“Put yer foot here.” He pointed to the first notch. “Wait. That willnae work.” He rubbed his chin as he thought for a moment. What was the best approach to get them up there together? He could have her rest his feet on his and he could make the steps, but once they reached near the top, he wouldn’t be able to assist her getting over the lip. He would have to go first and guide her through.
“The best way to get ye up there, is if I climb up first. Then ye follow my instructions on where to put yer feet. Once ye are close enough to the top, I can lift ye the rest of the way.”
She eyed him cautiously, her teeth worrying her bottom lip, afore looking around at their surroundings. “How do I ken ye willnae abandon me here?”
“Hey.” He tipped her chin up with his finger so their eyes could meet. “Whye’er would I bring ye all this way only to leave ye alone?”
Alana shrugged. “Ye wouldnae be the first to do so.”
The words she spoke hurt, hitting him right in the heart. She had been put through a trial this past sennight. And all for duty to her family. Rory admired her dedication, but he was sad to see the toll it was taking on the lass.
Her eyes shined with unshed tears. She was scared. Frightened tobe left alone. He may be an arse, but he would never do such a thing.
“Look at me. Am I happy to make this journey? As I have said, nay. I have no qualms admitting to that. But I have a duty. An honor to escort ye safely to yer destination. I fulfill my duties—always. And that doesnae include leaving ye to fend for yerself alone in the woods.”
Alana’s shoulders sagged in relief.
“Now, let us climb this ledge afore we anger the fae and they appear and create havoc.”
Her eyes widened. “Is that what they do?”
He chuckled. “I have ne’er been given the chance to find out. I have only heard the stories. But let us no’ test that theory.” He bent so their gazes were at the same level. “Agreed?”
She nodded.
“Right. Watch where I step into the notches. Ye will need to do the same for the first few. After that, I can pull ye up the rest of the way.”
Her teeth pulled at her lip, but she nodded.
He made quick work of the climb, speaking the whole time. Letting Alana ken exactly what he was doing and why. Once he was atop, he laid on his stomach and hung his hands down. “Hold on to the bumps in the rock, then put yer right foot in the lowest notch. Yer left foot in the next one.” He paused, waiting. Watching.
Alana was pure concentration, her tongue tucked into the corner of her mouth. An action that was affecting Rory’s body in the most unsuspecting way that he was taken off guard. And his mind. Visions of the two of them climbing and hiking through the Highlands flooded his mind. Distracting him. So much so, that when Alana had done as she was told, she had to ask him what to do next. His body and his mind had betrayed him. Why? Why here? Whyher? It wasn’t something he could dwell on now.
“Move yer hands up and grasp the next bumps. Dinnae look down,” he added quickly as he noticed what she was going to do. He was unsure if heights made her stomach turn, but he didn’t want tofind out in the middle of her climbing a ledge because he wouldn’t be able to stop her from falling. “Keep yer eyes focused on the ledge or me. That’s it. Ye can drag yer foot up and yer boot will find the next notch. Good. Now do the same with yer left foot.”
She was gritting her teeth and he kenned it was from the pain of the blisters on her feet. Even though she had wrapped them this morn, the wrapping would only protect the wounds from further irritation, but did naught for the pain.
“Only one more sequence of steps and then ye will be close enough for me to pull ye up the rest of the way.”
Alana nodded and repeated the steps she had done moments afore. Once she finished he reached out to her. “Give me yer hand.”
Alana’s gaze clashed with his. Fierceness blazed in the depths of her hazel eyes. Brilliant pools that held flecks of amber and threatened to suck him in. To trap him in their whirlpool and drag him under. Rory took a deep breath to clear his mind.
Her hand reached out to his, her fingertips grazing his, before she cried out and grasped the bump in the rock. “I cannae reach. Ye are too far.”
Moving further over the ledge, he urged her to try again. “Listen to me?” He said gently, locking his eyes with hers.
She nodded.
“Take my hand.” He gestured it toward her, fingers splayed, palm out.
Biting her lip, she swung her hand up, and this time Rory closed his hand over hers with a smile. “Now yer other one.” She did as she was told and he pulled her up. The lass was light as a feather and the task was easy enough.
Once he had her over his shoulder, she scrambled over him and onto the flat surface of the ledge, breathing heavily. They stood at the same time, and she lost her footing. Her eyes wide as she began to fall backward, clutching at his arm, panic clear on her face.
He moved quickly, grasping her shoulders, and pulling her in toward him.
She didn’t scream and once again, he found himself in awe of her strength.
