His eyes went soft and he gently rolled her so that she lay beside him on the bed. He fussed and rearranged the furs, making sure she was comfortable and without pain. How could she think of pain when the husband she thought lay dying was staring at her with love in his eyes?
“If I have my way, we’ll never be separated again,” he said. “God’s teeth, Rionna. You frightened at least a decade from my life. I was so worried for you and our babe.”
Rionna’s hand went automatically to her stomach, her expression panicked.
Caelen laid his hand over hers and she calmed. “Aye, our bairn is still there, wedged in his mother’s womb. I’ve no doubt that he or she is every bit the fierce warrior that their mother is.”
“Tell me what happened,” she said, as he turned on his side next to her. “So much is a blur. I don’t remember much of the battle. I was so terrified.”
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead as if he couldn’t bear not to touch her.
“You were magnificent. You saved me. ’Tis a fact I’ll not forget in this lifetime. You led our clan into battle. You were the fiercest warrior princess that ever was.”
She frowned and looked suspiciously up at him. “How came you by that term?”
He smiled. “Keeley told me of your childhood dreams. Aye, Rionna, you’re my warrior princess.”
Her heart melted and she sighed at the adoration in her warrior’s eyes.
“I’m ashamed that for so long I tried to mold you into someone else,” he said with a grimace. “But ’tis the truth, from the first day I saw you attired in those trews and a man’s tunic, wielding a sword as deftly as any warrior, I wanted you so badly I ached with it. I thought if I forced you to be something you were not, ’twould temper my fierce need for you.”
“Perhaps you recognized in me the mirror of yourself. Your other half,” she whispered.
“Aye, I did, but I fought it. But no more.”
“Then you’ll let me fight alongside you?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
He leaned down to kiss her. His breath stuttered out unevenly and it took him a moment to respond. “I’ll not lie. ’Tis my wish to forever keep you here and under my protection. I died a thousand deaths watching you in battle. Part of me was so proud. I wanted to shout to the world, Look at her! She is mine! The other part of me wanted to drag you as far from danger as I could and keep you from harm all the days of your life. I can only promise not to be so rigid in the future. I’ll not ever be accepting of anything that puts you in danger.”
She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. “ ’Tis enough you love me and accept what I am, faults and all.”
“I’ll love you well, lass. ’Tis one promise I can make and vow to keep. I’ll love you until I draw my last breath and beyond. You were made for me. I cannot imagine a more perfect mate.”
The door opened and Keeley stormed in, Gannon on her heels. Behind them, Alaric and Ewan crowded in.
“You’ve had long enough,” Keeley said. “ ’Tis time to return to your bed. You’re not well, Rionna.”
Caelen turned and smiled. “She’ll remain here where she belongs. Her fever has broken and I’ll be sure to keep the furs tight over the windows so no draft blows in.”
Ewan walked farther into the room and then came to stand over the bed where Rionna and Caelen lay.
“ ’Tis relieved I am to hear you’ve awakened, Rionna. For I would offer you my deepest gratitude before I return to Mairin and Isabel.”
Her brows knit together in confusion. Caelen chuckled softly.
“She doesn’t even realize all she has done. It would appear her sole aim was to save her husband’s worthless hide.”
“You have my thanks for saving my brother. He’s difficult and grumpy, but a more loyal man I’ll never find. He’s suffered for the sins of others for far too long.”
Rionna smiled as Ewan continued.
“And as much as I wanted the duty myself, I would also thank you for ridding the world of Duncan Cameron. I have it on good authority the king will bestow his gratitude on you personally. Without the support of Cameron, Malcolm’s rebellion is dead. He hasn’t the resources or the support to launch a bid for the throne. Indeed, the whole of the highlands is in your debt.”
“I wish I could say I thought of all that just before I thrust my sword through Cameron’s back, but ’tis the truth, my only aim was to prevent him from killing my husband,” she said ruefully.
The others laughed and Caelen squeezed her to him as he kissed her forehead. “You’ll rest now,” he murmured. “Here in my arms where I know you’re safe and I can watch over you and our babe.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “Aye. ’Tis where I want to be most.”
Never looking away from his wife or moving his lips from her temple, he raised his hand and waved the others away.
Keeley’s gaze was misty as she stared at the two entwined on the bed. Alaric chuckled softly and pulled her into his side.
Even Gannon and Ewan wore soft smiles as they tiptoed quietly from the room.
CHAPTER 35
“Ouch!” Rionna yelped when Mairin stuck another pin in her hair. She tried to rub at the spot, but Keeley grabbed her hand and forced it away from her hair.
“ ’Tis important you look perfect this day,” Mairin said.
“I don’t see why,” Rionna muttered. “If the king wanted to thank me, a private word would be sufficient. All this pomp makes me nervous.”