Her pulse beat against her throat as he slowly pressed her back against the wall. With his hands, he touched her veil, moving down the sides of her face as if he were trying to memorise her features. Marguerite saw the promise in his eyes, of a man who would lay down his life for hers. An aching fear clenched within her, for she didn’t know what lay ahead.
Though he was strong, he’d been badly wounded and shouldn’t be fighting so soon after his rescue. Yet, in his eyes she saw the steady resolve. Callum wasn’t a man who would stand aside while his family was in danger.
‘Will you be all right?’ she whispered, touching his shoulders.
His answer was to lean in, stealing a kiss. It was as if he drew strength from her, needing this one last touch. His mouth was gentle upon hers, unravelling the edges of her heart. There was no reason to kiss this man, nor give him any reason to think that they could stay together. Once her father came for her, she would have to go with the Duc and marry a man of his choosing.
But as she surrendered to Callum’s kiss, answering his need with her own, she refused to feel any guilt for it. He had endured so much, remaining strong in the face of suffering. Knowing that he wanted her, and that she felt the same answering desire, was enough for now. Either of them could die today.
When he pulled her into an embrace, she felt the quiet assurance of his protection. He wouldn’t leave her, no matter how dire the circumstances. Marguerite took a deep breath. ‘We should join the other women and children. They’ll need you to help guard them.’
He took her hand and led her forward, his gaze searching the perimeter for any threat. When they caught up to the others, Marguerite went with him into the underground passageway beneath the fortress. For now, they would hide from the invaders. And if the worst happened, she knew he would use every last breath to defend them.
Callum worked with Nairna to find the secret tunnel that led outside the fortress. The damp smell of earth permeated the space and he could sense the fear of the women and children behind him. Though most men would be afraid of the impending battle, inwardly he felt a sense of calm. Once he found a bow, he could strike down any man who dared to attack the women. In this, he would not fail. And if he died this day, at least he would keep Marguerite safe.
The taste of her lips lingered upon his mouth. He still couldn’t believe that she’d allowed him to touch her again. She’d welcomed him into her arms, until his thoughts went well beyond a kiss. He could imagine her creamy naked skin, the flush of arousal rising on her face. God above, what he wouldn’t give to spend a night pleasuring her. This woman, who had given him a path out of darkness, made him want to live.
The acrid scent of smoke caught his attention only seconds before his brother’s wife Nairna sensed it. The invaders had set fire to the keep and it was only a matter of time before it spread below. ‘We can’t stay here,’ she insisted, staring at him with horror. ‘We have to evacuate the others.’
Callum moved to examine the underground chamber, knowing that his older brother would have more weapons hidden somewhere. Behind him, he heard Alex’s wife speaking with Nairna, both arguing about whether to stay or go. He kept searching until, at last, he found the weapons. There were two longbows with arrows and a crossbow, as well as a few dull knives and one sword.
He claimed one of the bows for himself, along with a quiver of arrows. Though he still had the sword Alex had given him, he preferred to fight from a distance, since he lacked stamina.
His younger brother Dougal, who was only four and ten, looked uneasy at the prospect of fighting, but he’d agreed to help defend the women and children. Callum emerged from the darkness, holding out a bow for Dougal and more arrows. When Nairna tried to take his weapon, Callum shook his head, keeping his grip tight upon the bow.
In her eyes, he saw the lack of trust. ‘Can you defend us?’
He stared back at her and gave a single nod, hoping she would understand that this battle was his to face, not hers. Nairna stepped back, as if she were still wary of him. He gave no reaction, for she would see his skills soon enough.
Marguerite gathered the women together while Dougal cleared the exit to the outside. Callum reached for her hand and felt the cold soft skin of her palm.
He held it for a time, watching her, trying to let her know the words trapped inside of him. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.
A blush transformed her face as she nodded. ‘I know.’ She remained at his side as they moved towards the exit. The sunlight reflected the rainwater within the ditch. They would have to cross through the water and up the opposite hillside to reach the sanctuary of the trees and the dwellings hidden in the forest.
When Nairna started to move forward, Marguerite stopped her. ‘I know the way to your house, Nairna. I’ll go first and lead them, if you’ll help Laren gather the others. I don’t know them as well as you do.’
Callum slung his quiver of arrows over one shoulder. Though he understood Marguerite’s desire to help, he wouldn’t let her go anywhere without him. He chose a single arrow from the quiver, while Nairna returned to the store of weapons, choosing a crossbow. The young woman’s face was pale with fear, but Callum admired her willingness to fight.
The smoke grew worse, and when the children began coughing, Laren picked up her own daughters, one over each hip, as the women gathered together. Marguerite moved to the front of the passageway, but Callum kept at her side, nocking the arrow to his bow.
Her blue eyes held terror and she cast a last look at him.
It will be all right, he wanted to tell her. No one will harm you.
But without the words to reassure her, he reached out and stroked the side of her face with one hand. She held his fingers to her cheek and sent him a nod of trust.
And it was what he needed to face the danger ahead.
Callum left the shelter of the tunnel, studying their surroundings. There were no soldiers on this side of the fortress, nor any sign of them in the forest ahead. Satisfied, he signalled Dougal to cross the bank and take a position on the opposite side of the ditch. With both of them armed, they could protect the others from all sides.
His younger brother obeyed, but Callum didn’t miss the apprehension in his eyes. The lad was afraid, and whether or not he could shoot with accuracy was anyone’s guess.
While Nairna climbed down into the water with Marguerite, Callum kept his bow taut, searching for any threat. From his peripheral vision, he watched the women making their way through the water. Nairna’s dog dove in behind them, paddling across the water. The animal appeared unconcerned by the exodus and Callum took it as a good sign that the enemy had not yet reached this side of the fortress. Bram and Alex must have kept them occupied with fighting in the main fortress.
‘Go and take cover in the trees,’ Nairna told Marguerite, setting her crossbow on the ground. ‘I’ll stay with Dougal and help the women out of the ditch.’
Callum watched over her and Marguerite sent him one last look. He locked the image into his mind, afraid it was the last time he would see her. Her long golden hair gleamed against the sun and her blue eyes filled with worry. Despite the danger, he didn’t regret the moments he’d spent with her. If he died today, at least he’d glimpsed Heaven.
You’re unworthy of her, his conscience reminded him. All you can offer is your protection.
While more women evacuated with their children, Callum could only hold his position until Marguerite disappeared into the forest. He resumed his place on the bank beside the fortress, the arrow poised to shoot. And yet, he couldn’t stop his hands from shaking. It wasn’t fear—only the raw anticipation coursing through him.
Nairna’s dog began barking and Callum spun, taking aim at the emerging soldiers. He stretched the