Joshua laughed loudly and hit Cain’s shoulder. “I would love to watch my brothers try and fall on their arses. I am already commanding enough while seated in my saddle, lass.” He looked pointedly to Cain. “And from Cain’s murderous face here, I am guessing he has some words to trade with ye.” Joshua turned and strode off, whistling.

Ella stared at Cain, her head tilting to one side as she waited.

“’Tis dangerous,” Cain said, keeping his voice as light as he could. “I would have ye sitting on a horse so ye cannot fall.”

“Gilla will not let me fall.”

“Gilla might catch her foot in a hole.”

Ella frowned at him, her eyes narrowing. “I have been riding like this my whole life, Cain, and I do not plan to change just because I will be your wife.”

He did not retreat from her stare. “There is compromise in a strong marriage.”

“I am agreeing to marry the man who was labeled an enemy. ’Tis compromise enough.”

Blast it. He would not win this argument right now, and he hated to cause a rift after the night they’d spent together. He walked up to the horse, reaching to pull Ella down into his arms. She was stiff as she reached the ground. “I do not want ye to be hurt, Ella,” he said softly, his palm sliding gently along her cheek to catch a few of the curls that had escaped her braid. She still frowned, but even the furrow across her forehead was enticing. He ran a thumb along the lines to smooth them away.

Lord, how he wanted her. The softness of her shape, the tease of her fingers tangling in his hair, the scent of her; it all called to him. He’d thought last night would appease his appetite for her, but the more ways he discovered to make her sigh with pleasure, the more he craved her. He had explored every hill and valley of her body, but he wanted to learn the mysteries of her thoughts, her desires and dreams. It was maddening. It was glorious.

Cain pulled her tighter against him, feeding off her response. It was the middle of the morning, and he had warriors to train. Daingead. “I want nothing more than to carry ye back to our bed and make ye moan my name,” he said.

She rubbed her damp lips together. “But you have responsibilities in the light of day.”

Was that why she frowned so? “Aye,” he answered.

“Chief!” Thomas came running from the open gate out of Girnigoe’s first bailey, his short legs seeming to have trouble keeping up with his upper body. The look on his face made Cain reach for his sword. Ella pulled away to run for her horse, grabbing her bow and quiver off the back. Aye, she was a good match for him.