Andrea’s Reviews > Voyager > Status Update

Almost time for fireworks!

I hadn't forgotten my love for this series, but man, I needed this refresher. I feel so content.

“Then kiss me, Claire,” he whispered. “And know that you are more to me than life, and I have no regret.” I couldn’t answer, but kissed him, first his hand, its crooked fingers warm and firm, and the brawny wrist of a sword-wielder, and then his mouth, haven and promise and anguish all mingled, and the salt of tears in the taste of him.

“Only you,” he said, so softly I could barely hear him. “To worship ye with my body, give ye all the service of my hands. To give ye my name, and all my heart and soul with it. Only you. Because ye will not let me lie—and yet ye love me.” I did touch him then. “Jamie,” I said softly, and laid my hand on his arm. “You aren’t alone anymore.”

“No, Sassenach, ye dinna frighten me. Or rather ye do, but only when I think ye may kill yourself from carelessness.”... “But no, you probably can’t do anything about me.” I saw him opening his mouth to disagree. Then he changed his mind, and laughed again. "Well, maybe no, Sassenach, and maybe so. But I’ve lived a long enough time now to think it maybe doesna matter so much—so long as I can love you.”

“I want him.” I had not said that to Jamie at our marriage; I had not wanted him, then. But I had said it since, three times; in two moments of choice at Craigh na Dun, and once again at Lallybroch. “I want him.” I wanted him still, and nothing whatever could stand between us.

“I want him.” I had not said that to Jamie at our marriage; I had not wanted him, then. But I had said it since, three times; in two moments of choice at Craigh na Dun, and once again at Lallybroch. “I want him.” I wanted him still, and nothing whatever could stand between us.

I never looked for it, gave it no name; yet I knew it always, when the gift of peace came. I stood quite still for the moment that it lasted, thinking it strange and not strange that grace should find me here, too. Then the light shifted slightly and the moment passed, leaving me as it always did, with the lasting echo of its presence.

“For so many years,” he said, “for so long, I have been so many things, so many different men.”... “But here,” he said, so softly I could barely hear him, “here in the dark, with you…I have no name.” I lifted my face toward his, and took the warm breath of him between my own lips. “I love you,” I said, and did not need to tell him how I meant it.

...He had taken the ragtag and remnants, the castoff survivors of the field of Culloden, and made them his own, that they and he might survive the stones of Ardsmuir as well...he had forced them to band together, to face their captors as one, to put aside ancient clan rivalries and allegiances, and take him as their chieftain. “They were mine,” he said softly. “And the having of them kept me alive.”