Page 120 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

Dropping into the chair by the table, he remained silent for a long moment, frowning and staring into the fire.

He needed more time, didn’t he? Time to think it over.

"I know not what else to say." She could ask his forgiveness a hundred times, but that would only annoy him.

"You've said enough." He grabbed the bottle of whisky and poured some into the small glass.

A dark, leaden weight settled in her chest, and she moved toward the door. "Very well, then."

"Wait," he growled.

She glanced back at him.

He took a sip of the whisky, swallowed, then glared at her. "I forgive you, damn it," he grated.

Stunned by his words, she frowned. "Something tells me you're lying."

"I'm trying," he muttered and downed the rest of the dram. He swallowed and set down the glass with a thunk. "I'm trying to learn how to forgive. I cannot climb a mountain as high as Ben Nevis all in one night, especially with this injury and blood loss."

He'd drunk too much. Regardless, she understood his meaning. She could not blame him. She was just thankful he'd taken the first step by saying he forgave her, even if he didn't mean it.

Nodding, she left the room.

***

BRODIE GLARED AT THE door when it clicked shut behind Elsea. Had he just told her he forgave her? Damnation! Was it true? Had he? He'd thought his rage was a permanent tattoo on his heart.

Had the witch truly tortured Elsea with such terrifying images and experiences? He didn't doubt it, but did that justify Elsea's actions?

Sucking in a deep breath, he glanced at the walls around him. He needed out of here. He needed to shift and swim in the sea. That was the only freedom. Since selkies healed far faster than humans, mayhap if he shifted for a few minutes, 'twould restore his strength. But first, he had to get down to the cave. Wait. Where was his sealskin? When he'd been severely injured and near passing out, his guards had helped him. What had they done with it?

Rising and dizzily making his way to the door, he yanked it open, intending to find the two guards in question. Elsea stood in the corridor, her back against the wall. She jerked to attention, her eyes reddened.

The sight of her in pain ravaged him. He wanted to comfort her but....

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"My sealskin," he said. "Do you ken where it is?"

She nodded. "I have it."

"How?" His brain felt addled, and naught made sense.

"When the guards carried you in, you were passed out and wearing it on the lower half of your body. Your ma almost had an apoplexy."

"At least I was covered."

"Finnian took it off you and gave it to me for safekeeping."

"Well, I thank you then. Can you bring it to me?"

Her eyes widened. "Surely you're not going to swim in the sea now."

"Nay, but I need to shift. I want to see if that will help me recover faster."

"In your chamber?"

He nodded.