Page 49 of Craved By a Highland Beast

And yet, Bonnie had managed to save them from such an attack—not against one or two but three archers, all of whom died by her hand.

She had been swift and decisive, showing no hint of hesitation. Evan had not understood the extent of her skills until that very day and now that he had seen just how good she was with a bow and arrow, he couldn’t help but see her in a completely different light.

She tricked me the last time. She didnae wish fer me tae ken how good she is.

Clever lass.

A chuckle escaped Evan, though it was short-lived when his gaze fell on her again, laying on that bed. For someone who had seemed so powerful only a few hours prior, now she looked so fragile, her small frame looking even smaller in that bed that was meant for soldiers. Now more than ever, she seemed pale, the color drained from her face. She had lost a lot of blood; the healer had told him. Some of it was still on Evan’s clothes, staining his tunic a dark red that had now dried to black.

“Is there somethin’ funny?”

Ruthven’s voice sounded grating in Evan’s ears. He didn’t turn to look at the other man; he had no desire to see the irritation etched clearly on his features.

Ever since Evan had brought Bonnie to the healer’s quarters, neither he nor Ruthven had left her side, no matter how much they didn’t want each other there. Evan wanted Ruthven to leave them alone, Ruthven wanted Evan to leave his castle, but in the end, they both sat there, waiting for Bonnie to wake up.

They had not exchanged a single word up until that moment. What was there to say, after all? Ruthven had wanted Bonnie to flee the attack with him and she had ignored him, choosing to stay by Evan’s side, and Ruthven would never let that go.

I hope Alaric has reached some o’ our allies. We cannae stay here much longer.

But perhaps we dinnae have tae stay.

With Bonnie hurt like this in Ruthven’s own lands, no one would blame them for leaving. Evan could play the role of the concerned cousin and take Bonnie back home, where she would be safest. Ruthven would try to stop them, of course, but there was nothing he could do as long as he had no way of proving that his lands were safe.

If nothing else, it would buy them some time.

“What happened?”

Bonnie’s voice tore Evan’s gaze away from Ruthven and he stood from his chair, rushing over to her bedside. He sat on the edge of the bed, but as much as he wanted to reach for her, to pull her into his arms and never let her go again, he refrained from touching her. He didn’t want Ruthven to think they were too close—that they could be something other than cousins.

“Yer awake,” he said, allowing himself a small smile. “There was an attack in the forest. Ye were hit with an arrow.”

Bonnie blinked up at him, then looked down at her injured shoulder before her head fell back onto the pillow with a groan. “I remember now,” she said. “I never even got tae see the loch.”

Evan couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of him, shoulders shaking with it. “Nay . . . I suppose ye didnae. But ye did fool me. Ye made me think ye could hardly shoot a bow.”

“O’ course I did,” Bonnie said. Still, her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper. “I couldnae let ye ken me real skill.”

Footsteps echoed in the small room as Ruthven approached, looming over both of them as he stood by the bed. Bonnie frowned as she looked up at him, as though she was surprised to see him, but when she made to sit up, Ruthven gestured at her to stay down.

“I am so relieved yer well, Miss MacLaren,” he said. “How are ye feelin’? Are ye in pain?”

“Some,” Bonnie said, but Evan knew that had to be an understatement. Though the healer had assured them there would be little lasting damage, as the arrow had pierced straight through flesh and had not damaged any bone, the injury still had to hurt. If it was anything like a knife wound, then Evan knew just how bad the pain was, and yet Bonnie didn’t complain. “How long has it been since we returned?”

“A few hours,” said Evan. “The healer instructed us tae allow ye tae rest. An’ ye should still rest if ye wish tae recover soon.”

“Ye will have the services o’ me healer, o’ course,” Ruthven assured Bonnie, but Evan was quick to shake his head.

“We willnae stay long,” he said. “In fact, I think we should part on the morrow.”

Both Bonnie and Ruthven stared at him as though they couldn’t comprehend him. It was Ruthven who spoke first, confusion evident in his tone.

“Where will ye go?” he asked. “The weddin’—”

“The weddin’ is o’ little importance now,” Evan said, interrupting him before he could finish his sentence. “What matters is Bonnie’s safety, Laird Ruthven. I’m sure ye will agree.”

Ruthven stammered for a moment, uncertain of what to say in response. He couldn’t argue with Evan on that point, of course, but he couldn’t agree, either, if he wanted to keep Bonnie there.

“I can assure ye the castle is perfectly safe fer Miss MacLaren,” he said instead, assuming a haughty look. “There is nae threat tae her life here. Me men guard these walls an’ they ken their tasks.”

---