Page 127 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

Mairi continued toward the chamber, leaving Donaldina alone in the passage. Roy approached, and the sounds from the hall faded behind him. Candlelight shifted over the scar at his jaw and caught upon the silver fastening at his wrist.

“All posts are doubled,” he said when he reached her. “Malcolm holds the eastern wall. Hamish has the northern gate, provided he recovers from the singing.”

“The side passage?”

“Barred from within and watched from the yard.”

Donaldina inclined her head. “The banners are prepared. Both clans will enter together rather than from opposite doors. Father Maol has the ceremonial cord.”

“Any further difficulties?”

“Three elders objected tae their seating.”

“A serious threat.”

“I defeated them.”

“I expected nae less.”

Silence returned. Tomorrow remained between them, enormous despite how quietly it approached.

Donaldina looked at Roy’s face. He appeared composed, as he always did when danger or responsibility demanded it. Yet, she saw the tension beneath the calm, the slight stiffness of his shoulders, the way his fingers tightened once around the report.

“Are ye uncertain?” she asked.

“About the guards?” he answered with a question.

“About tomorrow.”

His gaze settled upon hers. “Nae.”

The answer came without hesitation.

“Neither am I,” she quickly answered.

Roy lifted one hand, brushing his knuckles lightly across her cheek. The touch was almost careful enough to hurt. Donaldina caught his wrist. He became still.

They had kissed before. They had touched one another with growing confidence, discovering how rapidly restraint could become hunger when they ceased pretending distance remained between them.

But tonight felt different. There was no council waiting beyond the moment, no argument to conceal what they wanted, no uncertainty about whether either would remain when morning came.

Donaldina stepped nearer. Roy’s breath altered.

“Ye should return tae yer chamber,” he murmured.

“I am aware.”

“Yer attendants are waiting.”

“They have waited for less important reasons.”

His thumb moved against her palm. “Donaldina.”

She knew the warning within her name. She also knew how little conviction it contained.

Tomorrow she would stand before the clans and choose him publicly.

Tonight, she wanted him without witnesses, without ritual and without a King’s agreement explaining why they belonged together.