Page 97 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
Elinor eyed him narrowly, her blue irises darkening. “What are ye talking about?”
“I’m saying I’ll watch over ye.”
“Nay, ye cannae. Ye have to sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”
Ciaran shrugged. “I’ve undertaken worse on less.”
Elinor tried to protest, but it was clear that his mind was already made up. He sat on the rocking chair while she made herself comfortable on the bed.
His eyes would remain on the door the entire night. He briefly turned his head to the window because the room was not high up in a tower, but the door was his major concern.
For some reason, Elinor’s soft breathing comforted him throughout the night as he kept watch. Not once did he feel the urge to sleep. He did, however, feel the urge tothink.
This could not go on forever. He could not guard Elinor every single time he thought she was in danger. What would happen when he went off to war? What if he had an important meeting outside his clan and Elinor was home all by herself? What if Thomas could not protect her in his absence, no matter how hard he tried?
Jamie’s words, right after he drove the blade into his chest, rang in his ears.
“Ye ken he’ll only send more people after ye, do ye nae? They’ll keep coming. Until ye remember where home is and return.”
Ciaran had no plans to return to Clan MacGee, so he would have to deal with the people Logan sent after him.
The thought of being too helpless to help Elinor seized him. What if one of the men Logan sent was strong enough to actually get to her? What would he do, then?
The chair creaked, breaking his train of thought for a brief moment.
He couldn’t call off the wedding. Not now. Not after everything that had happened. Not after Elinor had been kind enough to let his people settle properly for the first time in almost a year. He was certain that his clansfolk were grateful to her for it. They had never looked happier than they did here. He could not take that away from them.
He had to do the next best thing—keep his distance. Even if the wedding took place, he would do it on his own terms.
He would protect her as much as he could.
“I will die before I let anything happen to ye,” he whispered, his eyes flitting to a peaceful Elinor.
Her chest rose and fell on soft breaths.
“I will,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.
