Page 69 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

The nightmare in which Muriel had been trapped for weeks had finally turned into a dream. She could hardly believe that she was free to do as she pleased, to marry Liam and spend the rest of her life with him instead of a man that she hated with every part of her soul. But she couldn’t help but feel bad for her stepsister who would have to be married to him. She wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone, not even her worst enemy.

Once they were out of the great hall, Muriel pulled Liam aside; eager to get a few moments alone with him. She found an empty corridor around the corner and pressed him against the wall, kissing him. She was so happy, so relieved, that she couldn’t help herself. It was only when Liam made a soft, pained sound that she stopped; pulling back and searching his face for any sign of distress.

“What is it?” she asked. “Are ye hurt? Did Macleod—”

“Just me arm, lass,” Liam said; his hand coming up to press against a wound that Muriel hadn’t noticed before. Now that she looked at his sleeve, she could not only see the slash in the fabric but also all the blood that had soaked through it. With all the dirt that was on Liam’s clothes, the blood had hardly shown through the brown fabric.

“Why didnae ye say somethin’?” she asked; her voice jumping an octave higher as she panicked. “Come, I must get ye to the healer.”

Muriel began to drag Liam by his uninjured hand as she spoke, but she couldn't get him to move a step. When she glared at him, he smiled and drew her back close to his chest, kissing her once more.

“I’m alright,” he said. “It’s nae a deep cut. I’ll go to the healer, I promise, but there’s nae need to rush.”

Muriel wanted to argue but when her head rested against Liam's chest, she couldn't help but sigh softly and close her eyes. She felt at home in his arms, as if she had always belonged there. Even though they had only been in Barra for a short time, it felt like years since she had last embraced him without fear of being discovered and punished.

“I cannae believe that we can get married noo,” she said softly; tilting her head up to look at Liam. “After everythin’ that happened, I never thought that this day would come.”

“I promised ye, did I nae?” Liam said. “I told ye I never break me promises.”

It was true, Liam had repeatedly promised her that he would do whatever it took to keep her away from Macleod, and he had delivered. Muriel was relieved that the only injury he had received was on his arm. There were moments during that duel when she had thought he would lose and she didn't know what she would have done if he had died right in front of her eyes.

She would have probably killed Macleod herself; blinded by her rage.

“Have ye heard anythin’ about yer maither?” Liam asked. With everything that had happened, Muriel had forgotten that her mother had escaped the keep but now the need to find her was overwhelming. She pulled back from Liam, only holding onto his hands, eyes wide with concern.

“Nae, I dinnae ken where she is,” she said. “Are ye certain that she escaped?”

“I only helped her out of her room. She said she would be fine on her own and sent me to find ye,” Liam said. “Dinnae fash, yer maither seems like a capable woman. I’m sure she’s fine.”

Muriel knew that to be true but that didn’t mean that nothing had gone wrong. Suddenly, the only thing on her mind was to find her.

“I… I must go find her, Liam,” she said. “I’ll take ye to the healer and then—”

“Nae need,” Liam said; as he started to pull her toward the door. “Let’s go find her noo.”

“Ye cannae come with me!” Muriel said; digging her heels into the ground to stop him. “Yer wound—”

“It’s fine,” Liam interrupted once more. “It’s a mere scratch, Muriel, and it’s already stopped bleedin’. I promise ye that once we find her, I’ll take care of me arm.”

Muriel hesitated, but she couldn't afford to waste any more time, especially if her mother was still alive. She let Liam lead her out of the keep, then followed him all the way down the hill before she took over since he didn't know how to get to her mother's house. She came to a halt when she saw it in the distance, her eyes welling up with tears.

“What is it?” Liam asked, concern lacing his voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothin’,” Muriel said. “I havenae been here in so long. It’s just like I remember it.”

Muriel forced her legs to move once more, at the same time wanting to reach the croft to find her mother and wanting to delay it in case she wasn’t there. She didn’t know if she was ready to find out the truth if that truth was not a pleasant one.

But when they got to the house, the door swung open before Muriel could knock and her mother pulled her into her arms; already sobbing in relief. There was a sword in one of her hands and Muriel couldn’t help but wonder where she had even found it. She probably stole it to feel safe after her escape, Muriel thought.

“What happened?” Ailis asked worriedly. “Did ye escape?”

“Nae need to escape,” Liam assured her when Muriel couldn’t speak – too choked up to get the words out. “We came to an agreement. Muriel and I are free to do as we please.”

Muriel couldn't help but laugh through her tears when Ailis let go of her to pull Liam into a hug instead. She and her mother listened as Liam explained everything that had happened, from the moment he helped Ailis escape to the moment they left the keep and she couldn't believe it had all happened in the course of one night.

“Thank ye,” her mother told him. “Thank ye for everythin’ ye’ve done for me bairn.”