She did. “Aye.”
“Good.”
She felt something shift off her as Angus let out a grunt of effort. Belatedly, she lent him her assistance, cringing at the pain knifing through her head yet again.
“That’s better,” he said, running his hand over her shins. “Lucky for ye, another rock supported the stone on yer legs, or it wouldha broken them.” Angus shifted around in the dark. “Take my hand, lass, and I’ll help ye sit up. There’s just enough room above us to do that.”
Shona flailed around until she felt Angus’s big hand grasp hers, then groaned as he pulled her to sitting. The pounding in her head pulsed in her blood and spread throughout her body.
“I’ve got ye, lass. Here, lean on me. I ken ye are frightened, but help will be here soon.” He pulled her into his embrace. “Ye must be cold.”
“Aye, I am. Mostly my head hurts.” Shona snuggled into Angus’s heat, grateful to be in his arms. Grateful he still lived. She cast around, listening to the rescuers, trying to sense the extent of the disaster. Angus’s fingers explored her head, and she hissed when they found a lump at the back.
“Sorry, lass,” he murmured and left off.
Excited voices shouted commands Shona could use. Shehelpedand was rewarded when a cheer went up, and a childish voice started coughing at the same time a woman started sobbing. Good, one lad free. How many others?
As soon as they quieted, Angus called out. “Brodric! Shona and I are here.”
“Laird!” Brodric’s shout answered Angus. “Finally! Are ye hale?”
“Aye, we’re fine. Take care of the others first. Someone fetch Craig.”
“Already done, laird. We’ll have ye out of there soon!”
“How bad is it?”
“Bad enough I sent Cathal to the Aerie to fetch more men. And their healer.”
“Aileana? Nay.”
“If she comes, she’ll be able to help. There’s work for her here.”
Angus muttered, “Damn it, the Lathan laird and lady are coming to our rescue again.”
“Is that so bad?” Shona asked.
“As little as I like it, until we are free, I’ve no way to judge whether Brodric did what is needful or overreacted.”
“Trust yer friend, Angus.”
