“Even I can see how greatly you desire her now that you’re allowing your emotions their freedom. Trust me, the sooner you accept there is a bond and take her as yours, the far easier things will be for you both.”
“I allowed her to wed Matthew, and no man who is soul bound to another would allow such a thing.” He thumped his chest. “Now I cannae set Elizabeth MacRae aside for if I do, then I may as well be declaring war with one of our allies. The safety of our clan comes first, no’ my own needs and desires.”
“Our seer, Hamish, said that part of the journey in finding our chosen one belongs in the chase. If you forego your bond with Fiona, then you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Dinnae make the same mistake I nearly did with Ella. At first I believed my only option was giving her up, both for her safety’s sake and mine, but I was wrong, very wrong.”
“Hamish didnae confirm or deny the bond existed.”
The door whooshed open and Fiona stood there in her red velvet gown, her breasts pressed so deliciously tight against the white embroidered detailing at the edge of the low neckline. With her face pale and fingers twisted in her skirts, she cleared her throat. “I overhead your argument just now. Cherub confirmed our bond existed, even if Hamish didnae. Both Duncan and Ella believe we’re mated, but it appears you’re the only one who does no’ wish to listen to any of us.”
“If I wish to continue leading my clan then I must consider their needs first, no’ my own.” He couldn’t lose the additional number of MacRae warriors who’d stand behind him in the current war raging across these Highlands. “I dinnae want you, Fiona, no’ in any way.”
“Liar.” She shoved a finger in his chest. “But if that is what you wish to believe, then so be it.” She stepped back into the room and returned with her black cloak donned and satchel in hand.
“Where are you going?” He seized her hand as she pushed past him, then almost drowned in the deep despair flaring in her beautiful blue eyes as she looked at him.
“I’m the one woman you’ll never choose over any other. You walked away from me sixteen months ago, and now you’re doing so again and stating your reasoning for why quite clearly. One day you will be the Chief of Clan MacKenzie, and I understand that you need Elizabeth MacRae at your side, so instead of continuing to argue with you, I’m simply going to congratulate you on your coming marriage and leave for Iona. I wish you both well, that you’ll have a long life together and all of that.”
“Dinnae you dare wish me well.” He squeezed her fingers tighter.
“Leave me be.” She snatched her hand back and eyed Duncan. “I wish to leave, to no longer remain near your hard-headed brother. Might I stay at Ardan House until I can arrange suitable passage to Iona?”
He heaved in front of his brother. “Like hell you’re leaving right now. ’Tis late and I—I—” There wasn’t a chance he’d allow his woman to retire to a damn nunnery. Fury blazed through him, so swift and sharp. Enraged, he scooped her up and stormed upstairs. He took the next flight two steps at a time then shoved the door of a chamber on the first floor—which he’d already been assigned—open and stomped inside. Knocking the door shut with his hip, he tossed her onto the fur-covered four-poster bed.
She bounced, her red locks flying all about her face. Thrusting her hair back, she slayed him with one very fiery look.
“No’ a word,” he warned. “You’ll stay in my bed for the night, where I know you’ll be safe and unable to leave. Riding through the dark when you’ve been traveling all day is dangerous. We’re all exhausted and need to rest.”
“You cannae tell me what I can or cannae—”
“And if you utter even one more word in argument, I’ll bind and gag you.”
“You will do no such thing.”
“Dinnae push me, Fiona.” He plucked her riding boots from her feet, dropped them on the floor then crawled in over top of her, his knees either side of her hips as he loosened the neck tie of her black cloak. “You’ll also sleep on your side of this bed, while I sleep on mine. No more defying commands I issue. Am I understood?”
“There is no one more frustrating than you. That is what I understand.”
“Good. I’m glad you’ve recognized that.” He plucked the front laces of her bodice loose next, pushed her gown from her shoulders and tugged the long sleeves down her arms. He dragged the red velvet past her hips and down her legs, then in her white cotton shift, he rolled her under the covers. Never would he allow her to escape him again this night.
“I’ve never known you to be so forceful, Coll.” She shivered, even though a fire had been lit and warmed the room.
“I’ll hear no more complaints from you either.” He tossed a large block of peat on the fire and the flames danced higher.
“And rude.”
“No’ another word.” He heaved the heavy blue drapes across the window and stomped around to his side of the bed.