Page 60 of The Mad Highlander
“Ashton? Ashton Whyte?”
The lad moaned in his sleep—he looked like a ghost, pale in the darkness.
“Ashton?” Cayden tried again, shaking him with more vigor.
“Mmm,” the lad moaned.
“Get up,” Cayden ordered. “Your name is Ashton, isnae it?”
“Please dinnae hurt me anymore,” the lad pleaded.
“Tell me your name! Is your name Ashton?”
“Aye,” the boy agreed, his entire body trembling.
“What’s your sister’s name?” Cayden asked.
“Me sister? Me sister is Iris.”
Cayden smiled and let out a breath. “Guid lad.” He looked back toward the door. “We’ve found him.” He patted Ashton on the shoulder. “We’re gettin’ ye out of here.”
Even if we have to carry ye out.
25
Iris sat by the window, looking toward the road leading to the castle. She closed her eyes tight and tried not to think the worst.
“Iris?”
Iris turned from the window to see Robyn standing in the doorway. Robyn was trying to smile, but the tense lines at the corners of her mouth gave her away.
“Ye must eat somethin’,” Robyn said softly.
Iris closed her eyes to stave off the tears and shook her head. “How can I eat when he hasnae returned? It’s been almost four days since he left. What if?—”
“Dinnae,” Robyn warned. “Dinnae say what ye were about to say. He’s me brother, and I dinnae want to think about that.”
“Aye, but?—”
“I dinnae care!” Robyn shouted. She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, her eyes open wide.
Iris placed her fingers on her trembling lower lip before quickly leaping from her chair by the window and crossing the room to Robyn. She grabbed the Laird’s sister and held her far too tight.
“I apologize,” Robyn said as she was squeezed. “I didnae mean to shout at ye. I daenae ken how ye can be so strong. Me brother has only been gone for a short while, and yer brother has been gone for ages! How do ye do it?”
“I do it because I have to—there’s nay other reason. I’m only strong because I have to be strong, and I see yer strength, too. We are in this together, Robyn. We are both worried. They will come back; I ken they will,” Iris soothed.
I hope he comes back. I cannae lose him like this.
“Ye make me strong,” Robyn said. “I feel stronger for havin’ ye here.”
Iris started to cry as she held Robyn. Once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop. After a moment, she realized that Robyn was crying, too. She rubbed the young woman’s back, trying to console her while knowing there was no consolation for what they were both going through.
“Come and get some food,” Robyn sobbed. “Watchin’ for him willnae bring him back any faster, and ye need to keep yer strength up. A little food and a small glass of wine for yer constitution.”
Iris sighed through her nose, not wanting to release her embrace and have Robyn see her red eyes. She did so anyway, and when she came face to face again with Robyn, her eyes matched the young woman’s.
Iris and Robyn both took deep breaths together. Iris held out her hand, and Robyn took it. She tried to smile, her lips tightening. Then, she led the younger woman downstairs to get some food.
