How couldhe explain that he’d burn down half of Scotland before letting anyone threaten her again? That he was already planning changes to the castle’s security that would make it impregnable?
“Because I’ll makesure of it,” he said simply.
She studiedhis face for a long moment. “That’s nae an answer; that’s an intention. And intentions arenae always enough, are they?”
The wisdomin her words struck him like a physical blow. She was right—his intentions hadn’t been enough to prevent today’s nightmare.
“Then what are ye suggestin’?”
“Teach me.”Her hand found his, squeezing tight. “Teach me how to fight, how to defend meself. Dinnae make me depend entirely on other people’s protection.”
The request shouldn’t have surprisedhim, but it did. The Gabriella he’d first rescued would never have asked for such a thing. This woman—strong, determined, practical—was someone entirely new.
“Ye really want that?”
“I never wantto feel so helpless again.” Her voice carried an edge of steel he’d never heard before. “And I never want ye to worry that I cannae take care of meself in a crisis.”
Pride swelled in his chest,fierce and protective. “Then I’ll teach ye everything I ken.”
She smiledfor the first time since they’d left the clearing. “Good.”
They resumed walking,and Hector found himself studying her profile.
The womanbeside him had survived a kidnapping attempt, fought back against her captor, and was already planning how to be stronger in the future.
The terror was still there—hecould see it in the way she started at sudden sounds—but so was an unbreakable determination.
“Gabriella?”
“Aye?”
“I’m proud of ye.”
She glanced up at him,surprise flickering in her eyes. “For what?”
“For fightin’back. For survivin’. For being brave enough to ask for what ye need.”
Heat rose in her cheeks,but she didn’t look away. “I had a good teacher.”
“What do ye mean?”
“Ye showedme I was worth fighting for,” she said quietly, the truth of it settling deep into her bones. “After that, learning to fight for meself was just the next step.”
The castle gatescame into view ahead of them, torches already lit against the gathering dusk.
Home.Safety. A future they’d almost lost today.
The healer’squarters were warm with candlelight and the scent of herbs. Gabriella’s steps quickened as they approached the narrow bed where Andrea lay propped against several pillows, a white bandage wrapped around her head.
“Maither.”
She heardthe relief in Hector’s voice as Andrea’s eyes opened, focusing immediately on them.
“Oh, thank the saints.”Andrea struggled to sit up straighter, her face lighting up with joy, before crumpling with concern. “Gabriella, child, are ye hurt? Did that monster?—”
“I’m fine, Me Lady.”Gabriella moved to the bedside, taking Andrea’s outstretched hands and feeling the older woman’s genuine concern wrap around her like a warm cloak. “But what about ye? How’s yer head?”
“Bah.”Andrea waved her hand dismissively, though Gabriella noticed she winced at the movement. “Takes more than a coward with a tree branch to keep me down. But ye, lass—ye look pale as winter snow.”
