Page 45 of Love Me Forever

“You do not mind defeat, then?” she asked with a serious tone, though there was a twinkle in her eyes. His grin portrayed his confidence. “I have known only victory.”

“Then prepare for your first defeat,” she challenged with her own confidence.

His laugh was hardy and he threw his arms wide. “Do I look as though you can defeat me?”

She looked him over and with an arrogant confidence wiggled her pinky in front of his face.

He smiled and shook his head in disbelief. “Are you brave or foolish?”

“Foolishly brave.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “I love you.”

Her heart skipped several beats and she sighed. “I still cannot believe that I have fallen so very much in love with you.”

“It was my good looks that won you.”

She laughed this time. “Aye, your looks certainly captured me when first we met.”

He leaned his forehead to hers. “And now do my looks capture you?”

She brushed his lips with hers and cupped his cheek with her hand. “Aye, you are my handsome hero.”

“Hero? I am your hero?” He looked startled.

She seemed as surprised as he. “Why would you not be my hero? You rescued me from death and tended me back to health with a tender hand and heart. You are a true hero.”

He appeared to drift off in thought as he spoke. “Heroes often spill blood.”

She knew his thoughts were elsewhere in a place that brought him pain. She wished to ease his suffering.

“Come walk with me.”

He did so, taking her hand in his as they strolled slowly away from the cottage.

Silence followed their trail, their leather boots leaving imprints in the snow that remained on the ground. It had been a week since the last snow, which had been but a sprinkling, and the ground had remained untouched except for their recent footprints. They walked on the carpet of white hand in hand.

“I have spilled much blood, Brianna,” Royce said, feeling she was owed some truth about him.

“You are a warrior; like most it could not be helped.”

“I will spill more. The Highlands are in turmoil and the fighting will continue until we are left in peace.”

She feared the fighting would never end, for those who led would always be hungry for more power and wealth.

“I wonder if peace will ever be found for the Highlands.”

“We will not know if we do not try, and if I do not try, my children will also bear arms, and I would prefer them to live in peace.”

She stopped abruptly and looked up at him with round sad eyes. “I cannot give you children. You know this.”

It seemed not to bother him. He simply said, “We will see.

She remained insistent. “Nay, Royce, I can bear you no sons or daughters.”

His badly bruised and battered eye was healing nicely, and she could now see the vibrant darkness in both his eyes. And she could understand how the intense dark color could intimidate.

“My seed is potent.”