“Alone.”
“As you wish. ’Tis a kind thought to stay with her. I will be down below with our men. We have much to do before we leave.”
His father nodded to him and left.
Alex pulled a large chair closer and sat in it, lifting Sarah and settling her onto his lap. He tossed the bloody coverlet off to the side and found two furs in a basket and covered her with them.
She shivered against him so he tucked her close. Blood still seeped from below her waist, but he refused to acknowledge it. The fact that she still lived was a testament to her strength and will. The least he could do was hold her. Listen to her story if she chose to tell it.
Tucking her close, he said, “My apologies we did not arrive sooner. My sire thinks your attackers were English. Do you agree?”
She opened her eyes, gazed at him, and nodded. “Aye,” she choked out. “Who are you?”
“Alex Grant. We came because my father heard you were to be attacked, but we came too late.” Tears blurred his vision just from watching the poor girl. Did she know she was about to die?
“My thanks for coming. You have kind eyes, unlike the others.” Her fingers reached up to touch his jawline, but she quickly lost strength and they tumbled into her lap. “Are they still here?” She stiffened at the thought. “Can they return?”
“Nay, I’ll protect you, lass. I promise. They’re all dead.”
Her eyes closed again, and she attempted to take a deep breath but failed. Her eyes opened and locked on his. “Why did they…Why would anyone…Why?” Fresh tears dotted her lashes. “Cruel monsters.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand how anyone could treat another so poorly.” The words seemed paltry given the horrors he’d seen in this place, the horrors that had been visited upon Sarah and her loved ones, but he had no idea what to say.
She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, sighing twice, her hands gripping his tunic. “Don’t leave me. Please?”
“Nay, I’ll not leave. I promise.” He smoothed loose strands away from her face, but she closed her eyes again. “If you like, Sarah, I can try to get you to my mother. She is a healer, and mayhap she can help you.”
The trembling in her body started again. “Nay, please nay.” She gulped, apparently from expending the effort to speak.
“I’ll carry you on my lap. There may yet be time.” He prayed that he could still save her. That this whole mission would not be for naught.
“Nay!” Tears fell down her cheeks and she shook her head.
“But why not?”
“I’d rather die.”
Chapter Four
The beginning of the draw of the parapets…and why he respected women…
Alex didn’t know what to say. Why would someone choose death? Sarah stared at him, her gaze locked on his, her hands still gripping his tunic.
“Please.”
“I’ll honor your wishes. I don’t understand them, but I’ll honor them.”
He tucked her head back under his chin, doing his best to give her his warmth because she shivered so.
“The memories…” she whispered. She took several quick breaths, then said, “Too painful. I’d rather die.”
Her words bit into him, more painful than a physical wound. He held her, talking softly to her about his family, naming everyone in their clan, saying aught he could to distract her.
Every once in a while, she would take quick breaths then sigh. He knew she’d not last much longer because she was so cold. Everything about her was cold. If he could ease her passing, he would.
How could men be so brutal? They’d taken her by force, which was horrifying enough, but that alone wouldn’t have killed her. They’d beaten her bloody.
Why?
