Page 140 of The Defiant Curse

* * * The Ravensmire Castle * * *

Scotland

Same Time

Mid-Morning

When they found her, she was standing by the fountain.

Oh, and she didn’t look happy.

In fact, if a look could say it all, hers showed how absolutely miserable she was.

And everyone felt bad for her too.

Moving closer, the two men flanked her, and protectively stood guard while trying to make her feel better.

“You okay, Boo?” Michael asked. “Because I can go punch Finn in the head for you if that makes you feel better. God knows I’ve wanted to slap him stupid since meeting him.”

She laughed softly.

“No, don’t do that. It’s not his fault. It just hit me hard with what he said. That’s all. I’ll be okay.”

Fishing coins from his pocket, he handed one to his husband, and one to her. Then, he nudged her with his elbow.

“Make a wish.”

Staring down at the coin, she watched both Michael and Graham make one, and then, she did too. Then, Elizabeth tossed the coin into the water.

Oh, and she hoped it came true.

“I’ll be okay,” she said. “I always am.”

And that was the problem.

Elizabeth had been forced to take care of herself far too long. She’d been the strong one, and now, when it was time to let someone else take the wheel, she was all alone.

That was what annoyed Michael. He’d never let Graham deal with something this monumental on his own. He’d be beside him in the trenches.

Yeah, he really hoped that Ethan handled this, because she was in freefall, and it sucked.

“What did you wish?” he asked.

Elizabeth didn’t hesitate.

“That for once, someone would save me,” she said. “Because I’m tired of rescuing the world, and never having the favor returned. I don’t know if I can do it anymore, Michael.”

He got it.

Again, he hoped Ethan didn’t fuck this up.

In that moment, he considered telling her that he was there, but he didn’t get a chance.

Someone cleared their throat.

When they turned, Finn and Gabby were there, and he looked worried.

“Hey, can I speak to you for a minute, Lass?” he asked. “Alone?”