Page 68 of Marin’s Promise

“Bran…” She caught his face between her hands and pressed a kiss to his mouth with equal passion.

He wanted nothing more at that moment than to sweep her into his arms and carry her to their bed chamber. But the bloody Grahams still needed to be tended to.

He broke off the kiss again, this time with greater regret. Manning a castle was apparently not all pleasantries, but a lot of responsibility. “We have to handle this first. And then…”

Marin's mouth was red from the force of their kisses and now curled into a knowing smile. “And then…”

Shouting came from the archway of the main door leading to the battlements from the castle, where Marin's three younger blonde sisters all emerged. They were clad in chainmail, their hair flying like wild gold banners behind them, their weapons drawn and ready.

“Archers,” Marin called out.

Bran smirked down at her. “I believe that's my job.”

“Mayhap you should have called it faster.” She gave him a coy look and pulled away from him.

His blood burned hotter in his veins. God's teeth, but he had a feisty wife.

“Ye heard yer lady,” he called out, still not taking his eyes from Marin. “Fire upon them and get these bastards from our walls.”

Cat took the lead in front of the archers, her young voice calling out with confident authority. The men obeyed her orders, taking their aim and releasing when she gave the call. A volley of arrows sailed over the side of the castle, and the men who had been immobile now darted in various directions to avoid the attack.

Vermin scattering, indeed.

Drake appeared beside Bran and regarded Marin as she met with her sisters several paces away. “Forgive me,” Drake said privately to Bran. “But I dinna like the young ladies being on the battlements.”

“I confess I dinna like it myself,” Bran answered, chagrined. “But nor do I think we can easily make them leave.”

Drake's mouth twitched in a failed attempt to suppress a smile. “Do I have yer permission then to see to their safety?”

Bran nodded and glanced over the wall as a third shower of arrows rained down on the reivers below. Few remained, most likely ones who were injured.

“Enough,” he called.

The archers lowered their bows and Cat surveyed the grounds below with a satisfied grin.

“Keep an eye on the wall,” Bran instructed Drake. “Double the guards. Make it look as though we have more men than we do in case they send another party like this one. And, aye, see to the lasses to ensure they are no’ injured.”

Drake gave a single nod, ever the ready soldier. Ever the obedient one. Aye, the lad was a good man to have at Bran's side.

“And once it appears the Grahams have cleared the area, have a second runner sent to Kerr and inform him of the Graham attack.” Bran scanned the empty horizon. “I dinna know how this will end, but I want it over with. And I want to know that Ena is safe.”

Drake nodded again. “I willna let ye down.”

And he wouldn’t, Bran had no doubt of that. What he did question, however, was how quickly Kerr would heed his call and come to take the bloody castle. Werrick Castle was defensible, but the Grahams were a determined lot, and soon Bran might need all the help he could muster.