of what the future could hold. If they remained silent, those possibilities would never die out like a candle at the end of its wick.
Archer didn’t sleep that night, and neither did Eileen, judging from her short breaths.
When the sun started to rise above the horizon, Eileen shifted on the bed and looked up at him.
He understood the look in her eyes. It was nice to lie together, even if that was all they did. He wished it could go on for longer, but sometimes, things just had to come to an end.
Eileen moved again until she was propped up on her elbow, staring down into his face.
Archer noticed the shift in her. She went from being content to dissatisfied, and he knew exactly what she was about to say. She had feelings for him, and she had to tell him before she left. Perhaps she hoped her feelings would convince him to let her stay.
However, his mind was made up. He had to send her away for her own good, and he wouldn’t cave to any pressure. It was better for some things to remain unspoken. If she confessed her feelings and he still sent her away, it would only feel like a bigger betrayal, and there would only be more sadness.
Ye’ll find someone someday, and ye’ll forget all about me.
Eileen opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, he placed a hand on the back of her head, pulled her to him, and kissed her. She kissed him back, perhaps understanding that this was the better way to end things. She brought a hand up to his cheek, holding it there as they kissed.
No tongues this time, no immense passion. Just connection and some sadness.
Archer didn’t want the kiss to end. He didn’t want to see the sadness in her eyes when they broke apart, knowing he had caused it. He knew there was nothing he could say to make her feel any better about it.
But they had to break apart eventually. So they did, and looked into each other’s eyes. Archer saw his sadness mirrored in her eyes, and he almost caved. He’d chased down enemies and slain them to get her back, cut men’s throats without the slightest hesitation, but he was most weak and afraid with her.
He placed his hand on her cheek, stroking it with his thumb.
“This is for the best,” he murmured. “I will never forget what ye’ve done for me and the clan.”
“I will never forget me time here,” Eileen told him. “I will never forget ye.”
“We should get up, even though I havenae slept a wink.”
“I’m used to nae sleepin’ when in bed with ye,” Eileen said with a sad smile. “But nae like this.”
Archer’s lips twitched. “Nay.”
Eileen got out of bed first, walking slowly to the door. She opened it, then looked back at him.
“Goodbye, Archer,” she said.
“Goodbye, lass,” Archer replied.
