Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night

33

Mari screamed as they hurtled closer and closer to the mountain. MacRieve had a one-handed grip on the railing so they went spinning in the air. She squeezed her eyes shut, her scream cut off by his painful hold around her growing even tighter.

This can't be happening!

Just before they slammed into the rock, he twisted, keeping his body between her and the impact. They bounced off, and he twisted again.

When they finally settled, he said, "Are you hurt? Mariketa? Answer me!"

The rock slide had stirred grit and sand, and she coughed before she could cry, "Oh, gods, this isn't happening."

"Shh, shh. I've got you. Easy, then. I've got you now."

She ignored the urge to wipe her eyes, and instead tightened her grip on him. She clutched his arms so hard, her nails sank into the muscles, yet he said nothing. "A-are you okay?"

"Aye, fine. As soon as the dust clears, I'll climb straight up."

"What... what was that?"

"An earthquake. The area's known for them."

"The others? Are they safe?"

"Give me a second to see, lass. The dust is still settling over there as well. They're doubtless hanging on just like we are."

Bowe's jaw slackened. When the air cleared, he saw the bridge on the other side was... gone.

"Do you see them?"

"They're fine. They made it across," he told her. Not necessarily a lie. They might have leapt up before the bridge was lost—no matter how much more likely it was that they'd fallen.

Still, unless they lost their heads, a fall couldn't kill them. And until he got Mariketa down from this mountain, and safe from their present predicament, he didn't think it wise to tell her that her friends might have plunged hundreds of feet.

"Now, we've got to get ourselves to safe ground, too. I can use the bridge's wood slats as rungs. We'll just climb up. Verra well, Mari?"

"B-Bowen, wait! If you d-don't drop me on the climb up, I'll be nicer to you, and... and I'll sleep with you! I really will."

"Well, in that case, I'll be sure to hold you tight," he said, reaching above him.

"You're laughing at me."

"Nothing on earth could make me drop you." Almost to the top. "Even if you've been cruel to me."

"I've been cruel?"

"Aye, and toying with me."

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"About leading me to think you were going to 'give it up' then reneging."

"I never led you on!"

"Did you no' jump me?"

"You're trying to distract me again—" Her words ended in a shriek directly in his ear when he leapt from the bridge over the edge.

"There, we're on solid ground again. See, everything's fine." As soon as he'd gotten them back down under the trees, he set her on her feet, holding her shoulders until she was steady enough to stand on her own. But she launched herself right back at him, wrapping her arms around his waist, like she'd hug a tree.

He stared down at her. "Mariketa?"

"Th-thanks for not letting me die."

He dragged her arms up around his neck, then pressed her head to his chest, drawing her close. "I will never let anything happen to you." As she clutched him, he felt needed and strong—finally the protector he'd been born to be.

She whispered, "Bowen, I think you're quite possibly my favorite person in the world right now."

—Yours.—

I know. He did. For weeks he'd thought of her, dreamed of her. Her passion had awed him. Her bravery and beauty amazed him. Now he simply allowed himself to accept what he'd wanted so desperately.

She was his.

Her for him. Period.

"I can't believe you could hold on like that," she said. "You're really, uh, strong."

"I'm supposed to be, to protect you."

They both fell silent.

"Not me, MacRieve."

"I've made a decision, lass." He drew back and cupped her face. "If given the chance I would no' go back. You're mine. And I'm going to do whatever it takes, till I'm yours as well."

She made a frustrated sound. "Typical male! Because of what happened in the cave?"

"Aye, some. But also because of what happened after. We fit, you and me, and could make a life together. And, witch"—his gaze held hers—"we're going to have a bloody good time of it."