“Ourway,” I insist. “You’re coming with me.” When he doesn’t reply, I press, “Is this about Hamish? He doesn’t scare me. We can fight him. You’re a million times stronger than he is.”
Callum looks down at me, and his expression is so terrifyingly flat, I almost look away.
“It’s true,” he says. “I could fight Hamish. But another threat to you would follow. And another. Until Donag’s blood price is paid.”
What’s happening hits me with sudden, savage clarity. “Did you know this whole time? That you’re sending me back tonight,alone?”
“No, I’d wanted?—”
“The new moon,” I cry, peering up despite the brancheshiding it from sight. My knees buckle. He catches me, and I want to shove him away and pull him closer simultaneously. His arms feel like the only thing keeping me from shattering. “Was this your plan? Was everything a lie?”
“Och, love, no. Never could I lie to you.”
He angles me in his arms, and I can’t help it—I meet his eyes. I’m desperate for the connection. For a lifetime of looking at him.
Nothing makes any sense. I’d thought I lost my mind when I first arrived but now I know—this, this is the real madness. I feel jangly and insubstantial, like I’ve grabbed an electrical wire, and it’s scrambling my brain, shrinking my skin too tight for my body. When I arrived, I questioned why I was here. Now all I want to know is why I have to go.
My voice breaks as I ask, “If tonight wasn’t a lie, then what was it?”
He strokes me with restless fingers—grazing my cheeks, hair, chin, shoulders—as though needing to touch me everywhere all at once. “This…it’s not how I’d hoped it might be. I wanted…I’d dreamed…well, that’s not to be. But I’d not trade a single moment. What we had, ’twas worth it.”
“Had? What do you mean,had?”
He casts an urgent look into the trees behind us. “There’s not much time,” he says, speaking faster. His hands slide down my neck and curl into my shoulders, as though he might anchor me forever in place. “Knowing you has made my life worthwhile. You’ve given me back my pride, and while a Campbell might take my life, none could ever take that from me. More than pride, you’ve given me family again.” He lifts a hand to my face, skimming my lower lip with his thumb. “My magnificent Rose.Youare my family.”
When his lips touch mine, I spear my fingers through his hair, seizing him closer. I need him closer, and deeper, and forever.
His kiss has already changed everything for me. Now I want it to make everything disappear.
Far away, a branch snaps.
With a sharp inhale, Callum pulls from me.
The hiss of steel drawn from several scabbards drifts on the wind.
“It’s time,” he whispers.
Dazed, I let myself be led to the door of the cottage. For an exquisite moment, I think he’s bringing me inside to hide. But then he stops. He twines his fingers tightly with mine, so tightly it hurts. Eyes drifting shut, he starts to chant again.
“No.” I try to tug free, but his fingers are locked with mine. “Let’s just run. We have to get out of here.”
His voice intensifies, grows louder, and I hate it. For a second, I hatehim.
“Stop it,” I snap. “Callum, stop.” I can’t bear this repetitive chanting, these strange, resonant words that rise from his throat sounding so hollow and deadened. “What are you saying? Callum. Speak English.”
There’s a shout. Voices calling back and forth.
I shake his arm, begging, “Please, Callum. Please. Just come with me.”
There’s an explosive rustling of branches. Loud, like men running. Toward us.
He opens his eyes. “They come. You must be brave.” He plunges his fingers into my hair, cradling my face in his hands. “We must both be brave.”
I sag into him, pressing his hands hard to my skin,curling my cheek into his palm. “Why can’t you come with me?”
“The chant is only for one,” he says tenderly. So sad, so definitive. “And it will only work for a red-haired lass. Beautiful beyond reasoning.” He adds in a rasp, “Most beloved among all women.”
His eyes lock with mine, an eternity passing in a single heartbeat. He kisses my forehead, and his lips linger softly, long enough that I feel his breath on my skin.
