Page 3 of Highland Prince of Darkness

“Iain—”

“Just ken that nobody will ever love ye as I dae. Nobody.”

May was silent as she let his words hang in the air like a weight that refused to shift. She swallowed thickly and nodded slowly while staring down at the floor. There was nothing that she could say in response that felt right. May wanted to feel as though she could forgive herself for this decision, but she was terrified that Iain was correct.

By remaining in the castle with her father, May was omitting the chance of being with the one man that she truly loved. She knew that not taking the chance to break Iain out of the dungeon could result in her father eventually killing him. His life wasn’t guaranteed, and she didn’t want to chance relying on her father’s mercy.

“I ken,” she spoke in barely a whisper. May didn’t know how she was going to be able to turn her back on her lover, it felt like an impossible task with even worse consequences to come.

“I love ye, is that not enough?”

“I cannae go, and I will nae say it again,” May spoke with slightly more strength in her voice now.

Iain nodded and glanced over her shoulder, causing her to turn. There were loud voices coming from behind the castle walls, people were realizing that something was wrong.

“Ye need to go, they’ll find ye if ye stay here.”

“I would have loved ye every single day, and I would have loved ye right,” Iain spoke in a soft tone, yet his eyes were blazing with anger.

May took a step back, scared that if she stayed, he really wouldn’t leave. An idea came into her mind, but May knew that it would be cruel. It would perhaps be the blow that would sever their bond forever.

She pursed her lips and inhaled a deep breath before raising her voice. “He’s over here!”

Her voice rang out through the night air, it traveled over the walls and fields that surrounded them.

Iain stiffened and looked at her in horror. His limbs were poised to move quickly, and he was ready to get away as swiftly as he could.

“Why did ye do that?”

“Go,” May’s voice cracked.

“No,” Iain quickly countered.

“Go!” May cried. “ Here!” she raised her voice. “He’s over here!”

Iain cursed under his breath and took a couple of steps away from her.

“I loved ye.” He shook his head and turned away from her. “I just want ye to ken that this is a mistake.”

May closed her eyes and screwed them shut tightly, as though this would help her ignore the words that were coming out of his mouth.

By the time that she opened her eyes, Iain was gone.