Page 91 of Love Me Forever

Ale started flowing, music playing, and people singing—the celebration had begun. The last of well-wishers drifted off to join in the fun, leaving the newlywed couple to finally have a moment alone with family.

Ian and Moira and Anne and Blair stood by the couple talking, their voices rose so they could be heard over the merriment.

Then suddenly the joyous voices faded until only murmurs were heard, and all eyes centered on a lone figure that entered the great hall. A dark hooded cloak covered his features, and he appeared a shadow in the bright hall.

He moved with steady strides and confidence.

A chill raced over Brianna, and she moved closer to Royce as though seeking his protection and not understanding why she needed it until the figure came to a stop before them and threw back the hood.

Brianna’s eyes widened in shock and her body began to tremble.

“Hello, dear wife, I have missed you.”

CHAPTER25

“Arran,” Brianna said, addressing her husband she had believed dead.

Her husband.

With Arran alive that meant her marriage to Royce was not binding. She remained Arran’s wife though she carried another man’s child. She instinctively covered her stomach with her hand as if protecting her unborn bairn.

Royce wrapped a protective arm around his wife’s waist and drew her tightly against his side. His actions made his intentions clear. Brianna belonged to him, and no one would take her from him.

“I missed the ceremony,” Arran said, and his voice turned stern. “I am sorry, I could have saved you time since you already belong to me.”

Ian stepped forward before anyone could respond, and Blair moved up alongside him. Ian held his temper, though his tone warned that his anger sat close to the surface. “Why have you returned when you know you will be made to pay for your crimes?”

Arran threw his hands wide in a gesture of surrender. “I was blinded by greed and power and had foolishly ignored what was most important, my wife and the clan.”

Brianna grew nauseated, for she knew her husband well, and he was being deceptively charming, the first step in convincing every one of his innocence.

“I ask forgiveness for my ignorance. I did not think wisely, I thought selfishly. I know I should not be given another chance. I know that my crimes deserve imprisonment or death, but I ask for mercy from you, Ian, and I ask for a chance to make amends. If you cannot grant me this, then I ask that I may be imprisoned here within the keep so that I may at least make amends to my wife.”

The hall remained silent, and all waited. Waited for Ian’s response and waited to see what the legendary warrior would do.

“You do not deserve my sister,” Ian said, folding his arms across his chest and tucking his fists out of sight, fearing he would raise his hand to Arran.

“True, I have been cruel to her in the past, I will not deny that,” Arran said, sighing as if regretful. “But this time away from her and the clan made me realize my own selfishness and the consequences of being so selfish. Not a day has gone by that I have not regretted my actions.

If only I could go back and change the past, I would, but I cannot. I can only repent and tell you that whatever fate you decide for me, I will accept, for I know I deserve punishment.”

Moira spoke up, to no one’s surprise. “You have lied before, you do again.”

A chorus of agreements filled the room, but the unanimous opinion did not dissuade Arran. “I understand your doubt, especially you, Moira, for I had thought you in the way, and I foolishly attempted to remove you.”

Ian stepped toward him. “For that alone I should kill you.”

“I would feel the same if I were you,” Arran said, sounding sympathetic. “But I beg you to consider your sister. I love her and wish to do right by her. I want to make her happy. I want her to forgive me and see that I am the loving man she once thought I was.”

Royce could remain silent no longer. “Brianna no longer belongs to you. She is mine.”

Arran spoke with patience. “I understand how you must feel, and it is good to know that someone of your strength and power would look after my wife. But she is my wife and will remain my wife; therefore, she cannot belong to you.”

Royce was adamant, his powerful voice causing many to cringe. “She is my wife, she belongs to me, and—she carries my child.”

Arran’s face grew bright red and his eyes settled on Brianna with a fury that sent a chill through her.

Her old fears surfaced, though she allowed no one to know. She remained standing beside Royce with her head high, for she was proud that she carried Royce’s child and she wished everyone to know.