Page 55 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“What is it?” Beitris asked while grabbing her hair, beginning to tie it into a low plait over her shoulder. She stared back at him worriedly. “Has something else happened?”

“I spoke with Mother earlier today.” He grimaced, remembering how distant and cold she became. “She is demanding I choose a date and soon. She was very adamant about it.”

“But now is not the time to be celebrating.” Beitris’s frown deepened. “The villagers still need their homes rebuilt. We haven’t any space to host guests. Not to mention, there are brigands lurking in the wood. And yer double could attack at any moment with the Black Stags and Murdo.”

“I know,” said Fraser, taking her hand, hoping his touch calmed her.

“Do ye think the marriage has something to do with yer double?” Beitris’s lips pursed. “Maybe he’s planning something for the wedding day.”

Fraser nodded. “I was thinking much the same. Either he attacks me or takes ye.”

“Or both,” Beitris said gravely.

She sat up, flicking her hair over her shoulder. The blanket slipped, and Fraser’s gaze fell on her breasts, his body heating. He quickly looked away, forcing himself to sit up and wrap the blankets around his bride. Now was not the time to resume lovemaking.

“Maybe we should comply with yer mother,” said Beitris while clutching the blanket to her chest. “Perhaps then we will discover the truth of the matter and meet this fraud.”

Fraser grimaced. “I do not want to put ye in any more danger than ye are already.”

“But we need to find out who this man is, Fraser,” Beitris said earnestly. “If we set the wedding date, then we will find out sooner who he is and what he wants.”

Fraser didn’t like it. What if they failed? What if this fraud succeeded in whatever evil plan he had? Beitris could get hurt.

“We can set the wedding date in seven days' time. That should give us enough time to prepare for battle.” Beitris stood from the bed, wrapping the blankets tighter around her body. She paced back and forth in the middle of the room, the blankets sliding across the floor. “My father should be able to arrive here within that time. We can use his soldiers for protection while yer guards search the castle keep.”

“Beitris—” Fraser started, but she didn’t seem to hear him.

“I suppose he will attack either before the wedding or during the vows.” She stroked her chin. “We’ll need archers at the ready.”

Fraser rose and strode towards her, grabbing her and carrying her back to bed. “I am not putting ye in any more danger.”

“But—”

“I won’t allow for it,” Fraser rushed out. “What if an arrow hits ye? What if yer taken?”

Beitris shook her head. “Then ye will have yer best archers at the ready.”

“Nae,” Fraser said sternly. “I thought I already lost ye once. I’m not having any more of it.”

He dumped her into the bed and crawled on top of her.

“But—”

He silenced her complaints with a kiss. She arched against him, her legs already opening for him. His hand stroked against her cheek, and her mouth opened, deepening the kiss. Her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. She whimpered, the sound making his body shudder and flush in response. He quickly wrenched himself away from her, gasping while trying to calm his racing heart. Beitris’s lips reached for him, but Fraser straightened, knowing if he continued any longer, he would take her again.

Fraser pushed himself away from the bed, his feet hitting the floor.

“Do not think yer lips can silence me forever, Fraser,” Beitris said darkly. “I still believe we should comply with yer mother. It’s the only way to bring out yer double and finally put a stop to this madness.”

Fraser sighed, looking away.

“Ye do want to marry me, Fraser? Is that a correct assumption?”

Fraser stilled, his gaze sliding back to her. She straightened in the bed, her blue eyes watching him, her lips still swollen from their kiss. She reminded him of a Greek goddess he once read about in a book he discovered in France. Although he supposed, Beitris was even more beautiful than what was described.

“Of course, I do,” he breathed. “I-I—” Fraser ground his teeth. He needed to spit it out now. He couldn’t contain his feelings any longer, especially with all they had been through. “I love ye, Beitris. I want to spend the rest of my life with ye. I want my every waking moment to be with ye.”

Beitris’s bottom lip quivered, her eyes welling with tears. She stroked his hair, his face. “I love ye, too,” she whispered. “I love ye so much it’s hard to breathe.” She shook her head. “I never thought I would feel this way for someone, for ye.”