He planned to leave on a scouting trip, hoping distance would ease the feelings between them before they had the chance to grow even deeper. But he already missed her like mad.
Another plunk of a large rock in the water, and he dropped to the boulder beneath him.
He must go talk to her and tell her she wasn’t alone. Despite what they’d planned for their marriage, things had changed. It had been inevitable, he supposed. Life was like that. Repeating itself over and over. Winter to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall, and fall to winter. But he had a will of his own, and he’d be damned if he repeated his previous mistakes.
His mother and father had fallen madly in love and were broken because of it. He would do whatever necessary to ensure he and Mari didn’t fall victim to the same fate. Even if it meant staying away for months at a time.
Just as he slid down from his perch, the calm night air was rent with a blood-curdling scream. It was cut off abruptly, but he’d heard enough to know it had come from his wife.
He took off in the direction of the sound, drawing his sword. Thankfully, she wasn’t far off. He’d be to her soon. When his nose caught a whiff of smoke, he slowed and approached more cautiously.
In the light of a campfire, he saw five men surrounding his thrashing wife. There were hands all over her body. Holding her arms, her shoulders, her mouth. One set of hands was pushing up her dress as another hand yanked at her ankle.
What happened next was lost to time. Cam heard a battle cry leave his throat, louder than he’d ever sounded in his life.
Moments later, five men lay dead at his feet, their blood dripping from his sword and hands.
Mari threw herself at him, and he dropped his sword so he could hold her.
“Did they—” He could barely choke out those two words. He couldn’t bring the rest of the sentence to his lips.
“No. They didn’t have the chance, thanks to you.”
“Thanks to me?” He laughed bitterly. “Thanks to me? I left you to walk back to the castle by yourself. This is my fault. What kind of husband sets his wife off in the dark alone, knowing she’s upset?”
He’d thought the death of his parents was the deepest pain imaginable, but this…
The weight of his guilt was staggering. He dropped to his knees, clinging to Mari’s waist, begging for forgiveness.
…
Mari swayed into Cameron’s grasping arms and held him as best she could. In the dying firelight, she could see the wetness of blood in his hair. His face and skin were covered.
It was no surprise; she’d seen the vehemence of his attack. Like an avenging angel he’d rushed to her aid, slaying the demons who’d planned her harm. They hadn’t so much as pulled a dirk in defense of his wrath. She shivered as she glanced down at them. Sightless eyes stared at her, reminding her of the night she’d killed the duke—the blood on her hands. The blood everywhere.
She crumbled into Cameron’s strong arms. When her eyes fluttered open a few moments later, she was looking up. Cameron hovered above her, and stars filled in behind him.
He dropped a tender kiss on her lips. “Are ye all right?”
She nodded, feeling the heat of embarrassment on her cheeks. She’d fainted after the danger was past. He must think her weak.
She tried to get up, but he stayed her for a moment.
“I’m sorry about before. It wasna you I was angry with, but myself. Can ye forgive me, Mari?”
“You’re forgiven.” In her eyes, there was nothing to forgive. He had been trying to protect them from themselves.
“I’m so glad they weren’t able to hurt you.” He pulled her close and held her for what felt like an hour. His strength made her feel safe, but this wasn’t the place to tarry.
The coppery smell of blood filled the area, and she recoiled again. “The blood,” she whispered.
He nodded in understanding. “Let’s wash in the creek.”
When he helped her to her feet, she kept her gaze away from the bodies and parts of bodies that littered the ground. She noticed the place at the edge of the light that was now empty.
“The girl.” She pointed to the spot where she’d been lying bound and gagged.
“What girl?” he asked, looking around in a circle.
Mari forced herself to inspect the bodies, expecting to see the girl among the wreckage of her husband’s fury. But she wasn’t there.
Placing his finger to his lips, Cam bade her be quiet. They stood still, but the only sound was the sizzle and pops of the dwindling fire.
Then they heard it at the same time—something moving in the bushes. Drawing his dirk, Cam moved slowly toward the dark edge of the circle.
Mari lit a branch and followed him. There, only a few feet from where she’d been, the girl rolled and twisted in an effort to get away from them.
The girl—she looked no older than sixteen—had dark eyes which seemed black as they widened in alarm.
Mari quickly soothed away her fears. “It’s all right. We won’t hurt you. Please let us help.”
Cam sheathed his weapon and reached for her. The girl’s mumbled scream tore at Mari’s heart. He ignored her struggling and pulled her to her feet. He steadied her when she leaped away and stumbled.
Mari came closer and removed the cloth from her mouth. “What’s your name?” she asked as she took Cam’s dirk to remove the bindings around the girl’s wrists. The ugly marks beneath the cloth spoke of the length of time they’d been there.
“Evelyn,” the girl answered in a cracking voice.
“What clan are you from?” Cam asked. His tone, though calm, caused Evelyn to flinch.
She didn’t answer. Tears welled in her eyes, and she began to sob against Mari. The girl was filthy…and
