Page 7 of Taken By the Devilish Highlander
“Archer!”
It was nearly dawn, and from the light through the window, he could see Feya’s face, awash with shock. Her eyes searched his, desperate for him to recognize her, and he could sense her fear. Archer blinked at her, finally back to reality, and only then did he see Feya relax.
“Get off of me,” she cried, but Archer was too stunned to move.
“What were ye doin’?”
She looked slightly embarrassed, as if she didn’t expect to be caught.
“Ye were having a nightmare,” she said carefully. “It isnae right to shock someone out of a dream state. Ye must bring them out gently.”
“Were ye singing to me?” he asked, narrowing his eyes, enjoying the opportunity to challenge her. She gave a brief shrug.
“It helps with me younger siblings,” she explained.
“And were ye…touching me hair?”
She diverted her gaze, a beautiful pink flushing her cheeks. Then she looked back at him and nodded. This simple gesture set Archer’s whole body on fire, leaving him stunned for the firsttime in his life. He felt his breath hitch in his throat and he couldn’t keep his eyes from dropping down to her lips.
“Ye’re awake now, so get off me,” Feya said, and she began pulling at her wrists, pushing her thighs against his as she struggled to break free. It was too much for Archer, who wasn’t sure he could keep himself from pinning this struggling woman to the bed and showing her exactly what effect she was having on him. He leaped up and out of the bed, pressing his fingernails into his palms to compose himself.
“It’s morning,” Feya announced, as if he couldn’t see the sun streaming through the window. “Time to go.”
He was surprised by the panic that coursed through his chest. He was certain Feya would die if he let her go back to the castle. Anyone could see she wouldn’t survive if he let her out of his sight. But it wasn’t the only reason he was compelled to keep this feisty woman at his side. She had pulled him out of his nightmare, pulled him back from the horror that so frequently visited him. No one had ever done that for him. With all the healers he had tried, this lass was the only one who had done something.
“What about our deal?”
She was already up and out of the bed, readying herself to leave. Now she froze and turned back to him.
“What deal?” she asked.
“Me reward. For saving ye. Ye said ye would give me anythin’.”
“I will,” she said earnestly. “I wasnae lyin’. Once I make sure me family is safe, I’ll come back. Ye can name your price.”
“I want ye to be me healer,” Asher said, lifting his chin to regard her. “But I willnae wait. Ye will come to Dougal Castle today.”
“Surely ye have a healer,” she said, frozen in place. It was like being around a wild animal with this man. She couldn’t predict what he would do or say from one moment to the next. Feya felt the need to move slowly, to choose her words carefully.
“Aye, but she’s getting old. She cannae help me with what I need.”
Archer was perched on the edge of the bed, still shirtless after Feya had forbidden him from putting the vile fabric back on. He looked gentler this morning, more subdued. Perhaps it was the nightmare she had pulled him out of, a hint of darkness she was only beginning to understand.
“What ye need,” she repeated slowly. “Do ye need healing, me Laird?”
It was the first time she had called him that, and she saw Archer’s look of surprise. The title had come out of her unbidden. Of course, he wasn’t her Laird. Though she had noidea who would step into the opening left by Laird McKenzie’s death.
“There are times…” his gaze dropped to the floor, and Feya worried he would not continue.
“Is it the nightmares?” she asked. Her voice dropped into the gentle tone she used by the sickbed. Something soothing yet confident to put her patients at ease.
“Aye,” Archer nodded. “Though they daenae always come at night.”
Feya stepped closer and took a seat next to him, not touching him, but close enough so she hoped he would feel more comfortable. She could still imagine his thrashing from that dream, the terror she heard in his voice when he called out to someone.
“Ye see things…things ye should not see?” she asked.
Archer scowled and shook his head.
