Page 26 of Tempting the Highland Devil
Wanting Yvaine was like drenching himself in the bottomless pit of desire and emotions that would only drive them both over the edge of insanity. He had watched it happen with his mother.
Even in the heat of his father’s madness, she had loved him endlessly and hoped he would one day recover his senses.
He had watched her cry herself to sleep every night they returned from battle, and days before they left. Arran could not forgive himself because he had contributed to that pain.
“I am sorry,” he apologized. “Ye need yer rest for the day ahead. It is a long one.”
Yvaine’s eyes showed the subtle haze of her confusion before he headed for the door.
The rest of the night Arran stayed at the feast then he left the castle, found himself a pub, and continued drowning himself in the bliss the ale offered even though he knew it would only last a while.
* * *
He showed up late for the first game by morning. Everyone had gathered outside of the castle to watch Duncan announce the start of the competition.
Arran saw Yvaine smiling at Niamh and Lily before he cleared his throat and took the seat at his friend’s side.
“Where have ye been?” Duncan asked, turning to him with a stern eye. “Did ye spend the night at…”
“Dinnae ask,” Arran interrupted before combing his fingers through his hair. He had cleaned up a bit before heading for the courtyard, but he could still smell the hint of ale in his breath.
He caught Yvaine looking at him. Her eyes flickered over his before her smile faded into a stony glare. Arran tried to ignore her and focus on the jousting competition.
Laird Loughty and another laird competed first.
When Laird Loughty glanced towards Yvaine and blew her a kiss, Arran looked at Yvaine, saw her beam, then wave at him.
His heart clenched hard, and he pretended to cough again.
“Laird Loughty seems to be the best of all these men,” Duncan said to Amelia. “Yvaine seems to like him a lot too.”
“She doesnae,” Arran cut-in, shocking himself and the others by his gruff response. “I mean…Yvaine shouldnae choose her husband based on what she feels alone. She must choose a man who will protect and care for her.”
“I dinnae see ye competin’ for her hand,” Amelia commented with a smile. “But ye ken a lot about what she needs.”
Arran knew she taunted him, and he could not let those words affect his decision to sit back and allow Yvaine to marry someone else.
No matter how much it hurts.It was a sacrifice he had to make to protect her.
“Arran wouldnae compete even if I gave him the chance to,” Duncan said to his wife. “He is intent on never marryin’ anyone.”
“Oh,” Amelia said, and chuckled again. “Then he must nay mind that Yvaine needs to choose the man who is not just strong and wealthy but also dear to her heart.”
The crowd gasped when Laird Loughty won against yet another contestant.
“He must win at least four of all the five games for him to be winner,” Duncan said to Amelia. “I think he might.”
Arran felt the prick return to his heart again as Laird Loughty beat laird after laird ’till he was the last man standing for the jousting games.
Arran’s fists were tightly clenched as Laird Loughty approached where Yvaine seated, bowed to her, then extended his hand. The crowd cheered on and on as Yvaine rose to her feet and placed her hand in his.
Arran shot up from his chair before Laird Loughty could kiss the front of her palm. “I shall join the games!” he yelled in his loudest voice and tossed a penny to the ground which indicated commitment to a competition.
Murmurs erupted in the crowd, but Arran ignored his friend’s shocked gaze and every voice of warning in his head.
“Laird Loughty, pick up the coin and joust with me,” Arran challenged as he marched into the courtyard heading for Yvaine and Laird Loughty.
“What are ye doin’?” Yvaine questioned when he got to her.
