His boots made no sound as he pursued her, his longer stride and knowledge of the terrain giving him the advantage. She was quick, he'd give her that, and surprisingly sure-footed in the darkness. But desperation could only carry her so far.
He caught her at the edge of a small clearing, his hand closing around her arm and spinning her to face him. The sudden motion brought her up hard against his chest, their faces inches apart. She froze, breath colliding with his, eyes wide and startled.
“Goin’ somewhere, lass?”
His voice was low, rougher than he meant it to be. She jerked against his grip, her pulse hammering beneath his fingers. “Let go of me!”
“Nae likely.” His hold eased but didn’t release. “What did ye think ye were daein’?”
“What daes it look like I was daein’?” she shot back, breathless, defiant. “I was leavin’. Goin’ home.”
“Home?” His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before snapping back to her eyes. “Ye call that place home after what they did tae ye?”
For a moment neither moved, the forest around them utterly still. The heat between them felt alive, something neither of them knew how to name or stop.
She tried to pull free of his grip, her voice rising with frustration. "This was never me choice! None of this was ever me choice! I was dragged tae that auction, sold tae a stranger, and now I'm being held against me will by a man who thinks he owns me!"
"And it wasnae me choice either!" His own frustration finally breaking through his careful control.
She laughed bitterly. "Oh, aye, it must have been so difficult for ye, havin’ tae choose between all those lovely options. Which lass should I buy today? Which life should I destroy fer me own convenience?"
Her sarcasm cut deeper than it should have. "Ye think this is convenient fer me? Ye think I wanted tae saddle meself with awife who despises me? Who looks at me like I'm some sort of monster?"
They stared at each other in the moonlight, both breathing hard, both frustrated by circumstances neither fully controlled.
"And what happens when ye walk back through those gates?” He continued, “Ye think yer faither will welcome ye with open arms?"
"Better his cruelty than yers!"
The words stung more than they should have. "Me cruelty? I've tended yer wounds, protected ye."
"Ye bought me!" Her voice rose to a near shout. "Ye purchased me like I was a horse at market and now ye're draggin’ me tae yer castle tae force me intae marriage! Dinnae pretend this is anythin’ but cruelty dressed up as civility!"
"And goin’ back tae Munro is somehow better?"
"At least with him I ken what tae expect!"
"Dae ye?" He stepped closer, noting how she instinctively backed away. "Ye ken what he'll dae now that his plans are ruined? Now that the alliance he wanted is broken?"
She was quiet for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her face.
"I'll take me chances," she said finally.
“Will ye? Even kennin’ he might sell ye again? Tae someone far worse?” "That's me risk tae take! I have tae go back," her voice smaller now. "Ye dinnae understand. I cannae just stay here."
"Ye cannae go back taenight," he said instead. "It's nae safe. The forest is full of dangers, and ye're nae equipped tae handle them alone."
"I'll manage."
"Will ye? With nay weapons, nay supplies, nay knowledge of which clans control which territories?" He shook his head. "Ye'd be dead or worse before dawn."
"That's me decision!"
Her passion was magnificent, even if her logic was flawed. Despite everything, he found himself impressed by her fierce loyalty.
Before he could respond, she spun away from him, chin lifted in stubborn defiance.
“Liliane,” he warned, his voice low, “I wouldnae walk that way if I were ye.”
