He dropped a kiss on top of her head, hugging her tight to him. She felt safe and secure in his arms.
“I ken Bruce is still alive.”
“You do?”
“Aye.”
“He will come back, you know.”
“Oh, aye. But we will be ready for him and the rest of his ilk.”
She tipped her head back to look up at him. “And if the third piece of the keystone arrives?”
“We willna let it fall into the wrong hands.”
She rested her head on his chest, the steady beat of his heart underneath her ear. “I hope you’re right.”
He pulled away then, holding her hands in his and looking deep into her eyes.
“I make this second vow to ye here, now. Ye are my wife. A MacLeod. And ye have my name, my clan, and all the might of it behind ye.” The back of his hand swept over her cheek, warm against her chilled skin. “We are one flesh.”
His words rooted deep, weaving through her like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Her chest tightened, her breath catching as she met his gaze—those sea-green eyes, endless and fierce.
“Now and always?”
“Aye, lass. Now and always.”
His mouth claimed hers, sealing his vow to her. And in that strong, unyielding kiss filled with quiet passion, it was a bond nothing could break. It was a bond of forever.
THE END
