Page 37 of Taken by the Ruthless Highlander (Taken by Highland Devils #6)
EPILOGUE
T he light from the torches flickered and danced along the path before Morgana and Ryder, causing their shadows to merge and shift into one dark shadow stretching across the land.
Morgana couldn’t help but smile as she realized that was precisely how she saw herself with him. They had come together, faced trials and tribulations that they never thought they could prevail over. And yet there they were, strolling down the main street of Lochcairn in the twilight.
“I really love the way this town looks this time of year,” Feya said with a sigh that reached Morgana’s ears.
Morgana glanced at Ryder. His eyes narrowed as he shook his head. The warning in his gaze made her want to laugh. She pressed her lips into a tight line and squeezed his arm a bit harder.
“Aye, there is somethin’ about the evenin’ that makes this place feel different,” Tormod chimed in, then pointed to the stall of smoked meat. “And what is that smell?”
“That’s the best smoked lamb leg ye’ll ever taste,” Ryder answered. “And I promise ye, ye’ll never grow weary of eatin’ it.”
“Ye speak as if ye’ve lived off the stuff before,” Feya said over her shoulder.
She flashed a wink at Morgana, before turning her attention back to the street.
“Aye,” Ryder uttered, his tone dropping just enough for Morgana to grow concerned.
When she looked at him, he shook his head as if to tell her that all was well.
But if there was one thing Morgana had learned over the past few weeks, it was the fact that Ryder was skilled at everything but lying. It was the line around his left eyebrow that gave him away.
But she wasn’t about to press the issue as they all turned the corner.
“Ye forget, Ryder had been banished for a spell,” she spoke up as she rubbed her hand over his chest. Her heart skipped every time she felt his heart thumping against the palm of her hand.
Ryder paused and stared at the small cottage on the edge of Lochcairn.
“And ye were just a villager in the right place at the right time…” Feya trailed off. “What’s goin’ on? Is everythin’ all right?”
Morgana pressed her lips into a tight line, trying to hold back the glee swelling within her.
“Are we nae goin’ back to the castle?” Tormod asked, looking to Feya for an answer.
They shared the same puzzled look before moving back to Morgana and Ryder.
“We are,” Morgana answered as she stood proudly next to her husband. “But ye’re stayin’ here.”
“What?” Feya gasped.
Morgana saw the spark of hope in her sister’s eyes. It was clear she was ecstatic by the idea.
Ryder nodded his head toward the cottage and flashed Tormod a smirk. “This is yer place now,” he explained. “I bought it off the old herbalist. So, dinnae be surprised if it smells a bit earthy in there.”
“I cannae believe it.” Feya threw her arms around Morgana’s neck. “I cannae thank ye enough.”
“Well, there are a few stipulations to live here,” Morgana said, pulling her sister back. “First, ye’ll have to pay Ryder rent. It doesnae have to be much.”
“A tenth of yer earnings. Whatever it is. And if it is less than ten shillings, then that month ye’ll just have to make calls to the castle,” Ryder chimed in.
Morgana’s heart swelled with joy. She never thought she would end up with a man as caring and understanding as Ryder. Her family had become his, and the fact that he was willing to help them get the place to begin with was more than a dream come true.
“I can do that,” Feya answered, beaming.
“We just thought that ye’d want someplace where ye could move freely,” Morgana said. “In the castle, ye’d have the guards to contend with, and we ken that ye’re both too old to be under my thumb.”
“Ye sound as if ye’re kickin’ us out for good,” Feya said.
“Never,” Morgana declared with such conviction that she could see the relief in her sister’s gaze. “Ye’ll always be welcome at the castle and any part around here. We’re family. As for Tormod, he needs to see what the world has to offer while keepin’ an eye on ye. Family sticks together, aye?”
“Aye,” Feya and Tormod answered in unison as they pulled Morgana and Ryder into a group hug.
“We cannae thank ye both enough, truly,” Tormod said as Ryder handed him the key to the cottage.
“Just be sure to keep an eye on each other,” Ryder reminded him. “And dinnae be strangers.”
“Did ye want to come in and see the place?” Feya asked as she darted for the door.
Morgana shook her head. “Nay. I would like to get back to the castle. I’m tired.”
“Are ye well?” Ryder asked, cupping her face in his hand. He studied her as if he could read what exactly ailed her.
“I’m fine, just tired,” Morgana said, flashing Feya a smile.
Feya winked, and before Ryder could turn his attention to her, she skipped into the cottage along with Tormod.
“I think they liked the place,” Morgana murmured.
She rose on the tips of her toes and planted a kiss on Ryder’s cheek.
“Aye, I can remember the feeling of steppin’ into my own place,” he said, a hint of pride lacing his voice.
“Ye miss those days,” Morgana noted as they moved around the cottage to collect their horse.
Morgana peeked into the window, stealing a glimpse of her siblings. The smiles on their faces were more than enough to make her heart overflow with gratitude.
“Aye, I suppose I regret the fact that I cannae go back to such times,” Ryder confessed. “But what I have now far outweighs anythin’ I had back then. But ye cannae say that ye dinnae miss the freedom a wee bit. Or have ye forgotten yer roots?”
“I couldnae even if I wanted to,” Morgana said with a smile as he lifted her into the saddle and then mounted behind her. “But I can tell ye that I never enjoyed havin’ to fend off intruders or beat away men who were tryin’ to harm Feya or the twins. It’s different for a woman.”
“Aye,” Ryder whispered, his hot breath tickling her ear. “And I swear ye’ll never have to deal with that again. I willnae allow anythin’ to harm ye.”
“I ken.” Morgana leaned back against him, feeling his manhood against her back. “I just cannae believe ye bought that cottage for them.”
“Is that really what is on yer mind right now?” Ryder growled as the horse meandered down the narrow path back to the castle.
“Well, I just dinnae understand why ye would do such a thing when there’s more than enough room in the castle…” Morgana trailed off.
His hot breath fanned her neck, causing goosebumps to rise over her skin.
“I doubt there will be room in the future,” Ryder purred.
Morgana could not help but quiver. She could just picture the playful smirk tugging on the corners of his lips.
“Oh?” she teased, wiggling her hips tauntingly.
“Ye wanted bairns, I’ll give ye bairns. Enough to fill the castle.” Ryder nipped her earlobe.
She grabbed the reins and pulled them, stopping the horse.
“And just want do ye think ye’re doin’?”
“Callin’ yer bluff,” Morgana said, wiggling under his arm.
Ryder didn’t protest but let her slip down from the saddle. She dropped to the ground and turned abruptly.
Sure enough, that smirk was plastered on his face.
“Is that so?” Ryder jumped down from the horse, landing before her. “And what makes ye think I’m bluffin’? Come here.”
Morgana’s laughter filled the grove and startled the horse. Ryder tethered it as she took for the trees.
“And just where do ye think ye’re goin’? Ye cannae run from me.”
“Who said I was runnin’?” Morgana quipped as she tugged at the laces of her corset and tossed them at him.
“Ye shouldnae tempt me,” Ryder growled, taking off his shirt. “Wife.”
“Then come get me, husband.”
The End?