Lucy could barely believe her eyes when she saw a figure on horseback in the distance. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, thinking that it might have been an illusion borne from fatigue. However, the closer she got, the more she became certain that it was Ian. He was a tall figure, drawing a cart behind him, so he would have been traveling slower than she had. He handled his horse in the same manner as Ian did, and her heart was filled with elation.
* * *
The night had been long,but Ian had almost reached his destination. It felt as though he was bringing things to a close in a neat circle, ending up where his mother began. By now, Rory and Lucy would have found the letters he left for them. They would have likely been angry, but he hoped they would understand, given time. She might even be back in the keep now, where she belonged. She was a noble woman, after all. Through the night he had gazed at the stars, and now he gazed at the misty clouds drifting far across the horizon, losing himself in them. His life would never be the same again. He would cherish the time he spent with Lucy for the rest of his life. If the Laird’s guards should find him, then he would pay for his crimes. If not, then he would live out his life alone with the sea for company, lapping against the shore day in, day out. Men couldn’t have everything in life, after all. At least he knew the forge was in good hands.
Then, suddenly, from nowhere came a cry.
“Ian! IAN!” it came from behind him. He swung around and saw Lucy galloping towards him, her cloak billowing in the wind, her body leaning forward, thrumming with purpose. She came to a stop, the horse whinnying loudly, and then she dismounted. Ian, speechless, did the same.
He stood there as she marched up to him, anger blazing in her eyes. “How dare ye walk away from me like that. After all I told ye, dae ye really think I wanted another man tae decide my fate for me? Tae leave without saying goodbye properly was a cowardly thing, Ian. Ye abandoned me, betrayed me…”
“I was trying tae protect ye. I thought ye deserved a better life than tae live in fear that yer crimes would be discovered. What kind of life would it be tae live in the shadows of my crimes, or tae hae people looking for ye as a thief?”
“I would take all of that if it meant I could be with ye. Any life would be empty without ye, and that’s what ye dinnae understand. Ye hae lost sae much that it hae become a habit for ye and ye believe that it is the only way tae live. But it’s nae, Ian, it’s nae,” she reached out with a hand and placed it upon his cheek. The touch was tender. Ian took a deep breath, enjoying the moment, closing his eyes as he did so. Then, he bowed his head.
“I dinnae need ye walking away from me, Ian. I dinnae need ye tae leave me or fix anything or try and protect me. I never asked any of that from ye,” Lucy continued, her words insistent, tinged with raw emotion. “All I want is tae be with ye. Ye are allowed tae be happy. I chose tae leave the keep. I chose tae lie with ye. And I choose tae be here with ye now. Ye can keep running if ye like, but I promise ye I will keep chasing ye down tae the ends of the earth. Ye cannae gae far enough tae escape me, Ian. I love ye.”
Ian stared at her for a long time, barely able to believe that this spirited, wondrous woman had fallen into his path, had filled his heart. “I thought love hae left me a long time ago. I could nae save my family… I thought the only thing that mattered was saving ye.”
“Ian, think about what yer family would want for ye. I can save myself. Maybe it’s time that someone saved ye. Did ye ever think of that?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Ian considered it for a moment, because he certainly hadn’t. She moved closer to him and lowered her voice, looking up at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I want tae be yer family.”
Her words were honeyed and they slipped like a dagger between his ribs, piercing his heart. Seeing her again made him realize how foolish he had been in trying to make a decision for her. He should have known that she would never have done what she was told, but only what she wanted, and now he was glad of it. He wasn’t about to let her disappear from his sight again. Overwhelmed by love, he grabbed her and pulled her close. He kissed her tightly, wrapping his arms around her in a silent promise to never let her go. Their lips crashed together as the dawn light shone around them, making the dew on the grass glisten. In the distance, the ocean swept against the shore. The world was alive with the song of nature. Ian and Lucy were alive with the song of love. The air shimmered and everything seemed to swirl around them. For a moment, Ian could even believe that he was floating, such were the intoxicating and incredible feelings of her kiss. He had lost so much during his life, but in her, he had found something new, something that he would hold on to forever.
EPILOGUE
After kissing, they continued to travel together. The world had never been as beautiful as it was now. They both slowed their pace whenever they came upon a place of interest. They speculated about the meaning of every cloud, and observed the various types of birds they saw soaring overhead. It was as though everything was on a platter for their senses to feast upon, and they were eager to drink it all in. Speaking of drinking, they stopped in a small inn after traveling for the rest of the day. Ian knew the owner, and was happy to introduce Lucy as his companion. A weight had been lifted off their shoulders since they were no longer under threat of being discovered. They joked and laughed, but underneath it all was an undercurrent of tension and anticipation. They planned to continue traveling to Giant’s Hook as Ian had originally planned, but tonight they would rest.
“Ye know, we dinnae need tae stop at Giant’s Hook,” Lucy said when they were in their room together. “I hae always wanted tae see the world.”
“Seeing it all is a big ask, although after all ye hae been through I would nae put it past ye. Is there anywhere in particular ye would like tae see?”
Lucy thought a moment, clasping her hands against her chest. “Oh, I dinnae know. I suppose I want tae see all kinds of different things. I want tae sail on ships intae the deepest parts of the oceans, and ride horses intae the wild woods. I want tae rush along rivers and gallop through the valleys. I want tae see England and Ireland and even Norway. I want tae swim in lochs and hear my screams echo through the glens.” The words rushed from her mouth. She paused to catch her breath, turning to Ian, realizing that these were all her dreams.
“That could take a lifetime tae see,” Ian said, sucking in his breath.
Lucy smiled sheepishly at him. “Perhaps it is a wee bit ambitious.”
“I dinnae say there was anything wrong with it,” he cooed, taking her hands in his and looking at her earnestly.
“But there has tae be enough for both of us. What dae ye want tae dae, Ian?”
“I am nae sure. I rarely dreamed of anything other than that forge. I suppose that I will be happy wherever ye are. As long as I get tae see yer face and hold yer hand, as long as I get tae be with ye, then it dinnae matter where in the world we are,” his voice fell to a whisper as he reached up to stroke her cheek.
A smile played upon Lucy’s face. She rolled her lower lip beneath her teeth. Seized by a wicked confidence, she leaned towards him and whispered. “Perhaps we could mark each location… by being trapped in the bedroom. It might be fun tae express ourselves out in the world, with the wind at our backs,” she looked around nervously, almost scaring herself by the radical thoughts, yet something about Ian brought out this side of her.
“Well, there is naething stopping us anymore,” Ian said, and whisked her into his arms. She giggled as he lifted her into the air, but the laughter soon faded, suffocated by endless kisses. The freedom they felt was intoxicating. Making love with Ian had always been intense, but this time it was wilder and freer, as though their souls had been unshackled.
They fell upon the bed. His weight pressed down on her, his lips ravishing her, his hands clawing at her clothes. She did the same, and they flung their garments on the floor around them, casting them into an unknown void. Her flesh screamed to be free, and her body arched as he drenched her with kisses. Strong hands ran over every inch of her body, making her gasp and tremble with anticipation. He was kissing her neck and his hands ran over her breasts, cupping them in one strong grip, before his right hand slid down. He grazed her thigh, his fingers stretching out, eliciting a shrill gasp and an aching spasm that came from deep within her. The bed creaked as they rolled together. His fingers slipped inside her, and she lost herself to her passion, becoming dazed and delirious at the sensations that crashed through her body. She clung to him, running her hands all along his back, feeling every sinew stretch taut. His breath washed over her, creating a wave of flames that seeped into her flesh. Lucy radiated desire.
Then, Ian suddenly turned her around so that she rolled on top of him. His fingers were still inside her, playing and toying and tormenting her. Her mind was sizzling. Her body was dazzling. Breath rushed through her as she felt his heartbeat thumping against her. She kissed him hard as pleasure rippled through her, coming out in hot, liquid bursts. He lifted his hands and placed them around her waist, pulling her over him fully. She straddled him, his wide body underneath her, every ounce of his masculinity on display for her.
She placed her arms on his chest as she shifted her position, taking him inside her, becoming one with him. She arched her neck back as she felt the sweet sensations of him spreading through her, ascending like an angel. She bristled and shuddered, her skin flushed with arousal. He traced his hands all over her curves, groping her breasts, running along her waist, through her hair. Every part of her was alive with this intense, glorious feeling. She moaned as she caught his hand and brought it to her mouth, sucking on his fingers as she rocked back and forth, rolling her hips, their bodies locked together.
The room was filled with deep grunts and squealing moans. She leaned back fully, loving the sight on his face as he enjoyed the flaunting, shapely body, before he grimaced with tension, and everything about him became harder. He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her down, kissing her hard. She draped herself over him, melting across his broad chest, all the while he took control, thrusting powerfully as the bed creaked. The tremors of impact were shot through her mind, lancing like lightning through her body. With every thrust, a moan was pushed out of her throat and a dazed look came into her eyes. His strong arms wrapped around her, and she rode him to heaven. The horizon opened to her, and she lost herself completely and utterly, laid against him as heat radiated through her. She became a creature of love and lust and temptation, of all the sweetest and most beautiful things in the world. This time, when she looked into his eyes, she knew that it would never come to an end.
He must have felt the same too, because he brushed sweat-drenched hair from her face and smiled. “Lucy, will ye be my wife?” he asked. She smiled and nodded, sealing the promise with a kiss.
* * *
