Page 69 of Kilted Seduction
The rest of the Ross warriors stopped fighting at once, dropping their swords in surrender as soon as they realized their laird had fallen.
Thora barely waited for Lachlan’s body to hit the dirt before she raced toward Aedan. He spun to face her, eyes still hot with battle fury. She saw the moment he recognized her, and hs sword dropped to the ground.
Then she was in his arms, nearly sobbing with relief. “Aedan… I’m sorry I deceived ye, and I…”
“’Tis all right. Ye had a reason. I wouldnae have listened otherwise, ye were right.” Aedan’s voice was quiet, roughened by exertion and smoke.
“We can discuss it later. Fer now, best we be leavin this place, I’m thinkin’.” Thora turned as her eldest brother, Domhnall, strode forward and offered Aedan his hand. “I’m Domhnall MacLeod, and I want tae thank ye fer looking after me sister.”
“Laird MacLeod…’tis as wise tae say that Thora’s been looking after me. Were it nae fer her, I’d nae have discovered the true threat tae me clan.” Aedan looked down and nudged Lachlan Ross’s body with his boot distastefully.
Then he staggered, and Thora yelped, only to sigh with relief as Domhnall caught Aedan in his arms. Kai and Magnus joined them in supporting the wounded laird. “Ye’re a sore, wearied man. Best we get ye tae yer home fer some much needed rest.”Domhnall cracked a smile. “I’d tak’ ye tae mine, but yer castle is the closer o’ the two, and ye’ll be more comfortable there.”
Aedan looked as if he wanted to protest, but Mac joined them and laid a hand on his shoulder. Aedan sighed. “All right. We can… speak when we’re safe at Castle Cameron.”
Thora helped him up onto a horse, though she wasn’t at all surprised when Mac took the reins rather than let his laird try to guide the horse himself. Aedan scowled, but Mac shook his head. “Ye’ve taken too many injuries, me laird. I’ll nae risk ye ridin’ intae a tree branch or off a cliff in yer weariness.”
“But I…”
“Rest, and let yerself heal.” Thora’s youngest brother Kai spoke the words in a soft tone as he put his hand on Aedan’s shoulder, but Thora heard the resonance of his Gift in the words. He could influence other people’s emotions when he touched them, and Aedan suddenly slumped.
Magnus, Thora’s second brother, scooped her up onto his horse with a small smile. “I ken ye’d rather be riding with Laird Cameron, but ye’re safer with me, sister. And we can ride beside him.” Thora nodded.
Her heart was still confused. She didn’t know why Aedan had tried to rescue her. She didn’t know if the geas demand was still in effect. She didn’t know if Aedan had forgiven her, or if his actions had only stemmed from his sense of honor.
She wanted to ask, but Aedan was barely conscious, his eyes half-lidded under the force of Kai’s compulsion. And it wasn’t the sort of question she wanted to ask around her brothers anyway.
After a while, Domhnall came to ride beside her. “Ye were reckless, going off as ye did. Ye scared us all tae hell. Luckily, we were all taegether fer the celebrations.”
“Aye. I ken. But I would have failed if I had done anything else. Ye ken what me visions are like.”
“I ken.” Her brother sighed, and she saw the worry in his eyes. “Did ye at least succeed?”
“Aye.” She leaned against her brother. “I went tae end the threat from Laird Ross, and the threat is ended. It ‘twould have put our clan in grave peril as well.”
“Ye kent the danger, Thora. This was too reckless even fer ye…” Magnus began.
“And being unwed, yet spending so much time away with a man,” Domhnall interrupted him.
“And now? Ye and Laird Cameron?” Kai finally asked.
Thora felt her heart twist. “I dinnae ken… I gave him a false name, and Lachlan revealed the truth afore I could. I regret it,but I dinnae ken if anything can repair the breach me folly has caused.”
“But ye wish it so.”
“Aye. I dae want tae mend things with him.” Thora admitted. “I… I want tae…”
“I understand.” Domhnall smiled, and she felt Magnus squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Once we’re safe in Castle Cameron, then ye can settle matters. Just ken, yer braithers and sister will stand behind ye, whatever comes o’ today’s work.”
Thora smiled. “I ken, and I’m glad o’ it.”
They rode into the courtyard some four candle-marks later. Mac and Kai helped Aedan dismount, and Kai smiled. “Time tae wake up. Me sister’s wanting a word with ye.”
Aedan blinked, then looked at the man beside him.
“A small Gift. I can ease a man’s mind tae rest or waking. Sometimes other things, but I’d never use such gifts on one me sister holds in such high regard.”
Aedan blinked again, then turned his head, seeking her, and Thora stepped forward to meet him. “Aedan…”
