Page 31 of The Chief

And Lord help her, she would let him.

“Aye, ’tis so.” She cleared her throat. “I never did congratulate you. Chief.”

“And that is all you wished to say?”

Nay, of course not. But most of her words would need to remain unsaid.

“And to wish you well tomorrow.”

“There will be no tomorrow. I’ve just been informed by Darron that Clan McKinnon stood down. Once they realized our allies, along with the reivers, gathered forces again them. . .”

She was elated, of course. But there was still the matter of Rory. In her chamber.

Cristane hated silence more than anything, especially silence that felt so heavy. So charged with repressed feelings and desire.

“And you came here because . . .”

“Because I have a question for you, Cristane. And I would have your honest answer.”

She did not hesitate. “I’ve never once lied to you, Rory. I do not plan to start doing so now.”

The statement seemed to please him, but it was nothing but the truth.

“What do you wish for, more than anything in the world?”

Still, he did not move. He stared at her intently, waiting for her answer. Closed off until she gave it.

“What do I wish for?” she repeated, her mind whirring. Why had he come? What did he want?

“Aye. You are a woman, have always been a woman, who tosses expectations aside. ’Tis something I’ve always admired. And so I ask, if you could have one thing in this world, what would it be? What do you wish for above all things?”

What do I wish for?

Food. Warm clothing. A family. Cait.

That was it, though of course, it wasn’t. The one thing she wished for most was something she could never have. She’d be a fool to admit it, especially now.

“You promised me honesty, Cristane.”

Honesty? It would not be easy to give it to him. But she had promised, and after she left this place, she would hardly ever see him again. Part of her needed to tell him.

“To be your wife.”

He did not react to her outrageous statement at first.

“And my sister?” he asked finally.

“I adore Cait. And would miss her most dearly. But you asked for the truth, and so I gave it to you.”

She hardly had time to react. Rory reached her in a few long strides, pulling her to him, and proceeded to kiss her so thoroughly she almost forgot the obstacles between them. Swept away in a tangle of sensation, Cristane stopped thinking. Planning. Admonishing herself.

She let her love for him take over instead.

When she felt the cool air on her shoulders, Cristane realized her robe was gone.

Rory cupped her face. “Marry me,” he said. “I am so sorry for asking you to become anything other than my wife. I was a coward, unwilling to be exactly as I am. To take exactly what I want. And I want you, so much I can already feel myself inside you. You claim to know me well, and you do. Then know that I love you, so very much. Please forgive me.”

She heard the words, looked into his eyes.