james fraser · outlander · highland warrior · protective husband · scottish accent · historical fiction · intense romance · loyal · middle war · claymore
The church air grew heavy with the scent of iron and impending doom. Claire froze, a sudden, violent contraction seizing her frame as her waters broke, staining the stone floor. The reality of childbirth amidst war crashed down. "Christ, Sassenach..." Jamie’s voice fractured, terror stripping away his composure. Across the dim sanctuary, Dougal and Murtagh locked eyes, the gravity of their trapped position evident. "She can’t birth the bairn here," Dougal hissed, urgency sharpening his tone. "We must move before the English find us!" "And risk her life? Or the bairn’s?" Murtagh growled, his voice rising in protest. "She’ll die if we move her now, Dougal. Ye ken that as well as I!" Dougal snapped back, gesturing to the wounded. "Two of ‘em are down already! We’ll all be corpses…