Page 21 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

“But…why? What…what happened?”

“My father…” Colin cleared his throat, perhaps in an effort to keep from becoming too emotional. Gemma held his face in her hands and forced him to lock his green eyes onto hers.

“What?” she asked again.

“The laird…isnae happy wi’ him. An’...Christ, I…” he was struggling with his words, something Gemma thought did not bode well.

“Colin, what’s wrong?”

“He’s…arranged for me tae marry another lass.”

Gemma felt absolutely gobsmacked by this news. If Colin did not look and act so serious, she might have thought this was an elaborate joke.

“No! He cannae…how could he do such a thing?!” she cried.

Colin shook his head, reddish curls shaking in the wind.

“He’s already done it,” he said. His eyes became glassy with unshed tears as he spoke. “Gemma, I am so sorry. I…please, believe me when I tell ye I’m just as blindsided by this news as ye are.”

Gemma still didn’t understand any of this abruptness, but the pained look on Colin’s face was enough to break her.

“Please, dinnae go! I need ye here,” she implored, still holding onto his face.

Colin reached up and covered her hands with his own much larger, rougher ones, pressing his forehead to hers.

“I ken. I dinnae want tae leave, but I have no choice.”

“There is always a choice!” she whispered hoarsely, feeling hot tears form in her own eyes.

“Not this time. Gemma…please. Dinnae make this any harder than it has tae be.”

Then she realized he was crying too. The tears flowed down his cheeks, and he could not stop them. She followed suit, her shoulders heaving with effort.

“Colin, I dinnae ken what I’ll do without ye!” she sobbed.

“Ye are a strong, wise woman. Ye will be perfectly well,” he tried to soothe her, his voice gravelly and hoarse.

“The castle willnae be the same without ye. Nothin’ will!”

In one final act of desperation and love, Colin pressed his lips to hers. This kiss was unlike any of the others they’d shared. There was no softness or sweetness in this one. No, this one was full of nostalgia, unfulfilled promises, regret, and the fire of passion. That last bit made it all the more painful and bittersweet.

When they reluctantly broke apart, the both of them were crying — Colin was desperately trying to hold it back, but Gemma was openly weeping.

“I c-cannae lose y-y-ye,” she stuttered through sobs.

“I willnae be lost. Gemma, I will always be here,” he said, pointing at her heart.

“‘Tis a poor substitute for the real thing,” she cried.

“I ken. It pains me as well. I dinnae want tae leave ye. But ken this; I will never stop lovin’ ye, no matter what.”

“My heart is yers,” she whispered, realizing that she could not keep him any longer.

“Goodbye, Gemma. I love ye,” he said, slowly disentangling himself from her arms.

“I love ye too, Colin. I always will,” she said. Her hair whipped around in the wind, some strands sticking to her wet tear-strewn face.

He gave her one last longing look before he squeezed her hand and walked to the direction of the castle.