Page 93 of Dark Seduction

Claire chased him, seizing his arm. “Don’t do this,” she cried. “You know how I feel—you eavesdrop on my thoughts all the time.”

He halted and she crashed into the wall of his chest. “Aye, an’ yer in guilt now.”

“No! I saw them—and wanted you.”

A terrible silence fell.

And Claire waited, because that was the truth. Aidan was handsome and he had his moments of charm, but he was not Malcolm and he never would be.

She saw the anger leave his eyes.

He said harshly, “I made ye a promise. Last night changes many things, but I always keep my word.”

Claire realized he was referring to his vow of fidelity. “I made you the same promise, Malcolm.” It was hard to breathe. “I am a woman of my word.”

Their gazes finally locked.

Claire saw him breathing hard, too. No more than an inch separated them. His masculinity became overpowering. Claire wished she could go into his arms for a warm, hard embrace.

He slowly shook his head. “’Tis nay a good idea.”

“What happens now?” she asked quietly. “We’ve made vows, but you won’t come to my bed. If I respect your need to sleep alone—”

“Nay. I will keep ye safe.”

He would still send her to Iona. They had just weathered another storm and she felt closer to him than ever. “You’re calmer.” Her whisper sounded urgent.

His gaze was unwavering. “Aye, I’m calmer. But ye willna be safe here. Yer nay safe from Moray. From me.” His gaze moved to her mouth then lifted to her eyes. “We’ll make our farewells in the morn.” He nodded and turned to go.

She rushed to stride alongside him. “Where are you going now? What are you doing?”

“The sun sets in two hours. I’m going to the tower now.”

She was incredulous. “You’re locking yourself up?”

“Aye.” He paused before the stairs leading to the front door of the castle. “Maybe in a few years,” he said thickly, “there’ll be a safe time an’ a safe place fer us.”

Claire cried out in protest. “A few hundred years?”

He gave her a long look and walked up those stairs.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ROYCE WAS WAITING for her in the great hall.

Claire’s stomach was in knots. She had tossed and turned all night, acutely aware of the fact that Malcolm was above her in the tower. But he hadn’t been summoning her. She had strained to listen for him but had heard nothing. She interpreted his silence to mean he was firmly in control of any lingering dark urges.

Royce strode over to her. “Break the fast. We willna stop until we reach Iona.”

Claire met his gaze and saw no hostility, just quiet determination. She couldn’t care less about breakfast. “Where is Malcolm? I have to say goodbye.”

Royce said, “Outside.”

She had been afraid they would not have a last word before parting. Claire hurried out. Malcolm’s fifty men were already mounted, their horses blowing impatiently in the brisk chill of dawn. Instantly she saw Malcolm astride his big gray. He glanced her way and their eyes met. Malcolm moved the charger toward her.

Claire rushed over to him. “You wouldn’t dare leave without telling me goodbye!”

He looked as tired as she felt, Claire realized, and that meant he’d had a rotten night, too. But she knew better than to believe he’d been tossing and turning over his undying affection for her. “I’ll go with ye an’ Royce as far as the sea loch,” he said.