Page 56 of A Bride for the Icy Highlander
Abigail.
His blood ran cold, and his legs moved before his thoughts could catch up. He sprinted, leaping over roots and ducking beneath branches, his heart thudding hard against his ribs. Another shout came, followed by a cry from Peyton.
He burst into the small clearing, his sword half drawn, his breathing ragged.
There, Abigail sat in the grass, holding her arm, her cheeks flushed from a fall. Peyton was kneeling beside her, murmuring soft reassurances as she helped brush dirt from her dress.
Kian’s gaze swept over her quickly, checking for blood, broken bones—any sign of injury. His heart pounded harder than it should have.
“What in God’s name are the two of ye doin’ out here alone?” he barked, stalking toward them.
Peyton lifted her chin, ever calm. “We were only walking. The lass tripped on a root.”
Abigail flushed deeper, lowering her gaze as she tried to rise to her feet. “It’s nothin’. I only lost me balance.”
Kian stepped forward, catching her elbow firmly. “The forest’s nae a place for a lass like ye to be wanderin’ about. Did ye think I wouldnae have found out?”
Abigail’s eyebrows knitted together. “I was with Peyton. She said it was safe.”
“I was keepin’ watch,” Peyton added, her tone gentle but pointed. “The lass is hardly runnin’ wild.”
Kian grunted, ignoring them both as he scooped Abigail up into his arms.
She gasped, immediately pushing against his chest. “Put me down! I can walk!”
He growled. “I’ll nae risk ye fallin’ again.”
She huffed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as he carried her. “This is wrong. I dinnae need coddling. I’ve got legs of me own.”
Kian didn’t reply. He only tightened his arms around her and strode toward the castle, not caring that a few people paused to stare.
Peyton followed quietly behind, her expression unreadable. “I truly meant nay harm, Cousin,” she said softly. “I take full responsibility.”
“I ken ye meant well,” Kian assured, his voice softening slightly. “But next time, ask before leadin’ her beyond the walls.”
Abigail tensed in his arms again. “He’s nae angry because ye led me to the forest,” she snapped. “He’s angry because he cannae control every step I take.”
Kian’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t reply.
At last, they reached the castle gates, the guards standing aside without question.
He carried her up the steps, into the main hall, and directly to her chambers. Her blush deepened with every step.
“Ye can let me down now,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
Kian kicked her door open and entered without pause. Gently, he set her down on the edge of her bed, but he didn’t step back right away.
His gaze met hers, intense and unreadable. “Do ye think I carried ye for show?” he asked quietly. “That I rushed after ye for the pleasure of bein’ seen?”
Abigail’s breath caught. She couldn’t find her voice, not with his gaze pinning her to the spot.
“I’ll do whatever I must to keep ye safe,” Kian continued, his voice low. “Even if ye hate me for it.”
He took a step back, exhaling as though her silence were a dagger to his gut.
“I’ll send Helena over to see if ye need healing.”
And then he turned and left, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud.
