Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (Highland Legends, Book 1.5) by Kat Bastion Page B

foretold that their encounter promised to be an unpleasant one. Robert faced his laird in a relaxed wide stance with his back to the great hall.
    “What were you thinkin’?” Iain asked.
    “She needed refuge,” he replied.
    Iain crossed his arms over his chest, dropping his chin down, glaring at him from beneath his thick brows. “You’re not offerin’ the lass temporary refuge. You’ve claimed her.”
    “Aye, I have,” Robert replied.
    “Is she prepared for what that entails?” Iain asked.
    Robert snorted. “She’s not yet realized that I’ve claimed her. The rest will come in time.”
    “We doona have the luxury of time in our world. You know that, Robert. I’ve a clan to protect, and you’ve put them at great risk by bringin’ her here.”
    “I’ll settle the matter with her soon,” Robert offered.
    “Tonight. You’ll explain to a woman, whom Isobel tells me escaped from her castle and everythin’ she’s known, that she’s now a prisoner here. She needs to know she canna ever leave. You’ve sealed that fate for her. Tonight. ”
    A sound alerted them both, and Robert turned. Susanna stood a few feet away at the foot of the stairs with her hand over her mouth, her eyes widening. She turned and ran.
    “Or now...” Iain’s words drifted off as Robert tore after her.
    “Susanna!”
    Robert saw the deep scowl on her face, but Susanna fled, lifting her skirt into her clenched fists as she charged up the stairs. He jumped onto the third one from the side, taking the stone steps two at a time to catch her.
    By the time he hit the landing, she’d already sprinted down the entire hall and burst through her bedchamber door. Robert gave his legs everything they had and slid inside after her, crashing into the frame and the edge of the oak door right as she slammed it shut. The door sprung back and hit Susanna, throwing her backward onto the fur rug on the floor before it banged shut behind him.
    “Susanna!” He rushed to pull her up to make certain she wasn’t injured.
    She yanked her hand away from his outstretched one, remaining where she sat, the silk of her deep-ruby gown heaped around her. “Nay. I’ll not be kept prisoner here.”
    He lowered down onto his knees before her. “’Tis not like you imagine, Susanna.”
    “Oh? I’d be free to come and go as I pleased?” she asked.
    “Without question,” he said.
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “Even if I chose to leave forever?”
    He sighed. “Weel, not exactly. I hope in time, you’ll never want to leave.”
    The delicate woman came alive at the suggestion, leaning forward on her knees like a deadly snake ready to strike. “Those were the kind of words spoken to Mama. When Broc stole her away. He threatened her. Hurt her. Things she endured for the love of her family—for the love of me.”
    She pressed further forward, and Robert leaned back onto his heels for fear she’d actually bite.
    “Doona promise me the last thing I would want in this world.”
    Her nostrils flared and her chest heaved. His heart went out to her. She’d clearly lived a horrific life, and he only understood the tiny fragments she’d just shared in her fury.
    He sighed and pressed forward before she toppled onto him. She backed off by inches until they both knelt upright, almost touching, staring deep into each other’s eyes. He brushed a stray curl away from her flushed cheek and buried his fingers into her soft hair, gazing down at her.
    Hurt, fear, and hope all reflected back to him from eyes that grew glassy with tears. He inhaled slowly, calming the warrior within him longing to do battle for every wrong committed against the innocent, but very brave, woman before him. Instead, he focused on being the gentle man who desperately needed to soothe away the pain she held deep inside. “Susanna, know this, and listen to me carefully: no one will ever hurt you. I will do everythin’ within my power to protect you, even if it means dyin’ for you.