She took a left turn and raced past the thick shrubs of bushes that scraped against her skin. She slowed her steps when she reached a cliff and then glanced over her shoulder and saw two men running towards her.
“Dinnae take another step!” one of them yelled as he slowed down and came to an abrupt stop behind her.
His eyes were a shade of green that could easily make any woman swoon. They had an intense effect on her, one that rattled her insides and made her sway on her feet. When her pulse picked up its pace again, she stifled it by sucking in air.
Lily shook her head to get rid of the effect the man’s eyes had on her when she stared at him again. “Back away, or I’ll take the leap,” she warned when he took one cautious step towards her.
“If ye jump, ye will die,” he said to her in a calmer tone this time. “My intention isnae to kill ye…”
Lily almost believed him before a wicked smirk lifted the corner of his lips and he added, “Yet.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “So, you intend to just kidnap me? Keep me as your captive and probably a slave? Is that supposed to be a better option?”
“Ye’re English?” His brows furrowed together as the question tumbled out of his lips.
Lily caught the surprising glare in his eyes that lasted only a second before they narrowed into tiny slits that shot arrows at her again.
“I thought we have been through this with you Highland clans? A lady isn’t cursed, or evil, or unfitting for a lady just because she’s English. She is simply blind. Why do you all seem so intent on killing her for something that is not her fault? She did not do this to herself. She has done nothing to deserve this!”
He frowned now, and his eyebrows scrunched up before his lips formed a tight line. “What are ye sayin’?” He had a genuine, confused expression on his face. She almost believed he did not understand what she spoke of. “What curse?”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Do not pretend like you know not what I speak of,” she retorted before glancing over the edge of the cliff to check the distance of her fall.
Lucky enough for her, there was a river down there, and if she jumped with the right force, she could land in the water.
Hopefully, it is not a shallow one.
She made a move to jump, but her captor yelled out immediately with a panicked tone that made her pause again, “Dinnae jump!”
His panicked voice made her pause for only a moment. When she stared into his eyes again, there was a solemn look there.
And a wild one too. Like he is scared for me.
“Just take a step back to me slowly… I willnae hurt ye.”
Lily scoffed before a harsh laugh tore out of her lips. “Am I supposed to believe that?”
“I willnae hurt ye,” he insisted.
Lily still shook her head adamantly. “I do not believe a word you say. I’d rather die here than let you take me with you. I will not become a burden to her ladyship.” Her throat burned as she added fiercely, “Or your slave.”
“What in heaven’s name are ye talkin’ about again?” he queried, relaxing his stance a little as he brushed his hands over his hair. “I dinnae care for the lady… I dinnae care that she is blind either. I came for ye.”
It was Lily’s turn to sound confused. “Me?” she stuttered and drew away from the cliff’s edge a little. “Why would you want me? I am a nobody.”
“Whatever it is that ye are, I dinnae care.” He motioned for her to come to him. “Come here, or I swear to the heavens when I have ye tied up—and trust me, I will—ye willnae be able to speak or see till we reach my clan.”
It occurred to Lily then that she could at least find out who her captors were for when she finally made her escape, because she was certain she would. Her years of training and learning to fight were so that she could always protect herself and her mistress from vile men like her kidnapper.
Aware of the dagger still hidden in the stockings she always wore underneath her clothes, she took another fighting stance, tilted her chin high, and stared him right in the eye. “No. I will not go with you. Never.”
“Ye feisty little thin’,” he rasped, lurching towards her with a speed that would mean the end of her escape, but Lily moved faster and took a leap, launching her entire weight off the cliff so she could land in the water.
“Nay!” she heard him scream just before her ears nearly exploded with the force of her landing into the water.
Lily was also a great swimmer. Yvaine had taught her as much since she had come here.
She let her body sink into the river, thankful that it wasn’t a shallow one, then she drew in strength so she could push her weight upwards, towards the surface again.
