Page 46 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
She saw her maid’s lips move as she silently mouthed,I’m sorry.
The moment pierced Alexandra’s heart like an arrow.
Nicholas continued to drag her inside the side door of the gate.
The doors closed behind them with a final clang, and Alexandra stood trembling, unable to hold back the tears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Nicholas stood rooted as the gates shut with a heavy thud, sealing the devil out. His fists were still clenched, knuckles white, rage burning hot in his veins. He could still see Leo’s smirk, that smug gleam in his eye as he walked away with Erica.
If it werenae for the girl’s sacrifice…I would’ve torn the man apart with me bare hands if he touched Alexandra.
He turned, breath ragged, only to see Alexandra collapse to her knees on the cold stone. A raw wail tore from her throat, and it struck him deeper than any blade.
She bent over herself, trembling, her hands pressed to her face as if trying to block out what just happened. Nicholas dropped beside her without thinking, his arms reaching around her shaking form.
“Lass, it’s over now,” he murmured, his voice hoarse. “Ye’re safe. He’s gone.” But the words felt empty, meaningless, when the sound of her weeping filled the courtyard.
She shook her head, curls tumbling loose from her braid, tears streaking down her cheeks.
“He’s taken her, Nicholas,” she cried. “He’s taken her… and I let her go.” Her voice cracked like glass, and her body heaved with sobs.
Nicholas tightened his hold on her, drawing her close to his chest. He’d never seen her like this—so undone, so broken.
“By her own admission, she is Leo’s sister. It was her choice to reveal it,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple. “She did it for ye. Because she loves ye.”
Alexandra clutched at his tunic, fingers curling tight in the fabric.
“I should’ve stopped her—I should’ve gone instead!” she gasped. “She’s nay match for him. He’ll ruin her. Break her. She's too delicate.” Her words came out in choking bursts.
He shook his head fiercely. “Ye listen to me. That man’s a blackhearted fiend, aye—but Erica’s stronger than she looks. She fooled the likes of him for years. She’s nae broken yet.” But even as he said it, his chest twisted with doubt.
He’d nearly lost Alexandra—nearly watched her ride away into the hands of a man who made his blood boil with hate. The thought of Leo touching her, of taking her as his bride, made Nicholas’s vision blur with fury. He would’ve stormed the gates, sword drawn, no matter the cost. And still, he’d been helpless—standing there as she almost chose sacrifice over love.
She let out another cry and buried her face against him.
“She saved me,” she whispered. “Erica saved me… but who’ll save her?” Her voice trailed off into a whisper, as though saying it aloud made it too real.
Nicholas cradled her like something precious and fragile. His heart thundered with grief and fury both, but he knew now was not the time for battle cries. “It'll be all right, Alexandra. I swear it on me name,” he said, low and firm.
But her sobs did not ease, and her body kept trembling like a leaf in a storm. He guided her gently to sit against the inner wall, sheltering her from the view of the guards above. The courtyard had quieted, the threat gone, but sorrow had taken its place.
Nicholas brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her brow. “Ye’re safe with me. I’ll nae let any harm come to ye. Nae now, nae ever.” But there was no victory in his voice—only aching resolve.
She lifted her eyes to him, red-rimmed and shining. “We cannae just leave her there, Nicholas. He’s cruel. He’ll hurt her.” Her voice shook, but her gaze had begun to steel again.
“Aye,” he said softly. “But be smart. We’ll plan. We’ll nae let her sacrifice be in vain.” His grip on her hand tightened with purpose.
Even as the wind whistled over the walls, carrying with it the bitter scent of betrayal, Nicholas held Alexandra close. His anger had not cooled—it burned steadily beneath his skin. But there was more than fury in him now.
Alexandra leaned into him, worn and silent, and he felt the trust she placed in him settle like weight on his shoulders. He could carry it. He must. For her… and for the woman who had faced a monster to save them both.
Nicholas held Alexandra, his arm steady around her as her sobs quieted into soft, broken breaths. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and though the storm within her had not passed, he could feel her drawing strength from his presence.
The courtyard was still now, but a tension lingered in the air—like the hush before thunder. The guards had returned to their posts, yet every man seemed to know something sacred had just been lost.
“She lied tae me all these years,” Alexandra said at last, her voice barely a whisper. “We lived under the same roof, and I never kent.” Her hand trembled against his chest as she wiped at her tear-stained face. “She gave up her name, her life, to stay hidden… all because of him.”
