“Methinks marriage has made my brother soft,” Alaric replied. “ ’Tis a shame when a puny lass has to save his arse.”

“Caelen?” “Aye, lass?” “You were right.” “What was I right about?”“Kissing. ’Tis a most wondrous thing.” She could sense his smile.”

“I love you,” he said fiercely. “ ’Tis not true that I kept a part of my heart locked away from you. You own all of it, lass. You’ve always owned it. I didn’t give it to you. You took it from the very start.”

“You aren’t going anywhere, lass.”

“His eyes narrowed. “First, the marriagewill take place. Just as soon as you’ve regained your senses and realize that tis the only sensible option left to you.”When she would have opened her mouthto dispute his assertion, he shocked her by clamping his hand over her mouth.“You will be silent and allow me to finish. I have doubts that you’ve ever been able to hold your silence for more than a moment in your entire lifetime,” he grumbled.She huffed but his hand tightened on hermouth.“I can only assume that my son overheardme speaking to my men of our marriage. If you would have but cautioned him to hold his tongue, he would not have repeated it beyond his question to you. But now, you’ve announced our marriage to the entire clan.Some might even consider it a proposal. In which case, I accept.”He finished with a grin and then steppedback, releasing his hold on her mouth.“Why … you …,” she sputtered. She workedher mouth up and down but nothing wouldcome out.A cheer went up from the crowdassembled.“A wedding!”

“He kissed her temple, nuzzling her skin, and murmured again that she was the most beautiful lass in the world. They weren't just words he offered. Platitudes he didn't mean. He cared not about the scar that marred her face. In his eyes, she was the most beautiful lass he'd ever known and nothing would change that. Not a scar. Not circumstances. She was his, and he didn't give one damn what others thought.”

“Alaric grunted. “Someone should tell herthat. I’m telling you, Ewan, she said nothing.She stared at me like I was some kind oftoad. Worse, she had Crispen acting like Iwas the enemy. The two whispered like104/756conspirators and glared at me when I daredintervene.”