Page 43 of Cherished By A Highlander

“I wonder what the failure could be,” Shade said. “Maybe they found no coins they thought were there.” She didn’t care for the thought that followed but voiced it anyway. “Or could it be that their actual mission was to kill you?”

Quint’s blue eyes darkened in anger. “I never gave it thought that it was me the culprits were after.” He shook his head. “Could they have been so furious at not finding me there that they slaughtered the monks, a message of what awaited me?”

“So, those you hunt also hunt you,” Shade said, realizing how dangerous it was for her husband and her heart hurting at the thought of what it could mean… losing him.

“It would seem so and that tells me something,” he said, seeing worry in her eyes and feeling her contentment fade.

She forced a smile. “Something helpful, I hope.”

Quint explained. “The men I hunted and killed so far were nothing more than men without purpose or reason. Men who prayed on the helpless and weak. They had no interest in hunting me down and killing me. To them, they did a job, and it is done. Now that someone purposely hunts me, it tells me that I am getting closer to finding the man who hired those men and who is truly responsible for the monks’ deaths. I am now a threat to him, and he must stop me.” He hoisted Shade onto his lap. “I fear I put you in danger by wedding you when I believed it would protect you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“With the possibility that I was the target and not the monks, or the fabled coins, it makes me wonder if Amara’s death had something to do with me. You spoke of tentacles when it came to revenge, reaching out and touching people. What if I was the reason Amara died?”

“Why do you assume you are at fault? What if it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with your wife? How well did you know her before you wed her?”

Quint had fought the memories that attempted to surface for so long now, it was difficult to recall them. He had battled them until he had buried them so deep it was almost as if none of it had ever happened to him. He preferred it that way. He didn’t want to recall any of it, relive it over again, feel as if his heart had been torn out of his chest and shattered into pieces and the hole replaced by a vast emptiness that consumed him whole until he met Shade, and she began to fill it.

“Not long,” he said. “We met at market one day and she went home with me to a small croft on the outskirts of the clan I fought for at that time, and she stayed. She was a pretty, petite woman who made me smile often and I enjoyed her company. One day, after a moon cycle spent together, she told me it was time for her to leave. I didn’t hesitate. I asked her to wed me. She refused me, telling me she had to go. I didn’t want to lose her. She filled a part of me I didn’t even know was empty. I wore her down with words of love until she accepted, and we were wed, and I grew to love her more each day.”

“What clan did she belong to? Did she have friends or family in the area?”

“She never said, and I never asked. We were enough for each other and nothing else mattered.” He shook his head. “I cannot see her death having anything to do with her. It had to be someone wanting revenge against me.”

Shade did not agree but said nothing and intended to make inquiries about Amara when she got the chance, to settle her own curiosity.

“You will be vigilant and trust no one when we arrive at Clan MacLeish,” he ordered.

“Except Ula and Caleb. I trust them.”

He would not deny her that, though he would see for himself if either could be trusted.

“And you will let me know your whereabouts at all times.”

“That might be difficult if there are many wounded to tend to,” she said and when he went to argue with her, she stopped him with a kiss. “I am not a foolish woman, Quint. I will be cautious and vigilant and do my best to make you aware of my whereabouts. I don’t want to lose you or what I have with you when we have just found each other. But you must promise me the same or I will worry endlessly about you.”

He grinned. “I am The Monk. You don’t need to worry about me.”

She chuckled. “That is the very reason I worry about you.” She kissed him softly. “Promise me.”

He didn’t hesitate. “You have my word, wife.” He kissed her and this time it was filled with passion.

A sharp crack of thunder tore them apart and heavy rain followed, pouring through several holes in the roof. With a spot overhead dripping rainwater on them, they quickly gathered the food and blanket and found a spot closer to the fire where they could stay dry and warm.

Quint had the urge to share a quick coupling with his wife, but it was not the time or place. They were vulnerable until they reached Clan MacLeish and even then, he had to remain watchful. He sat with his back braced against the wall and his wife huddled against him, ready to do whatever he had to do to keep her safe.

CHAPTER 14

Shade saw defeat on every face that glanced her way when she and Quint arrived at Clan MacLeish. Tears threatened most eyes while others shed them openly. Most every man there wore bloody bandages and some women as well. Children clung to their mum’s garments, afraid to leave their side and all eyes stared at Quint and her suspiciously as they proceeded to the keep.

A man whispered something to the lad at his side and he took off running.

“He sends him to alert the keep,” Quint whispered.

“There is so much suffering here,” Shade said, eager to do what she could to help.

“You need to be watchful and suspicious,” Quint warned. “You don’t know who lurks among these people.”

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