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“Take your hand off my wife, Slayer,” Noble warned, having hurried in behind her.

Slayer shoved Leora toward Noble. “Tell her to mind her tongue around me, Noble, or I will see you both put off my land.”

Noble took hold of his wife’s arm and pulled her against him. “Enough, Leora. Your angry tongue will not help Sky.”

“You assured me he would keep her safe,” Leora said, her lovely face flushed with anger. “The message said Sky was abducted, yet here you stand without her.” She threw her hands up in the air. “I doubt many here even care if she does return. What if she was treated so poorly while here that she prefers to remain with her abductors?” Leora shook her finger at Slayer. “Everyone knows you are a brutal warrior without an ounce of kindness to you. What harm have you brought upon my sister? What have you done to her?”

Slayer lurched forward and Noble quickly stepped back, pulling his wife along with him.

Slayer gritted his teeth as he spoke, fighting to contain his anger. “I have fallen in love with Sky.”

Not a sound was heard in the room as Noble and Leora stared in shock at Slayer.

“Hear me well, woman,” Slayer said, his eyes intent on Leora. “Sky is my wife and I love her, and she carries our bairn. I will not rest until I hold them both in my arms again. On that you have my word.”

“Bloody hell,” Noble said. “I didn’t think you were capable of love.”

Ross smiled. “He didn’t have a chance against Sky’s kind nature and her loving heart.”

“Are you saying my sister loves this savage in return and agreed to the marriage?” Leora asked, shocked at the thought.

“Sky had no choice in marrying me. It was done before I rescued her from the abbey. She wisely chose to accept the marriage and make the most of it. She chose to love me of her own accord, though I still cannot understand why but she does, and I am grateful for her love.”

“And you did not think to tell us this?” Leora asked, annoyed.

“I ordered the marriage kept secret, fearing it could place her in more danger than she was already facing. Ross and Euniss, the woman who runs the keep, are the only two who know about it.” Slayer pointed a finger at Leora. “And I expect you to hold your tongue until I say otherwise.”

“Is she happy with you?” Leora demanded to know.

“Very much, but I do not know how she can be and again I am grateful that she is.”

Tears clouded Leora’s eyes. “The message said she suffered a great fall. Do you know if she and the bairn are well?”

“An ankle injury, a scratch on her face, and, so far, the bairn remains safe inside her.”

Noble’s brow creased in question. “How do you know this?”

Slayer looked directly at Leora. “Sky chose to save me so that I could rescue her, and we both could live. She told me if our bairn was strong enough to survive the fall and fight to stay alive then we could do no less. Your sister is not only kind. She is courageous as well.”

“Aye, she is,” Leora said, her tears beginning to fall as she stepped forward and reached out to poke Slayer in the chest. “You better bring her home safe and sound.”

“I intend to and never, ever, poke me again, woman,” Slayer ordered.

Leora lifted her chin, not an ounce of fear in her eyes. “I will have your word as a Gallowglass warrior on that.”

“You have my word as a Gallowglass warrior, and you have my word from the man who loves your sister from the depths of his heart and soul that I will bring her home unharmed.” Without another word, Slayer left the room, Fane following at his side.

Leora looked at her husband. She need not say anything, Noble knew what she wanted.

“I will go with him and make sure he and Sky return home safely.”

She hugged him and went to tell him to stay safe when a horn sounded alerting the clan that an attack was imminent.

CHAPTER26

Sky was exhausted barely getting any sleep last night after they had finally stopped. Her body ached worse today than yesterday, though her ankle had not swollen any more than it already had. Not that it would be easy for her to run, if necessary, a thought that disturbed her.

What if she had no choice but to attempt an escape? How would she ever manage to run?