“Nay, I’m nae,” Flora said quickly, dropping her voice down lower to keep from being overheard. “We cannae outrun them in this state, and I doubt we’d be able to even if we werenae tired.”
“So we follow along with their instructions,” Gabriella said quietly. “Whatever they have planned… it cannae be worse thanwhat we went through. I daneae think there’s anythin’ that could be worse than that.”
“Aye,” Flora agreed, stiffening when Laird McGowan’s attention shifted to them once again. It felt as if there was a vice around her throat.
“Well,” Lucas said, walking over to them, showing no indication that he’d heard their conversation, more focused on the cavalry surrounding them, “I’ll have me healer look ye over when we get to the castle. She’s a skilled woman and gentle with all of her patients. I think ye will like her.”
Flora gave another sharp nod, grateful that the rest of Lucas’ men were finally here. She’d be able to fade into the background easily. No one would ask her questions yet. They’d be more concerned with the details of their escort.
“Give me yer report,” Lucas said, his voice firm. He didn’t move away from her though.
“The castle nearby is compromised. As are the surroundin’ towers. They’ll need a more thorough search once we get the women to safety. I’ve already discussed this with Darragh,” a man that Flora didn’t recognize said. “I’ve spoken with the innkeeper, and the prisoners are bein’ held there.”
Lucas grunted, stepping forward. His shoulders were squared, and Flora shrank away from the palpable anger. “They’re stayin’ at theinn? Do these men deserve that kind of comfort? Ye’ll go back and see to it that they’re properly restrained. Surely there’sa cellar. I daenae care if it’s small; that’s where they’ll be kept. In fact, I’d prefer it to be small. That’s still more than they deserve.”
“Aye, Laird McGowan,” the man said, bowing his head slightly. “We dinnae specify where they be taken, but they’re tied up.”
“At least ye’ve done somethin’ right,” Lucas said with a growl. “Now, get back there immediately.” Then, he turned away, focusing on the rest of his men. “Hector, ye’ll be ridin’ with one of these women.” He paused, shifting as his eyes scanned the crowd. Flora didn’t see who he was pointing to, but he firmly said, “Ye two will also take one. Ensure they’re safe. We will speak again once they’re settled.”
“Aye, Me Laird,” they all said in unison, immediately moving to their horses to prepare.
“The rest of ye,” Lucas continued, marching toward the other men who were gathered and waiting for instructions. “Ye will ride on the sides and behind those of us transportin’ the girls. Keep an eye out for bandits and anyone who may cause them harm. The journey will be issue-free. Do ye understand?”
“Aye, Me Laird,” they said in unison before they started to make their preparations.
Flora’s eyes fell closed again as the men began shuffling around, the exhaustion threatening to take her away from consciousness. It came in waves, the bone-crushing heaviness that was born from the last several months of her life. She desperately wanted to get somewhere that she could safely rest, but even if she wasable to make herself speak, she wouldn’t voice the request. The last thing that she wanted to do was come off as demanding or do anything that could sacrifice the safety of her friends.
“Ye’ll be with me,” Laird McGowan said, his voice cutting through the fog as his hand came down on her shoulder softly. His light but firm touch still made her jump despite how careful he was being. “We’re leavin’.”
She nodded a little numbly, not quite understanding how he was going to transport her. There wasn’t a carriage here, nor were there any extra horses. Even if there were, it wasn’t as if she’d ever had the opportunity to learn how to ride. Perhaps she should have been paying attention to the conversation.
Her feet shuffled along the ground as he led her to his horse. Then, without warning, she was picked up by the waist and deposited into the saddle. She didn’t even get a chance to orient herself to her new position before he joined her.
Lucas’s body was solid against hers. His arms bracketed her torso as he took hold of the reins. She felt each breath he took as his chest pressed firmly against her back. He was so close that she couldn’t ignore the raw strength that he kept hidden beneath his clothes, and at the moment, that strength was directed at keeping her safe.
Me head’s spinnin’... Is it from him or the past few days?
“The journey will take a few hours,” Lucas said against Flora’s ear. “I apologize for the distance, but I promise ye the road is nae too bumpy.”
The girl, Flora, nodded in response. She still hadn’t spoken, but he was fairly certain that exhaustion had stolen her voice. The poor thing had nearly fallen asleep on her feet waiting for them to leave.
Still, he longed to hear her voice again, if only so he could make arrangements to get her to her family.
“When we get back to me castle, me cook will want to feed ye,” he said after a few moments of silence punctuated only by the sound of hooves against the ground. “So, if ye’ve got a favorite dish, just tell me, and I’ll make sure me kitchen has the ingredients on hand.”
He may have cited the cook wanting to feed her, but in reality, it was his own protective desire. As he tightened his fingers in the reins, bringing his elbows in, he could tell she wasn’t just small but malnourished. It spoke of a kind of neglect that went deeper than just the hunt, and he was determined to erase all of that hurt.
Digging his heels into the side of his stallion, Lucas pushed them forward. He’d instructed his men to follow, and he didn’t need to watch over them to know they would.
“Ye ken,” he said, no longer expecting a response from her—he probably wouldn’t get one until after she rested, “it’s quite impressive that ye were willin’ to go toe to toe with me. I respect that, Flora. I meant what I said when I called ye a fighter. Though I’m surprised ye dinnae curse at me when I picked ye up. I’d expect it from someone as spirited as ye.”
Ach, I’d welcome bein’ cursed if it meant I got to hear her voice again. She dinnae even tell me her name. If the others hadnae been concerned about whether or nae she was hurt, I still wouldnae ken.
“Ye must be tired, aye?” Lucas asked, his mouth still dangerously close to her ear. This time, he felt a shudder go up her spine, and a treacherous part of him wondered if that was from something other than fear. He stamped it out immediately. She was afraid, and this proximity couldn’t be helping soothe her. “After I get ye to me castle and ye get yer wounds clean, ye can sleep.”
She nodded, which seemed to be her only means of communication, the movement a little sluggish. Her body stiffened a bit as the horse picked up speed, pressing her more firmly against his chest. When he brought his elbows in tighter, straightening her out and supporting her form, steadying her as the scenery passed them by, she didn’t relax at all. The closeness was most certainly difficult for her.
As they passed by the village, Flora sank further into him reluctantly. She must have been hiding herself from the prying eyes of the villagers. Word would have spread quickly after his men brought members of the hunt to the inn, and now, these people who lived normal and uneventful lives wanted to gawk at them as they passed by.
