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“Ye are alright now. Everything is alright,” Evan said. He placed his hand under her chin and tilted her head up so that she could look at him. His smile looked strange, for half of it was coated in blood. He was still handsome though, and still possessed a face that she could happily stare at for the rest of her life. He clasped her hand in his, squeezing it so tightly it hurt, but this time, she did not mind the pain. “I will never leave ye again,” he promised. She held his gaze and then wiped the blood away from his cheek with her sleeve. She rolled forward on her tiptoes and cupped his cheeks in her hands as she kissed him. His arms wrapped around her and he held her close. This battlefield may not have been the most romantic place to kiss, but she did not care about that. She was with Evan, and that was all that mattered.

“I love ye,” she whispered. He smiled and his eyes lit up. He kissed her on the forehead. “I love ye tae.”

She looked around and saw the remains of the battle. The ground shook as the army arrived, and the last of Munro’s men who had been tamed by Evan and Stephen’s swords now yielded. Soldiers alighted from horses and came rushing up toward Evan, Stephen, and Amelie to ensure that they were unharmed. Evan’s cheek was bandaged, while the men also had some water and other resources. Evan gave them a quick account of what had happened, and also told them about the inn. The men had already been to the inn, though. That was how they had found out about this part of the forest. Munro’s accomplices had been arrested and the grim plot to attack Pascal’s clan was not going to come to fruition.

Amelie’s fingers were cupped around a waterskin. Evan had been talking to his men for a while, so Amelie was resting on a tree stump. She rubbed her forehead, trying to ease away the dull ache that put pressure on her skull. Evan came towards her. She shifted to the side. The stump was wide enough to support them both, just about.

“I thought ye were actually gaeing tae dae it,” he said.

“I would have if Munro hae nae given me any other choice,” Amelie said in a soft voice. “Pascal and Fleur hae protected me for my entire life. I thought it was the least I could dae.”

“I’m glad it dinnae hae tae end that way.” He reached over and slipped his hand into hers.

“I’m just sorry it hae tae end like this. All this death…” she said. She looked towards Munro’s body. “I know I should nae, but I feel a wee bit sorry for him. The things he told me about the way his Da treated him…”

“Aye, but he chose tae treat other people the way his Da treated him. He could hae defended them from him.” The somber moment lingered between them. “We should get gaeing. Would ye like me tae take ye back tae the nunnery, or tae ye brother?”

Amelie smiled sweetly at him. “I’ll follow wherever ye lead,” she said.

* * *

A week had passed and Evan was more nervous than he had felt in a long time. He paced around the room. Amelie was sitting down. She tilted her head towards him.

“Ye know all is gaeing tae be well,” she said frankly.

Evan wished that he could be as confident as she was. Pascal strode in, looking every inch like a Laird. Amelie remained seated. There was a majesty that Pascal possessed now, some ineffable regalness that had grown within him during his time leading the clan.

“Ye wished tae see me?” Pascal asked.

“Aye, Sir,” Evan said, finding that the words faltered in his mouth. He did have a speech prepared, but now that he was faced with Pascal he found himself floundering. “I wanted tae ask ye a question. I know that I am the Captain of the Guard and that my past hae been… well, my character may nae hae been as noble as I would hae liked. However, I believe that I hae conducted myself well and with dignity and that I hae proven myself tae be a worthy servant tae ye.”

Pascal tilted his head to the side and frowned. “Evan, if ye are trying tae ask me for a higher position I am nae sure what more I can offer ye.”

“A higher position?” Evan became flustered. “Oh, nae, Sir. Well, I suppose it’s a higher position of sorts,” he said. “It’s just that, well, yer sister, Sir, she hae made me see the world in a different light and I hold her in the highest regard. I know that ye are very protective of her, as ye are right tae be, but I would hope that, well…”

Amelie laughed and came to stand by his side, taking his hand. “What he’s trying tae say, dear brother, is that he wants tae marry me. And I suggest ye approve the marriage, because I want tae marry him as well,” Amelie said. The more she had gotten used to speaking, the more forthright she had been, and in this instance she was not going to be denied what she truly wanted. There were few times in her life where she had ever spoken up, but she was not going to let anyone take her man away from her.

Pascal arched an eyebrow. He was still getting used to his sister speaking. “Who am I tae argue with ye? We shall set the wedding for a month’s time. That will give us enough time tae prepare. And, Evan, ye never need tae be afraid of asking me for anything. Ye brought Munro tae justice, but more importantly, ye protected my sister. I will always be grateful tae ye for that,” he said, clasping Evan’s forearm. Evan smiled and then he turned to Amelie, who was grinning widely. They were to be married, and it seemed as though their story was going to have a happy ending after all.