Page 92 of Enchantment of a Highlander

He grasped the man’s forearm and pulled his elder to a standing position. Niall’s jaw tensed, but he did not speak. The man was a lifelong soldier. Deep down, he had to know Alec did what any good leader would.

Alec nodded sharply and released the man’s arm.

Niall’s men gathered around him, as Alec had assumed they would, and together the band of lost men walked slowly through the parting crowd.

The weight of Alec’s actions pressed on his shoulders and made his chest ache.

A hand settled on his forearm.

He jerked his head to the left, ready to snarl at the person who dared interrupt him. Celia’s wide blue eyes stared up at him and his curt response melted away.

Ah, sweet Celia.

The salve to make everything better.

“I need to speak with you,” she said in a low voice. Her tongue flicked over her lips and left them glistening. “Alone.”

His cock leapt to attention. She hadn’t sought him out during the day before.

They’d both been too busy.

But she was here now, wanting him, and all of Scotland could hold still while his woman saw his day improved.

• • •

The walk to Alec’s bedroom, to the room he’d shared with Celia since her arrival over two weeks ago, seemed to take years. Each step there strengthened her resolve.

She was being hunted.

Step.

The village was being attacked because someone suspected she was within the castle walls.

Step.

Leaving would expose her to the witch hunt.

Step.

Staying risked the lives of everyone she loved.

And then they were in the room.

She kept her eyes turned from the massive bed and the memory of too many intimate moments, but she could not keep from breathing in their mated scents nor ignore the way it clawed at her heart.

This must be done.

“Alec…” She turned to face him, but did not have a chance to speak before his arms came around her and his mouth captured hers.

She reeled back and turned her face from him. He pressed hot kisses in a trail down her neck.

This time she pushed gently at his shoulders. “Please stop.”

His eyes met hers beneath brows furrowed in confusion. He unwound his arms from her body and stepped back. His gaze went hard. “Did someone hurt ye?”

“I’ve made my decision,” she said in a voice sounding nothing like hers. “I’ve thought several days, as you asked me to.”

His jaw clenched and the rest of his body tightened, as if he were bracing himself for a blow.