Rolling off of her and falling onto his sideof their bed, Lachlan pulled Veronica onto his chest as theirbreathing returned to normal. She smiled against his skin, lovingthe familiar scent of him. “Damn,” she told him, her voice a rasp.“That was incredible. I’ll have to start wearing one of my circletsa lot more often.”
“You bewitch me, woman,” Lachlan mused.
“I’m sorry.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Dinna besorry for I am grateful.”
She raised her head and grinned up at him.“You bewitch me too. And I love it.”
They slept that night in each other’s arms.No bad dreams or flashbacks. No fear or anxiety. No crying out inthe middle of the night, forgetting she was safe. Just a happypeacefulness they shared together.
Veronica never thought she would know thislevel of comfort and security, but was appreciative she did. Shedreamt of Lachlan and, more specifically, of the love she carriedinside for him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lachlan watched his wife pace aboot Victor’sbedchamber as they all awaited his verdict. Victor was seated athis bureau, gazing into one of his future mechanisms. He addedboiling tar to the flesh he’d collected from the resurrected dead.Veronica continued to pace as Lachlan stoically took in the scene.His mum and sister were seated at the small table within thebedchamber.
“For the love of the saints, Victor,” Moirafinally harrumphed. “Just tell us did it work or doesthat…that…abomination still live?” She patted her silver-streakedraven hair. “’Tis unsettling to have that thing in my home.”
“Really Victor,” Veronica added. She stoppedher pacing and placed a hand on her hip. “Either it’s dead oralive. Which is it?”
“Everybody give me a minute,” Victor saiddistractedly, his attention on his work.
It had taken two days to gather theingredients for the tar and boil it down to Victor’sspecifications. ‘Twas another day afore they figured out how to geta wee bit of tar up to Victor’s bedchamber whilst keeping thesticky stuff still boiling. Many attempts later, here they nowwaited.
In truth, Lachlan was feeling as anxious ashis mum and wife, though mayhap for differing reasons. Douglass andCameron were yet to return after all. Whether due to the snowyconditions outside or a decimated Campbell holding he dinna ken. Heneeded to be prepared for both scenarios. If the boiled tar dinnawork then Victor would have to concoct something else. Lachlanprayed to the saints it worked for he dinna wish to be furtherdelayed.
At last his brother-within-the-law looked upand turned in his chair. “It works,” he said, a smile forming onhis lips. “It’s definitely dead.”
“Praise the saints,” Moira muttered,crossing herself.
“Aye,” Catriona concurred. “’Tis an evil nowgone from here.”
“You’re absolutely certain?” Veronica asked.“Like one hundred percent?”
“Yes.” Victor nodded. “One hundred percentcertainty.”
Lachlan frowned thoughtfully. “’Tis good,that. Now that we ken how to kill their flesh I needs must go tothe Campbells and find Douglass and Cameron. Mayhap ‘tis but theharsh winter keeping them gone, but—”
“Not until morning,” Veronica pleaded withhim. “I will go with you tomorrow, but it’s cold enough duringdaylight much less riding out as the sun is setting.”
Lachlan dinna wish to have this argument.“My warriors have been gone three days and eves. I must leave thesoonest.”
“You know I’m going with you whether weleave tonight or tomorrow morning,” Veronica said, frowning.“There’s little sense in leaving now. I don’t mean to sound cold,but what’s done is done. One more night isn’t going to matter. Notto mention it’ll be safer for us to go during the daylight. Ifanyone at the Campbells has turned, they are easier to kill whenthe sun is up.”
“She speaks the truth,” Victor said, lookingat Lachlan. “When they come back from the dead, they are more likeanimals—predators—than humans. They hunt better than humans can atnight because they see and hear and smell better than we can.”
Frustrated, Lachlan half-sighed andhalf-growled. “Fine!” he barked. “We shall ride in the morn.”
Veronica’s relief was palpable. Mayhap ‘twasbetter this way if it eased his wife’s mind a wee bit. “I promiseyou have made the safest choice for everyone involved.”
He inclined his head, but said nothing.
“We’ve yet to supper,” Moira chimed in. “Letus retire to the great hall lest we keep the servants up late intothe eve.”
He dinna feel like eating. He wanted toride. Leastways, Veronica’s peace of mind remained his priority.“Fine. Let us eat.”
*****
