“She was just here on horseback.” He searched the grounds for light hair, but there was no sign of her.
Jake came up behind him. “Nice battle with the baron. Great way to put an end to this ruckus. Why is everyone in a circle?” He pointed toward the spot where their sire lay, clearly still unaware of what had happened.
“Da took a sword to his belly,” Jamie said bluntly, wiping his sleeve across his face to get the blood off.
Jake stunned, asked, “What? Da? But he’s…where is he?” He jumped off his horse and raced to the circle, pushing everyone aside as Jamie shouted to him.
Jamie followed. “He was bleeding heavily when I last saw him. He couldn’t get up, but I saw his eyes open and close.”
He dismounted and pushed his way into the circle. Uncle Brodie was already kneeling beside Alex, whose eyes remained closed.
“Papa?” Jamie leaned closer to him, searching for any signs of life. His heart was beating hard in his chest, yet his limbs feltalmost numb, and he could not find any beats of life in his arm or his wrist. His face was so pale, that alone frightened him. Jamie’s mind clouded again as he tried to reason through all that had transpired.
This could not be happening. Could not. He should be going after Gracie, but she’d probably run off to hide. The threat had lessened now that the baron was dead and his men were gone. Loki rode up from the outside, staring down at Alex with a strange look on his face. “Loki, see if you can find Gracie. She was on horseback headed west.”
Loki simply nodded and rode off.
Jamie grabbed his sire’s arm and shook it, attempting to get a reaction. Alex’s eyes fluttered open and then shut again. “Papa!” Jamie lifted his head and shouted, “Someone bring Aunt Caralyn.”
“Robbie’s already gone for her,” Uncle Brodie said. “He’s barely alive.”
Connor moved next to Jake. “Papa?”
Jamie put his hand up on his sire’s neck, searching for a sign that he still lived. “I feel it. He’s still alive. Papa!”
Alex’s eyes opened and he glanced at Jamie. “My thanks,” he said in a weak voice, “your actions saved me. Take me inside…Maddie.”
“He’s alive. I heard him, Jamie. He’ll come back.” Connor’s voice was full of hope.
Jamie wished he had the same hope inside him right now.
Caralyn arrived moments later on foot, Maddie by her side. Jamie bolted up before they reached the circle, hoping to lessen the pain of what his mother was about to see. He grasped her shoulder. “Mama, remember how strong Da is.”
“Is he dead? He looks dead… Nay, Alex, please, nay…our time is not done yet.” Maddie’s fist went into her mouth and tears streamed down her cheeks. “Help me, Jamie, Jake. Myknees. Help me get down, I must be close to him, please, please.” Jake came over to help console his mother.
Jamie did as she asked as more and more people gathered around. Magnus had stepped away from their group to give instructions on cleaning the area up, gathering the dead, and looking for wounded men. There was a dampened mood, and many of the warriors surrounded their fallen laird at a distance. Some had even dropped to their knees to pray.
“Alex?” Maddie brushed his long locks away from his face and kissed his forehead. “Alex, come back to me, please.” Her voice had broken into sobs. Jamie watched as his sire reached for her hand and squeezed it, though it was obvious he had no strength.
“Fine…, Maddie. I’ll be fine. Do not…worry.” His eyes closed again.
Jake asked, “Aunt Caralyn?”
She looked at Uncle Robbie and Uncle Brodie and shook her head. “I…‘tis naught I can… Healing a belly wound is beyond my abilities. I’m sorry.”
Maddie screamed and rested her head on her husband’s chest.
Jamie whispered, “How long before he’s dead?”
“Not long,” Caralyn said. “Mayhap a day.”
They finally get Alex to Jennie…
As soon as Jamie arrived inside the Cameron gates, Aunt Jennie flew out to Alex’s side, oblivious to everyone but Alex and Maddie in the cart. Alex and Jennie held a special relationship, and they were all witnesses to it.
“Alex. Please, Alex. Wake up, open your eyes for me.” She jiggled his shoulder but he did not move. “Alex!”
“Maddie, how long has he been like this? When was the last time he opened his eyes?”
