Page 97 of Love Me Forever

They approached the area where his men camped, and they were all mounted and ready to take their leave. Royce wasted no time, he handed Brianna to one of his men, mounted his mare, and she was handed up to him.

He placed her securely across his lap, wrapping his fur-lined cloak around her and grabbing the reins. “Sleep,” he ordered. “We ride most of the night.”

“You cannot do this.” She attempted once more to convince him that this was not right.

“I can and I have,” he said, directing his horse away from the village, his men following.

She suddenly realized the quiet that surrounded them: not a horse whined, not a man spoke, not a sound stirred except for the winter wind. She was astounded by the group’s ability to remain silent when there were so many.

They truly were remarkable warriors.

Her voice was soft and could be heard by none but Royce. “My brother will not like this.”

“He will understand and possibly be relieved.”

“Why? Why do you do this when you know it will solve nothing?”

“I will see you suffer no more. Now rest, we have a long journey.”

How could she rest when this was not what she wanted? Running from the problem was no way to solve it.

“Why do you not give me a choice now when you have always given me one?”

He needed no time to answer. “Your choice would be made out of duty and would not be a wise one.”

“Is it not for me to decide, wise or not?”

His hand moved to her stomach. “Not with my child nestled inside you. I have a right to decide my child’s fate.”

“My brother would have handled this well?—”

“In time,” Royce said. “I do not wish to wait. We belong together. I wish to watch you grow round with my child, I wish to be there when our babe is born and know that you and he are well. And while I agree with your brother that it is only a matter of time before Arran does something stupid, I do not want to wait an hour, a day, a week, or a month.”

The fur slipped from her shoulder, and the cold wind raced across her. She shivered and snuggled against his warmth. He adjusted the fur around her, tucking the end under his arm so that he could keep the cold away from her.

He favored the feel of her nestled against him. It was where she belonged and where she would remain. He would allow no one to take her away from him. He would kill for her, and he would die for her if necessary. His love for her was that strong, and he was that committed to a life with her.

Since she did not respond he asked, “Are you angry with me?”

‘Truthfully, I cannot be, for I feel the same as you. I do not wish to be apart from you, and I wish you beside me when our babe breathes his first breath.” She paused, reluctant to continue but knowing she must. “I have a duty whether you or I like it or not. And now my brother will be left to deal with the consequences of actions that were not of my choosing.”

“Your brother is a brave and skillful leader.”

“Where was my bravery in running away?”

“You did not run away; I abducted you.”

Her yawn irritated her. She was tired and wished to continue this debate, but she felt sleep creep over her, and she knew that soon her eyes would close no matter how hard she tried to keep them open.

“We can talk of this later. You need to rest.”

“This was not right, Royce.” Her voice sounded as drowsy as she felt.

“Feel as you must, for I did what was necessary.” He was not sorry; he was firm in his convictions, and no one would make him feel otherwise. He loved her and he would love her forever.

Brianna fell asleep with all intentions of continuing this discussion at a more appropriate time. That time was longer than she had imagined.

The journey was not an easy one, at least for Brianna.