Page 50 of Craved By a Highland Beast

“Perhaps,” said Evan with a small shrug. “But unless ye wish tae keep her imprisoned in these walls, then I dinnae see how she can be safe. Are ye sayin’ that ye would rather keep her here instead o’ allowin’ her tae return tae her home?”

Evan could practically feel the smugness radiating off Bonnie as she stared at Ruthven expectantly, waiting for his response. Ruthven glanced back and forth between them, his lips parting as though he was about to speak before he shut them once more, changing his mind.

When he spoke, he addressed Bonnie rather than Evan.

“Ye’ll be safe here,” he said. “Those men were naething but brigands, surely, an’ brigands exist everywhere. Ye must have brigands in yer lands, too, Miss MacLaren. An’ I’ll have me men sweep the woods tae ensure ye will be safe.”

“Ach . . . I dinnae ken if that will be enough, me laird,” Bonnie said, regret tinting her tone. “As much as I wish tae stay here an’ acquaint meself better with ye, I think me cousin is right. We should head back tae Castle MacLaren as soon as possible.”

“An’ the weddin’?” Ruthven demanded. Blood had begun to rush to his head, his skin turning a faint shade of red, though he hid his anger well. “I dinnae think I need tae remind ye that we are supposed tae be wedded soon.”

“As me cousin said, we will be in communication,” Bonnie told Ruthven with a placating smile. “Once we are back with me council, I will make sure they write ye tae arrange everythin’.”

Ruthven, naturally, wasn’t convinced. Evan had expected resistance from his side, and he was willing to argue about this matter for as long as he needed in order to get Bonnie out of there. Not only was it a good opportunity for them to leave, but he was also truly concerned that someone else could attack them. After all, Ruthven surely had plenty of enemies and people who wanted him dead. What would stop them from killing Bonnie and Evan too in the process?

“I truly think ye should reconsider,” said Ruthven, one final, half-hearted attempt at making them stay.

Bonnie and Evan exchanged a quick glance, and Evan instantly knew they were in agreement. They had to leave.

“We shall take our leave on the morrow,” he said. “An’ we will be in touch.”

With that, he turned to Bonnie, carefully examining the wound on her shoulder. It was as good as any dismissal, but Ruthven still lingered for a few moments before he turned on his heel with a huff and left the room.

The moment he was gone, Evan could finally breathe with ease.

“We can leave,” Bonnie mumbled, as though she could hardly believe it. “We can truly leave.”

“Aye,” said Evan with a soft chuckle, nodding. “Aye, we can.”

It was good to see her relief at the realization that they would soon be away from Ruthven. Nothing but a few hours stood between them and their departure, and Evan was determined to keep Ruthven as far away from them both as he could until then.

“Rest,” Evan told Bonnie, leaning closer to press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll stay here. I promise.”

Bonnie nodded, closing her eyes once more. Soon, she fell into a calm, deep sleep, and Evan watched her, that weight in his chest slowly disappearing as his mind caught up with the fact that she was alive and well.

When Evan had seen that arrow pierce Bonnie’s shoulder, he had instantly been flooded with terror at the thought of losing her. There had been so much blood—no matter how much pressure Evan had placed upon the wound, it had still flowed over his fingers, warm and sticky, a stark reminder of Bonnie’s mortality. He could lose her at any moment, he thought, especially if Ruthven found out the truth about their plans.

He didn’t think he could handle such a terrible fate. If anything happened to Bonnie, he would spend whatever would be left of his life as a broken man. The only reasons for him to keep going would be the clan and his brother, but even so, he didn’t know if it would be enough to keep him going.

But she is alive. She is alive an’ nae harm will come tae her as long as I live. I will ensure it.

Even if he had to give his own life, he would do anything to protect her.

Bonnie slept peacefully through the night, knowing Evan was right there, next to her. When she opened her eyes once more, it was just starting to turn bright outside, the first rays of the sun bathing the land in a cold light. Out of the window, she could seethat it was going to be another nice day—the sky clear and blue, the weather perfect for travelling.

She couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Dragging her gaze away from the window, she searched for Evan and found him slumped in a nearby chair, his head tilted back and his mouth hanging open as he slept. The sight of him like that drew a soft chuckle out of her, though she couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him. Surely, the position in which he was sleeping could be nothing but uncomfortable.

Bonnie took a few moments to stretch—her left arm, at least, since that was the one attached to her uninjured shoulder. Her right shoulder still ached, the pain sharp and ever-present despite the soothing brews the healer had given her the previous day. She supposed their effect had to be fully gone by now, leaving behind this insistent pain that she would have to call her companion for their entire trip back home, until she could be given another analgesic.

She would rather be alert while they travelled, after all. Even if there was little she could do to defend herself with her right arm useless, she could at least run and hide in the face of danger if she was fully aware of her surroundings. An analgesic would only fog her mind and slow her down.

With a wince of pain, Bonnie pushed herself off the bed. She tested her shoulder once, rolling it gently, but the pain that shot down her arm and torso as she moved halted the movementbefore it was complete, and Bonnie had to bite down on her cheek to stop herself from making a noise.

She didn’t want the first thing Evan heard when he woke to be her groans of pain.

Nae movin’ that shoulder, then.

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