Page 19 of Highlander the Conqueror

Wondering if she should ask when the answer seemed obvious, but needing to know for sure, she asked, “Will you command me with your every word?”

“Will it be necessary?”

“You’re giving me a choice?” she asked leerily.

He remained standing and she wished he would sit, his imposing size alone making her anxious.

“You have a choice, Sky.”

“I did not have a choice to become your wife,” she argued.

“Nor did I have a choice to become your husband.”

“So, this marriage was forced on us both?” she asked, not having given thought that he might be just as displeased with their marriage.

“Duty was forced on us,” he said as though it explained it all.

“Please, could you sit,” she said, pointing to the bench opposite her at the table, feeling far too vulnerable with the way the breath and width of him consumed the room. “And explain how it is that I became your wife when it was your brother I was to wed.”

Slayer was prepared for tears and demands like many women when things did not go their way. But Sky spoke softly with him even though her hands trembled slightly, and fear lit her eyes, turning the two different colors bolder.

He sat. “Warrand died before the marriage arrangement could be completed, my father was already showing signs of illness and, fearing for the future of the clan, he put my name on the marriage document.”

“So, my da knew nothing about the change in the marriage agreement?”

“Aye. He knew nothing. His sole purpose in seeing you wed was to make certain you were protected and kept safe. The heart of the marriage document remained the same. You would have what your father so desperately wanted for you with me as your husband. My father made sure I understood the reason for the marriage and that I would honor the agreement. I will protect you, see you kept safe, allow no harm to befall you, of that you have no worries. Since I honor the agreement, I see no reason why your father would object to it.”

She could not argue with what obviously made sense, but still… “I would like to speak with my da about this before the marriage is sealed.”

“That is not possible. I do not have to remind you that it is presently not safe for you to travel to Clan Murdock, and your father is ill and cannot travel here.”

Fear raced through Sky, turning her skin to gooseflesh. “My da is ill? What happened? What troubles him?”

“It is my understanding that your sister Elsie is taking good care of him and there is presently no need for concern. I would advise you to allow him time to rest and grow strong before you deliver any unsettling news.”

She feared for her da’s well-being but knew Elsie would take good care of him. It also gave her a good reason to wait to seal their vows. “Then until I can confirm that my father does not object to our union, we will wait to consummate our vows.”

“Nay, we will not. The marriage document is valid as is the marriage itself. It matters not that it is my brother or me who you wed as long as you are provided with what your father demanded… that you are kept protected and safe. You have seen for yourself that the agreement is being honored. We are husband and wife. Do your wifely duties, bear me bairns, and you will be treated well.”

Sky did not know what to say and from what he said, she truly had no say in the matter. The marriage contract had been met as stated and was valid. And if her da had wed her to keep her safe then he would not object to the marriage.

“Think wisely on this, Sky. Wed to me, you would never have to worry about how people treat you again. No one would dare treat you poorly being my wife or dare think of harming you. You will be safe and on that I pledge my word to you.”

Could he be right? Could this be a wise choice for her? He was a powerful and respected noble, and a Gallowglass warrior feared and awed by most. No one would dare do her harm and chance his wrath.

“Elsie is wed, and you should know that your father secured a marriage for Leora as well. Both will have their own families. Do you not want a family of your own?” he asked his own question, giving him pause to think about it himself. He had not given much thought to having a family but now that he ruled the clan, it was his responsibility to produce heirs and secure the clan’s future. And the thought of having bairns with Sky surprisingly appealed to him.

News that Leora was wed as well did not shock her. If her da had secured marriages for her and Elsie, it would make sense he would do the same for Leora. Sky never expected to have children since she never expected to wed. She had looked forward to her sisters making her an aunt so she could not only indulge the little ones but satisfy her own need for bairns she would never have. Marriage to Slayer would give her a chance to have her own home and bairns. It could be a viable choice, a sensible one, but did she have the courage to make it so?

He could see she was giving it thought as was he. The marriage was secured. There was no changing that and he would see it sealed with the consummation of their vows. Neither of them had a choice. Fate had settled it for them. Besides, something inside him urged him not to lose her, to keep her close, to talk with her and enjoy her gentle voice and her kind nature.

“I suppose our marriage could prove sensible,” she said while still considering it.

“Yet something gives you pause. I can see it in your scrunched brow.” He reached across the table and gently stroked her brow to chase away the deep lines.

An ease settled over her as though his touch held the magic to dispel her worries. Or was it simply that he noticed and tempted to vanquish them? But then he was a warrior, a conqueror who vanquished his enemies, so how difficult would it be for him to dispel her worries when he was the one truly in command?

“There is something I need to know, and I need you to be honest with me about it,” she said.

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