Page 47 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
Now, Damien offered her a slow, dangerous smile and smoothly rose from his crouch to tower over her. Helena was glad forthe little wooden half-door between them, no matter how paltry against his strength.
“The furthest thing from me mind, lass,” he purred. “And I was jestin’ with ye. I did have business.”
“And you couldn’t say goodbye?” Helena demanded.
She swore that his breath caught and his eye flickered with some emotion that made her clutch at the wooden door.
“I didnae ken that ye wanted one,” Damien murmured. “A terrible mistake on me part. Willnae happen again.” Then, he stepped closer and looked down at her. “What if I said I missed ye?”
Helena flinched. “Another poor jest on my behalf?”
“Unlike ye, I dinnae lie,” Damien continued as she glared up at him. “Strange to miss ye, though.”
“Why, because it was only six days?”
Damien’s grin turned wicked, and he clasped his hands behind his back, then leaned down so that they were at eye level. “Nay. But I do like that ye kept track of the days.” He paused. “Strange, because I saw ye in every last one of me dreams.”
Helena’s grip tightened, and she couldn’t help but growl, “Not this bloody business again.”
“D’ye have some power over dreams, Hel?” Damien teased. “I should ken before we wed.”
“Yes, bringing you to those winter lilies in the woods was all a ploy to bewitch all your dreams, My Laird,” Helena said and threw up her hands. “That way, you could never be rid of me. And would not change your mind about marrying me.”
For a moment, Damien’s face became almost… tender? Helena’s palms became damp, and she stepped back, pressing them against her skirts. Why had she said such a thing out loud?
“Och,” Damien murmured, and her heart leaped as she heard the creak of the wood as he stepped out and closed the stall half-door. “Then I shouldnae complain, should I?”
Her heart began to beat faster. “Wh-What?”
“For bewitchin’ me further, love,” Damien said and stepped closer. “Twas nae needed.” He smiled down at her as he brought his hands around and pressed them to his chest. “But I am enjoyin’ it.”
Helena took a deep breath and reached for his hands, squeezing them. His eye went wide. “Neither one of us was going to change our mind, even though both of us thought the other would, hm?”
Damien’s eye crinkled into rueful amusement. “Aye, I think that about sums it up.” His head bent. “I did have foolish business that took me away. I’m sorry—I didnae think ye’d mind. More time for translatin’.”
Helena wanted to tell him that she had minded, that she’d barely been able to work, and that she’d been waiting for him at the gate, not her father.
“I did not know my father was coming,” she blurted out. “I’m sorry for his atrocious behavior. But I thank you again for…” She ducked her head and closed her eyes. “Thank you for saying what you said.”
It means so much.
“Mhm, I’m not sure if this means I should’ve said everything I wanted to say or be glad that I didnae say all those things,” Damien said in a wicked voice, causing her to let out a weak laugh. His hands squeezed hers and then they both let go. “Ye are welcome, but he has nay right to speak to ye so, lass. But ye ken why he’s so foul, aye?”
“Travel woes?” Helena tried to joke, but she sounded too bitter, and she added under her breath, “My existence?”
“Nay, he fully realized today that he’s losin’ all his power over ye—and he’sragingat that.”
Helena’s lips parted, and she gave a brief shake of the head, even as her gaze turned inward. Christ, but she was so lovely, even standing in this drafty stable, with slants of winter light brushing past her.
Damien had needed to walk away earlier before he ravished her on the spot, and now that they were alone, in this half-lit place…
He shook his head, reminding himself of the fragile light he’d seen in her hazel eyes, of the way her shoulders had slumped as her father berated and mocked her. He could’vekilledthe bastard where he stood, but that would not have been a good omen to start their life of wedded bliss.
Still, his blood was too hot after dealing with several issues, from trying to get goods in and out, to the bloody storms, and to a whisper of a Viper sighting to the north.
“Ye tell me if he speaks or does anythin’ out of turn again, Hel,” Damien said, and her gaze cleared. “Ye hear me?”
Helena gave an uncertain nod, and Damien thought he saw her hand drift toward her arm. Something whispered in the back of his head, but then a merry greeting sounded.
