Her breath hitched. "Alpin..."
"I'm sorry I worried ye. I should have told ye I was leavin’ this mornin’, but ye were still asleep and I didnae want tae wake ye." His hand moved up to cup her cheek. "There's nay one else, Mhairi. Nay secret meetings, nay romantic assignations. Just clan business and a very frustratin’ prisoner."
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Fer doubting ye."
"Dinnae be sorry. I should be glad ye think of me at all."
A small smile tugged at her mouth. "That's a very low bar."
"Maybe. But after everything ye've been through, the fact that ye can feel anythin’ fer anyone is... it's remarkable."
Her smile faded. "I've brought ye naething but trouble. Ashcombe at yer borders, prisoners in yer cells, danger tae yer people."
"Stop." Alpin's voice was firm. "Ye havenae brought me trouble. Ashcombe and Graham brought trouble. Ye've brought me... " He paused, searching for the right words. "Light. Purpose. Someone worth protectin’."
"I'm nae worth all this," she said quietly.
"Ye're worth everythin’." The words came out more intensely than he'd intended, but he didn't take them back. "And I'll keep provin’ that tae ye until ye believe it."
They stood there for a long moment, his hand still cradling her face, her eyes searching his.
"I should go see tae that prisoner," Alpin said finally, reluctantly. "Before Donnach gives up on him entirely."
"Aye." But Mhairi didn't step back.
Neither did Alpin.
"There's somethin’ else," he said. "Every first of the month, the clan holds a traditional dance in the great hall. It's taemorrow night."
Mhairi's eyes widened slightly. "A dance?"
"Aye. Music, food, everyone from the castle and the nearby villages. It's meant tae bring the clan together, remind us we're more than just warriors and workers." He paused. "I'd like ye tae go. With me."
"I... I dinnae ken if that's a good idea."
"Why nae?"
"Because people will talk. Because I'm supposed tae be under yer protection, nae..." She gestured vaguely between them.
"Nae what?" Alpin's voice was soft but intense. "Nae someone I care about? Nae someone I want tae spend time with?"
"Alpin—"
"Come tae the dance, Mhairi. Let people talk. Let them see that ye're nae just some lass I'm shelterin’ out of duty. Let them see that ye belong here."
"Dae I?" The question came out small, vulnerable. "Belong here?"
"More than ye ken." He let his hand drop from her face, giving her space. "Think about it. And prepare yerself tae dance, because I'm nae taking nay fer an answer."
He forced himself to step back, to break the moment before he did something foolish like kiss her right there in the healing chambers.
"I really dae need tae go," he said. "Donnach will be wonderin’ where I am."
"Aye. Go." But Mhairi was smiling now, a real smile that reached her eyes.
Alpin made it to the door before turning back. "Mhairi?"
"Aye?"
