“I…” she began, not having enough air in her lungs to say anything more.
“I ken,” Liam told her, his voice low and velvety. “We must get ye to the healer as soon as ye feel a wee bit steadier. I will get ye on Brimstone’s back.”
Katherine nodded, reluctant to leave the warmth of his embrace. Somehow, despite everything, he remained the one constant in her life. Even if he pulled away, he would still protect her. He would face even the toughest odds for her.
“I cannae stop shakin’,” she murmured against his chest. “But I’m nae cold. I am just... I daenae ken.”
“It is the shock,” he told her, slowly urging her back.
His hands stayed on her, keeping her steady. It was almost as if he refused to see her on the ground again. His eyes cataloged her appearance, and she blushed when she realized the state she must be in.
The dress that the seamstress had worked so hard on was soaked through. Mud was caked on the hem and up her back. It was even stuck in her hair, and she was sure that she had cuts on her face, neck, and chest.
It is so foolish to be concerned about me appearance. He’s just checkin’ me for injuries.
Quickly, he pulled out his dagger and sawed through the rope binding her wrists. Once her hands were free, he rubbed the angry red spots, trying to ease some of the soreness. He knew these would need attention from the healer, too, she was sure.
After he tucked the knife away, his arms came up to steady her once more. She couldn’t tell how much time passed as he drank her in. Part of her wanted to squirm away, but the other, more exhausted part of her knew that it would be of no use. She’d only be restarting the cycle that had pained both of them.
I want him near me, as near as possible.
“Ye are the most bonnie lass I have ever seen in me life,” he said finally, keeping one hand on her waist as he tucked a strand of her muddied hair behind her ear.
“Liam,” she said, her words failing her for the first time in her life. It was as if all she could utter was his name, the word feeling like a prayer between them. “Liam.”
“Katherine,” he said, sounding just as reverent. The birds were slowly starting to sing again, and the sun filtered in through the leaves above. It seemed as though, in that moment, that all of his reservations had been stripped away. “I would marry ye again, just like this. Right here in the mud.”
“Liam,” she said again, a little laugh bubbling from her chest. She rested her forehead against his shoulder, breathing in his scent as she tried to will her head to stop spinning. “Thank ye for comin’ to me rescue. I wouldnae have survived if ye hadnae arrived when ye did.”
“I will always keep ye safe,” he said as his hand came up to cradle the back of her head. “Nae matter what happens, Katherine. I vow that I will never let anythin’ happen to ye. And I will make anyone that touches ye pay.”
“Well, I hope ye daenae have to,” she said with a huff. For a beat, they stayed like that, quiet and breathing in each other’s presence. When he gently pushed her back once more, she murmured, “What is it?”
Instead of responding with words, Liam closed the gap between them with a kiss. The kiss was gentle, but an undeniable heat simmered beneath it. Katherine reciprocated, pressing herself against his strong frame. It felt as if the kiss itself was giving her the strength she needed to make it back to the castle.
As they parted, Liam said, “Let me put ye on Brimstone’s back. I will tie him to me mare then I will take ye back to the castle. After ye visit with the healer, perhaps ye’ll allow me to introduce ye to everyone as me wife. Properly.”
She nodded, unable to find the words to respond. His fierce declaration was so unlike the kisses they shared behind closed doors and the private looks she’d indulged. It was overwhelming in a way that she didn’t think she disliked.
But I’m lookin’ forward to gettin’ used to it.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Someone ride ahead and inform the healer we will be there soon,” Liam barked at one of his men as they rode out of the forest.
Katherine’s body was pressed against his, all the mud and liquid from her ordeal soaking into his chest. He didn’t care. He’d do it all again to have her in the saddle in front of him.
But I willnae have to do this again. The pirates are gone.
“Aye, Me Laird!” one of the guards responded before digging his heels into his stallion’s side and taking off toward the castle gates.
Brimstone seemed proud to be carrying both of them home, each of his steps careful. The beast had proven himself to be just as effective as Liam in dangerous situations. If it wasn’t for the animal’s propensity to protect Katherine, he might considertraining him to ride into battle. As it stood, he’d much rather the horse belong to his wife.
“We are nearly there,” he whispered in Katherine’s ear. “I ken that I said I wanted to introduce ye properly, but if ye wish to rest, I will allow it.”
“If I wished to rest, ye wouldnae be able to stop me from doin’ so, Laird MacDougal,” she retorted, her tongue still sharp as a knife. “I will wait to see what the healer’s recommendation is.”
“Smart lass,” he praised, pulling back the reins to slow Brimstone’s canter. He seemed just as eager to get them back within the safety of the castle walls, but Liam couldn’t risk any stress on the rope holding the horses together. “But we will be postponin’ the ceilidh regardless.”
