Page 34 of The Highlander’s Iron Hold

Morag nodded, "Aye," she whispered, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'll stay right here." Her hands shook slightly as she reached for her discarded clothes. The magic of their moment had been thoroughly shattered.

Colin grabbed his sword, moving silently through the trees surrounding the glen, his hand resting on his sword hilt as he checked for any signs of intruders. After several tense minutes, he returned to find Morag fully dressed and waiting beside the horses, her face pale but composed.

"Naething," he said briefly, dressing as well. "But we should go. Now."

Morag nodded, unable to meet his gaze after their encounter.

"What dae ye think it was?" She asked as she moved toward her horse. "The sound, I mean. Animal? Fraser scout? Or just the wind playing tricks on us?"

"I’m nae sure. I didnae see anythin’. But I dinnae want tae put ye in any danger."

They mounted quickly, the earlier intimacy replaced by tense awareness of potential danger. Colin helped Morag settle in her saddle, his touch brief and impersonal despite the heat that still simmering between them.

They'd ridden for several minutes in charged silence when Morag finally spoke, her voice cutting through the tension.

"Daes this happen often?" she asked, her tone carefully neutral.

Colin glanced at her sharply. "What?"

"Being interrupted. Havin’ tae worry about enemies lurkin’ behind every tree." She adjusted her grip on the reins, her knuckles white. "Nae havin’ a moment of peace together. Is this what marriage tae ye will always be like?"

"I dinnae ken," Colin admitted honestly. "Fraser's made things... complicated."

"Complicated," Morag repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her. "That's one way tae put it. I suppose romantic waterfalls lose their appeal when ye're constantly lookin’ over yer shoulder."

"It wasnae always like this," Colin said quietly. "This glen... it used tae be a place of peace."

"And now?"

"Now nowhere is safe." His jaw tightened. "Not while Fraser still breathes."

Morag was quiet for a moment, processing this. "Is that why ye dinnae let yerself... why ye keep everyone at arm's length? Because of the danger?"

Colin's hands tightened on his reins. "It's easier that way."

"Easier fer who?"

"Fer everyone." Colin's voice carried the weight of years of lonely responsibility. "When ye care about people, when ye let them get close... it gives yer enemies something tae use against ye."

"So ye choose tae be alone instead," Morag said, understanding dawning in her voice. "Better tae be the Iron Laird than risk having someone ye love threatened."

"Something like that," Colin muttered.

"That's a terrible way tae live," Morag said softly.

"It's kept me people alive," Colin replied defensively.

"Has it? Or has it just made ye miserable?" Morag challenged. "Because from where I sit, it looks like Fraser's threatenin’ yer people anyway, and ye're facing it without anyone truly by yer side."

Colin was quiet for a long moment. "Are ye offering tae stand by me side?"

"I'm trying tae understand what that would mean," Morag said carefully. "Whether there's room fer a real wife in yer life, or just a political convenience ye occasionally show tenderness tae at waterfalls."

"What happened back there..." Colin started, then stopped, struggling with the words.

"Aye?"

"It wasn't about politics," he said finally. "Or convenience."