Page 116 of Love Me Forever

‘Tell me,” he said, caressing the curve of her back.

She waited a moment more before answering. “I feel most protected when you are with me, and yet I know that it is not possible for you to always be by my side.”

“You think Arran will come out of the shadows when I am not with you?”

She nodded. “It is his way. These things he did tonight are but diversion. Be sure that he has other plans, for he intends to have his way.”

“Diversions to take me away from you.”

“Aye, then I am alone and vulnerable.”

“There are guards.”

“I know, but somehow he will find a way past them.”

Royce shook his head. “Never.”

“You said the magic word.” She laughed softly. “I once said never, and Arran showed me how wrong I was.”

Royce tensed, hearing the hurt in her voice. “This time I will show him that he is wrong.”

He hugged her to him, and she settled in his arms after he reached to pull the blanket over them.

“I am glad that Moira will be here when you give birth.”

“You attempt to change the subject and divert my worried thoughts,” she said, snuggling her face against his chest.

“Aye, I do but I am honest when I say that I am glad Moira will be with you. I do not like to think of you in pain.”

She laughed. “Birthing a babe is painful; it cannot be helped.”

Royce grimaced. “I do not want you to suffer.”

“You should have considered that before making love to me.”

“You told me you could not bear a child.”

Her hand went to her stomach. “I thought I could not. Wed four years, I had expected to conceive a child, and when the years passed and I produced no heir, Arran told me that I was barren. I believed him.”

“He is the one—he is unable to father a child.”

“Which probably infuriates him, for it makes him appear less of a man.”

“He is less of a man,” Royce said.

She shivered and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

“What suddenly troubles you?”

“The babe, I had not thought—” She stopped as though fearful to speak her thoughts.

He suddenly realized what caused her fright. “You think he would harm the babe?”

“If by chance he captured me and demanded ransom, he would need to return me before coins exchange hands, but that does not mean he would treat me well. And knowing I did not conceive a child with him but did with you would infuriate him to the point of rage. He might then strike out at me and purposely cause me to lose the child.”

His hand instantly went to rest upon her stomach. “No one will hurt the babe and no one will hurt you. Do not worry.”

“For myself I do not, but how do I protect the babe if necessary?”