Page 88 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander

But the girl’s tears wouldn’t stop, so she climbed into the space beside her.

“I love ye,” she murmured as she pulled her close. “I loved ye the moment I laid eyes on ye. Ye were this wee thing in me arms, and the smile yer maither gave me when she handed ye over to me… I’ll take that wit’ me to me grave.”

“I dinnae want ye to go,” Melody cried as she turned to snuggle into Astrid’s arms.

The child rocked in her arms as she wept. The sniffling and heartache were almost enough to break Astrid’s resolve. But thinking of Olivia with Laird Chalium, and all the vile things he was certainly doing to her, was enough to keep Astrid set on her task.

“I ken,” she whispered. “But I have to. Nay one should pay the price for me mistakes.”

She stroked Melody’s hair and listened as the child cried herself to sleep. Only when she was certain that she could shift without disturbing Melody did she attempt to slip out of bed.

Her legs felt wobbly and numb from staying in one position for so long.

Astrid moved around the room, trying to regain the feeling in her legs when she noticed a shadow lurking on the balcony.

Of course, Thomas would be listening in on her conversation with Melody. But how much he heard was an entirely different story.

Swallowing hard, Astrid moved to the balcony door and stepped out into the night air. The icy embrace was a stark contrast to the warmth of her room. She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the cold.

Thomas stepped toward her and draped his cloak over her shoulders, and instantly the chill was gone.

“Here,” he said as she pulled in a deep breath.

She wished she could bottle up his scent and keep it with her forever. She loved the fact that his cloak still retained some of his warmth.

“Thank ye,” she said, snuggling into the cloak. She flashed him a sleepy smile as she noticed the worry etched on his brow. “If ye think ye can change me mind, ye cannae.”

“I ken,” he answered as he rubbed her arms to warm her. “And I have nay intention of wastin’ me breath on that. I can see that ye’ve made up yer mind.”

“Aye, I have.”

“And so have I,” Thomas said as he lunged for her.

Astrid squealed as the world spun around and she found herself hanging over his shoulder.

“What are ye doin’? Put me down,” she grumbled as he carried her into his chambers.

“I’ll nae let ye go so easily, lass. I’ve told ye, ye’re mine, and I’ll do wit’ ye as I please.”

“Is that so?” Astrid asked as he threw her on the bed.

She landed hard and turned swiftly before he could tackle her to the mattress.

“Aye, it is. Ye married me. We made our vows.”

“It was a marriage of convenience.”

“And I failed ye, lass. I’m sorry. I swore to ye that I’d keep ye safe, and ye want me to let ye just waltz out of the castle… It willnae happen.”

“So, ye’re detainin’ me?”

“Aye,” Thomas said.

The playful gleam in his eyes made Astrid forget her woes. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

“I’d like to see ye try,” she challenged as she darted toward the door that connected their rooms.

Thomas wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and carried her back to the bed. He ripped her shift off her body, exposing her nakedness to him.