Chapter Twenty
Five days later,escorted by fifteen Sutherland soldiers, Kai resting on a makeshift sled pulled by Colin’s horse, they arrived in Lagrith. Miran was overjoyed to be back in Fraser and Mary’s comfortable cottage, where with special care, Kai’s strength would surely return. Twas a miracle he was alive at all.
She sat beside his bed spoon-feeding him a clear broth. “Doona fight me, Kai. Sip this broth.”
“I am not a babe, I am capable of feeding myself.”
“Ye are acting as a child would.”
“I am safeguarding my pride, woman.”
She chuckled.
“Give me the spoon.”
She held it out of reach. “Doona deprive me of the pleasure of taking care of ye.”
Sighing, he tasted the broth. “I am sorry for being in a foul mood.”
“I understand, Kai, ye almost died.” If he had, she dinna know what she would have done.
“Why are you crying?” He thumbed a tear from her cheek and the corners of his mouth tightened. “I have hurt you.”
“Nay, tis nothing ye have done. Tis only…” They hadn’t spoken about what had occurred yet. She dinna want to upset him unnecessarily. “It will keep.”
“Don’t hide your feelings from me. I want our lives together to be built on truth. You can confide in me, Miran.”
She blinked at him, assessing his appearance. Aye, he was nearly himself. The light had returned to his beautiful eyes and his color had improved immensely. “Cadha’s death fills my sleep. I see her face, hear her scream.”
Kai took her hand and squeezed it. His intense gaze raked across her face. “I have waited for you to speak of it.”
“Aye?”
He nodded. “Miran, there is something I must tell you. The poison rendered me motionless and muddled my mind, but I could see and hear everything that happened.”
She froze.Jesu.He’d watched her kill Cadha. She covered her face with her hands. “I-I doona know what to say.”
“Listen to me.”
Still she dinna look at him; she was too ashamed.
“Please.” He gently pulled her hands from her face. “You saved my life, Miran. And for that, I am forever indebted to you.”
“I would do it again if anyone threatened ye…” She sniffled. “But surely it changes things between us.”
“Nay.” He scooted closer, tugging her into his arms. “Ye are brave. A worthy woman any man would be proud to call his own. Ye must pray and ask your God for peace. Everyone loses a bit of their soul when they are forced to kill. I experienced the same feelings you have now after my first battle, and I killed four men.”
“Four?” Her eyes widened.
“Aye. I was sixteen and proud to fight beside my father.”
“So young.”
“But fighting on the side of righteous justice, as were you. God always punishes the wicked. Cadha deserved to die, and her family must be destroyed.”
She nodded. “Colin shared more details about the conditions in Cacalay. How Igor withholds food from the children if they doona follow his orders. Three have died this year alone. How the young women are beaten and shared with his men. Women who are not favored by Igor are starved slowly, whipped, and eventually drowned or banished. Tiva is fortunate she hasna been raped yet. My heart broke for her. But she is recovering now, warm clothes and wholesome food is a start.”
“I am happy to hear it. Tell me you understand what I’ve been saying, that you will not be so hard on yourself.”
