Page 20 of His Runaway Bride
"And send riders ahead to the keep," Ewan continued."I want the gates secured and the watch doubled.No one enters or leaves without my personal permission."
Grant and Patrick exchanged glances at their laird's intensity, but they moved quickly to follow his orders.They had never seen Ewan like this, the controlled, charismatic leader replaced by a man whose protective instincts had been unleashed.
"Husband," Lileas said quietly, placing her hand over his."We're safe now.The Fergusons are gone."
"For now," he replied grimly, his eyes still scanning the horizon."But they'll be back, Lil.And next time they'll come with more men, better planning.They made it clear they want ye specifically."
"Then we'll be ready for them," she said firmly.
Ewan's expression softened slightly as he looked at her, but the underlying tension remained."Aye.But not like this, caught in the open.Once we're behind the walls of the keep, I can better protect ye."
As they prepared to resume their journey, now with a full escort of Cameron's men, Ewan continued issuing orders with military precision.The relaxed, tender husband of the past three nights had been replaced by a Highland chief who saw enemies in every shadow.
"Laird," Cameron said carefully as they mounted their horses, "a warning.Yer brother Connor will need to be briefed.He has not been in the best mood of late."
"Connor will do as I command," Ewan cut him off."The keep will be locked down completely.No one travels alone, especially the women.Especially my wife."
Lileas made to fetch her mare, but Ewan pulled her once again to his side."Ye ride with me from now on, wife."No sooner were those words spoken than Lileas was hoisted onto his destrier.Ewan sat behind her and pulled her back against his front, holding the reins and keeping her firmly in place before he commanded them all to ride.
The journey to MacNeil Keep passed in tense silence, with Ewan constantly scanning their surroundings as his men fanned out, forming a protective barrier on all sides to protect Lileas.Every shadow was a potential threat, every movement in the distance a possible enemy.
As the massive walls of MacNeil Keep finally came into view, Lileas felt Ewan relax slightly behind her.Soon they would be behind walls that could withstand a siege, surrounded by his own men, in the heart of MacNeil power.
But she also realized that this ordeal had changed something fundamental between them.The gentle courtship of their journey was over, replaced by a bond forged in danger and tested by fire.They were no longer just husband and wife by arrangement—they were partners who had fought for each other, who had proven their willingness to risk everything to protect what they were building together.
As the keep's gates came into view, Lileas suspected that the real test of their marriage was just beginning.
***
Chapter 9: MacNeil Land
MacNeil Castle rosebefore them like a mountain of hewn stone, its massive walls and towers speaking of warfare and the need for constant vigilance.As they approached the gates, Lileas could see armed men on the walls, their weapons gleaming in the afternoon sun.
The gates stood wide open, and there was an unusual amount of activity in the courtyard.Word of their arrival seemed to have preceded them, and people were streaming out of various buildings to catch sight of their returning laird.
"Looks like word of the attack has reached them," Grant observed, noting the excited buzz of conversation that rose from the assembled crowd.
