Page 108 of Highlander’s Captive

“Dinna worry, lad, yer time to be a strong warrior will come. Come on, go and congratulate yer uncle.”

Colin moved to hug Craig, and Marjorie lingered. “God, I do hope no one kens I’m the only Cambel left in the castle. But if anyone thinks a woman canna defend her home and her son, they’ll get a very unpleasant surprise.”

Amy nodded, impressed with Marjorie’s spirit and determination, though as her sister-in-law moved to hug Craig, there was a flash of fear and uncertainty in her eyes. She was probably showing more courage than she really felt.

The rest congratulated them, and everyone drank some more. Music and the hum of voices resumed, and Craig wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

She felt protected. She felt complete. She felt like herself.

“Do you want to get out of here for a moment?” she asked. “Looks like they don’t need us to have fun.”

“Aye, Amy, anytime ye want,” he said. “Do ye want to go to the stables?”

She laughed. “No. Come, let’s get some air on the wall. The view over the mountains must be beautiful today.”

“Aye, dear.”

They went through the western tower to the wall, where they could see the sun descending over the mountains. The Highlands were green and lush now, and River Lochy glistened red and orange from the reflection of the sun.

The view was breathtaking but not as gorgeous as the man standing next to Amy. His gaze more intense than ever, starting a fire in her veins, he glanced over her with heat that would melt an iceberg. He stood behind her and hugged her, laying his hands on her still flat belly, then kissing her neck.

“Are you not going to be sad to leave this place?” Amy asked.

“The view from yer window isna going to be much worse, lass. Aye, ’tis nae a castle but ’tis a home.”

“I’d be happy with you even if we lived in a cave.”

He laughed. “I’d make even a cave a castle for ye. Ye ken ye’re never going to need for anything.”

“I know. I also know that I’ve never felt happier in my life, or more complete.”

“Even though ye were born hundreds of years from now? Dinna ye miss yer time?”

“I’ve never cared too much about conveniences. And I’ve never felt I belonged anywhere as much as I do here, with you. It could be a thousand years in the past, or a thousand years in the future. You’re my home.”

“And ye’re mine,” he said.

He kissed her then. And she sank into the warmth of her man’s mouth and hands.

With him, she would never feel like a prisoner, lost and abandoned.

But her heart was his captive.

And there was no sweeter prison.

THE END