Page 68 of Cherished By A Highlander

“I have seen worse wounded men survive. I learned that in the end, fate decides,” Shade said.

Nug hurried down the stairs ahead of them while Quint pulled Shade into a gentle hug.

“You need to take your own advice and rest some or you will be of no help to anyone,” he said and nibbled at her neck.

She scrunched her shoulders at the desirous sensation his nibbling sent through her body. “A nap would be refreshing but I believe you would follow me, and I would leave our bedchamber more tired than when I entered it.”

He brushed his lips faintly across hers. “On that you would be right.”

“The thought is enticing, but I must go check on Liam and a few other warriors who require my attention. But later tonight?—”

“You are all mine,” he said.

“Do you think there may be a secret message within the message Chieftain Ryland gave Caleb?” Shade asked, waiting until they stepped outside the keep so no one would hear her.

“I suppose it is possible, but we need to remember that Caleb was in tremendous pain at the time. He could have gotten the message wrong.”

“But he repeated the message over and over so that Caleb would recall it correctly. Surely, Chieftain Ryland wanted Caleb to recall it word for word, leaving one to think there was something of importance included in the message.”

“You make a wise point. I will speak to Nug about it,” Quint said suddenly curious himself, wondering if Nug knew the message contained a message and said nothing.

Shouts and a scream had Quint warning his wife, “You will not rush to help anyone, and you will remain behind me.”

She waved him ahead of her. “Hurry! Be off. I will follow.”

Quint shook his head, knowing she might think that but if someone needed healing, she would rush right ahead to give aid. But it wasn’t his wife he needed to worry about. As soon as they stepped outside, he saw a man who had good girth to him dangling a young lass who could be no more than five years in front of him, anger twisted his face while a storm raged in his blue eyes.

A woman, who appeared worn to the bone she was so thin, was helping another lass who appeared to be of at least eight years get to her feet and both were begging the girthy man to let the little lass go. The little lass herself appeared terrified and tears ran down her cheeks as she looked to her mum for help.

Two men stood nearby laughing. None were from Clan MacLeish, except for Heath who Nug was supporting. His face was bruised, and he favored his one side. He obviously had taken a beating, which meant the woman and two young lasses were Rufus’s wife and daughters who Heath had been sent to collect.

“Where is James?” the big man demanded. “We’re here to help him keep rein on this place for Lord Torrance.”

“PUT THE LASS DOWN!”

Shade had hurried to follow her husband and hearing his warning, she knew it was The Monk the unsuspecting men were about to meet.

The man shook the little lass. “I’ll do what I please with her. Now one of you fools go get me James, and where are his men?”

The lass stretched her arms out to her mum, tears now streaming down her cheeks that should be round and full but weren’t from lack of food. Rufus had told him the truth.

The Monk hurried toward the man.

The two other men rushed at him.

“Which one of you wants to die first?” The Monk shouted, reaching for one of the daggers at his waist.

That’s when tongues started wagging, none too quietly, and the two men heard the chatter clearly.

“The Monk.”

“The Monk.”

“The Monk will end it.”

The two men instantly retreated, hurrying behind the big man, one of them saying, “He’s The Monk.”

“I’m not afraid of The Monk,” the large man said, watching his men retreat behind him and when he turned, he was met with a powerful fist to his jaw.

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