"Ye're goin'to be punished for leavin'," he said, but his voice held no real heat. "For runnin' away without givin' me a chance to explain about Laura. For makin' me think I'd lost ye."
"What kind of punishment?"Maia's voice was breathless, and there was something in her eyes that made his blood heat.
"The kindthat will make sure ye never want to leave again." Ewan bent and swept her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "The kind that will have ye screamin' me name for entirely different reasons."
Maia's cheeks flushed pink,but she didn't protest. Just wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder.
"Um."Mollie's voice cut through the moment, tentative and awkward. "What about me?"
Ewan had honestly forgottenthe maid was there. He glanced over to where she stood, looking uncomfortable and more than a little afraid.
"Ye can findyer own way back to the castle," he said. "It's nae that far if ye follow the trail. Just keep the North Star on yer left and?—"
"I'm nae leavin'her behind!" Maia protested, trying to squirm out of his arms. "Mollie, I'm sorry, he doesnae mean all that."
"Oh, I mean it,"Ewan interrupted. "Because what's goin' to happen between us once we're alone, ye daenae want yer friend to witness it, lass. Trust me on that."
Maia's blushdeepened until her whole face was red. "Ewan!"
"It's fine,"Mollie said quickly, though her own cheeks were pink. "Really. I can find me way back. And I think—" She glanced between them, a small smile playing at her lips despite the carnage surrounding them. "I think ye two have some things to discuss. Privately."
"Mollie."
"Go, Maia."Mollie's voice was gentle. "Be happy. God kens ye deserve it after everythin'. I'll be fine."
Ewan didn't waitfor Maia to protest further. He turned and carried her toward his horse, his strides long and purposeful.
"What about the bodies?"Maia asked weakly. "We cannae just leave them there."
"I'll sendmen back to deal with them." Ewan settled her on his horse before swinging up behind her. His arms came around her waist, holding her secure against his chest. "Right now, the only thing I care about is gettin' ye somewhere private where I can show ye exactly how much I love ye."
"Ewan, stop it,"she protested half-heartedly.
"And then,"he continued, his voice dropping to a rough whisper in her ear, "I'm goin' to make ye promise, swear on everythin' ye hold dear, that ye'll never run from me again. That ye'll talk to me when somethin' bothers ye instead of assumin' the worst and fleein' into the forest."
"I promise,"Maia whispered. "I swear I'll never run again."
"Good."Ewan pressed a kiss to her temple, gentler than he felt. "Because if ye do, lass, I'll chase ye to the ends of the earth.There's nowhere ye could go that I wouldnae find ye. Ye're mine now. For always."
"For always,"Maia echoed, and there was joy in her voice despite everything. "I like the sound of that."
Ewan urged the horse forward,carrying them away from death and toward life. Toward a future he'd never let himself dream of until now.
Toward home.
Behind them,Mollie stood watching until they disappeared into the trees, a smile on her face despite the horror of what she'd witnessed.
And somewhere in the darkness,an injured MacMahon guard could have crawled away to tell the tale of how Laird McGill had slaughtered his companions and stolen Lady Maia away for good.
But by then,it was far too late to matter.
Maia Ferguson was already exactlywhere she belonged.
23
"Where are we goin'?"
Maia's voice was soft,almost hesitant, as Ewan guided the horse through the darkened forest. They weren't heading back toward the main castle entrance—she recognized enough of the landscape to know that much.
