Page 62 of The Mad Highlander
“Nay,” Cayden stated. “He couldnae have kenned I would be the one to come for him. He had his reasons for capturin’ yer brother, but I think maybe he adapted his plans after the fact.”
Iris stopped walking for a moment, frozen to the spot again. She opened her mouth to ask the question and found she couldn’t talk.
The Laird placed his hand on her cheek again. “Dinnae worry, I’ll protect ye. Nay one will harm ye, and that goes for the rest of me clan as long as I’m alive.”
Aye, and it’s the last part that worries me. I believe ye, but if Laird Murdoch is comin’, he will be comin’ to kill ye.
“Ye need nae worry so much. Hunter will soon be back with his men, and me other advisors will rally their men. The Murdochs won’t stand a chance.”
“I heard they had some support, too.”
“Maybe, but we still have more strength. Believe me, all right?”
Iris placed her hand over the Laird’s hand resting on her cheek. She nodded.
“Come on.” The Laird took her hand and led her toward the healer’s hut.
A couple of the Laird’s men were outside the hut when they got there.
“Go and get some food and rest,” the Laird ordered. He clapped both of them on the shoulder, nodding at them.
The men wore tight smiles as they left the hut.
The Laird took Iris’ arms. “He hasnae said much since we rescued him. They didnae treat him very well in there, and he needs his rest, but he did speak a couple of times on the way back, and he mentioned ye. It will be good for him to see ye again.”
Iris took a deep breath. She didn’t know what to expect with him being locked up in the dungeon and not being conscious much on the ride home. She rubbed her eyes to remove the last of the tears, and then ventured forth, not wanting to be led this time.
Iris entered the hut to find the healer bent over one of the beds. Iris took a quick look around to find three other people lying on straw mattresses, but none were her brother. She stepped slowly toward the bed, Astrid obscuring the view, and brought her fingers to her lips.
Astrid dabbed the patient’s forehead with a damp cloth and then stood up. She turned around to face Iris.
Astrid smiled, but there was pain in her eyes—she had been crying. “He needs some rest, but I believe he will be fine.”
Iris let out a long breath. The Laird stepped closer behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Astrid looked at the Laird with some sort of realization but moved aside before Iris could wonder more what that recognition was. When she saw her brother, she gasped.
Iris went straight to the bed, leaving Cayden behind, and knelt on the hard ground. If he had been gone much longer, she might not have recognized him. His cheeks were hollow, and he looked like a ghost she had read about in a story once as a child. He was so pale that he might be thought dead, and he looked far thinner than she had ever seen him before.
Iris held her breath but finally let it go when she saw him lick his lips in his sleep.
She took his hand and held it gently, afraid he would fall apart if she squeezed too tightly. “I’m here, Ashton. I’m here now, and ye are safe. The healer says ye will be fine. Ye just need to get yer strength back, and we will do it together, all right?” She brushed a short lock of his hair from his forehead and tucked it in with the rest. “Me goodness, what did they do to ye in that castle?”
A strong hand was placed on her shoulder, and she knew immediately it was Cayden. Iris moved to get up.
“Nay.” His voice was deep and commanding. “Stay where ye are. Stay with yer brother. I need to check on castle security and ready our men for when Hunter returns. Laird Murdoch willnae be here soon, but I want to be ready for any eventuality. Spend some time with yer brother; he needs ye.”
Iris didn’t turn around but placed her hand over Cayden’s. “I shall ne’er be able to thank ye for this. He would have died if it were nae for ye.”
“Yer hand in marriage will be more than enough,” Cayden replied.
Iris knelt between them, her brother’s hand in one hand and Cayden’s hand in the other.
“Let me ken when he wakes,” the Laird said. “I wish to talk to him, too. He might have heard or seen something at the castle.”
“I will.” Iris squeezed his hand a final time before the Laird took his leave. She remained kneeling on the ground, willing her brother to make it through and wake up. The only thing that buoyed her spirits was the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
Iris became numb as she stayed at Ashton’s side. She had forgotten there were other people in the room until she heard a soft trembling breath. She looked behind to see Astrid in a chair by the wall.
“Has he taken any food or water since returnin’?” Iris asked.
