I feel him watching me, hear his breathing. And I’m breathinghim. His scent fills my senses—trees, wool, and a whiff of man skin. I’m acutely aware of him, and of me. Of every millimeter of every capillary pulsing beneath my skin.
“I’m afraid this is about as exciting as I get.” My attempted laugh comes out as a nervous puff of air.
“I’m afraid I disagree.” His hand reaches through the bars, his thumb stroking slow circles on the inside of my wrist. “I’m finding you to be quite thrilling.”
The hairpin slips from my fingers. I fumble for it, cursing, but my hands are shaking too much to hold on.
Callum notices. His touch stills, his tone grows gentle. “Rosie?”
He’s the only thing that matters, and that terrifies me. If I let myself feel the true force of my feelings, I’ll never get through this. I need a clear head. I need a distraction.
I swallow hard, grabbing for the safer, more familiar pain. “The only reason I even know how to do this is because of Janet.” As I fish through my pocket for another pin, I wait for him to say something, but he’s silent, and I find myself continuing my nervous ramble. “When I was little, I’d get these nightmares. I’d wake up in the middle of the night, convinced I’d been abandoned. I’d go knock onmy mother’s door, but she’d lock herself in and never answer. I mean”—I huff a humorless laugh—“she barely answered me when she was awake. So, I figured out how to break in.”
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “She was pissed.” I bend over the lock, focusing. “That doorknob was my first. An easy push-button thing. The front door was harder—I had to watch a video to learn that one.” I sigh, giving the padlock in my hand a cynical smirk. “I think I mentioned Janet’s favorite childcare method. When she didn’t want to deal with me, she’d lock me out of the house. But I was just a kid, right? Didn’t want to pee in the yard like some animal, so I learned how to pick that one, too. And, yeah…”
Callum is silent. So silent I’m not even sure he’s still breathing. But I feel his gaze—weightier somehow. As if he’s peering through the darkness, through the centuries, trying to learn me.
It’s a million times scarier than any of his suggestive banter.
“What?” I ask tightly, keeping my complete focus on the lock. I dare not brave even the slightest glance at him.
“It’s true then,” he finally says in a low voice. “Donag’s summoning. ‘Come thee, bold lass, whose soul burns steadfast.’ I’ve never met a soul with a truer heart than yours. Nor one braver.” He gives a decisive nod. “Surely none lovelier.”
I’ve always wanted to feel seen. And I don’t mean thelovelypart—why would I care about that when Callum sees deeper, into the most secret heart of me?
“But what is your true desire?” he asks.
My cheeks burn. “My desire?”
“Aye, the chant claims ‘Her heart’s true longing lies on Scottish land.’”
Oh,Callum.Duh. You are all I long for. My truest desire.
But for all my supposed ferocity, I’m not brave enough to say anything close to that. Instead, I tell him, “Family, I guess. I’ve always wanted to track down my family.”
He’s studying me, and I can tell he wants me to say more. I’m saved by a loud click.
The lock pops open.
I stumble back, a little unsteady on my feet, and open the cage. “Let’s get out of here.”
I turn, but before I can take a step, Callum drops from the cage and is by me in an instant, his arms wrapping around me from behind. He whispers into my ear, “Oh, my sweetest Rose, I’ll be your family—if you’ll have me.”
I part my lips to speak, but emotion chokes me. My small family flashes through my mind. Poppa kept me out of his sense of duty, at least in the beginning. My mother hung around because she had no choice. But here’s Callum—even though he doesn’t have to, even though it’s sent his world into chaos—and he’s choosing me.
I nod, a jerky up and down of my head. “I’d like that.”
He practically tackles me, scooping me up and sweeping me in a circle with a joyful shout. It morphs into a pained grunt as he gently lowers me back to my feet.
“You’re hurt,” I cry, my hands searching for injuries.
“Hush. It doesnae matter. Naught matters but you. And this.” My breath catches at the intensity in his eyes gazing down at me. He takes my hands and places them on his cheeks, then cups his over mine, linking us. He leans down until our foreheads touch. “My heart beats only for you, my Rosie-love.” Callum seals his words with a lingering kiss, and though his touch is gentle, the heat of it scorchesme, branding me.
He pulls away, but his lips stay whispering over mine with heart-wrenching tenderness. “I’m yours,” he vows. “Forever and for aye, through time till the end.”
Chapter
Thirty-One
