Page 55 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

Ava helped them transfer their laird from the stretcher to his bed, shifting him onto his side as not to disturb the wound. She grabbed a few pillows and placed them behind his back to keep him from rolling onto his wound.

“Thank ye,” she said to the soldiers. “I can manage it from here.”

They nodded and left the room as one of the maids came in carrying a basin of fresh water and linen. A brown basket swung from her arm as she walked. “Angus said ye would be wanting supplies for the laird, my Lady,” she said as she placed the apparel on the bedside table. “I will be checking in now and again tae see if ye have everything ye need. Hamish has also instructed the food and ale from the study tae be brought in here in for sustenance. I will have one of the other maids help with that as soon as possible,” the young girl curtsied and shut the door behind her as she left the room.

Ava heaved a sigh of relief as she sat on the edge of the bed and pushed the dirty hair from his face.

Boyd groaned slightly with pain as he slept.

Reaching for the brown basket, Ava uncorked a small vile and gave a sniff. When she was sure of the contents, she placed it on his lips and tilted his head slightly back. Boyd swallowed the liquid without any hassle before groaning in pain once again.

Her heart clenched with panic and fear at the sight. Reaching for the clothes and dipping them in the heated water, Ava wrung them out and began to wipe the dirt and blood from his face. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she cleaned his bruised skin.

It had felt like her entire world was about to collapse when she’d heard his name down in the basement. The sight of his limp body on the stretcher made her heart stop for a moment. It was then that she’d realized she couldn’t lose this man. She would have to think of another way to appease the beast who wanted him dead and get her brother back.

Perhaps she could find out who he was and settle the matter without Boyd losing his life. But that would probably mean she would have to tell Boyd the truth and risk him throwing her in the dungeons or sending her away. There wasn’t enough time to do an investigation on her own. Not even Skye or Sophie would be able to help her this time.

Ava began to sob as she stared down at his sleeping face once it was clean, unable to withstand the sorrow and helplessness she felt at almost losing him.

She sank to her knees beside the bed and cried into the blankets.

She feared there was no possible way she could save the man she loved. She was saving his life just so that he could lose it again by her own hand.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The lighting helped the room swim into focus as Boyd opened his eyes. Blinking a few times and allowing his eyes to adjust from the darkness he’d been seeing since he’d passed out on the battlefield. He quickly realized through the fog that he was lying in his bed.

The fire in the hearth had burned down to embers and the candles were just about to go out. Boyd guessed it had to be the middle of the night. The table in his room was filled with the food and ale and he recognized them as the ones that had been in the study. The maids must have thought he might be hungry if he woke in the night.

Boyd tried to move. But a sharp pain in his back made him freeze on the spot. He looked to his side, only to notice that his waist was covered in bandages. Running his hand across the cloth, he paused at the complex node that had been tied just above his right hip.

It strongly resembled the node that had been tied by the healer in the forest when he’d injured his ribs.

I wonder if she came up tae help, Rory could have gone and fetched her. Boyd thought of the healer that had saved his life once before. It wouldn’t have made sense if Rory had fetched her again. But she was the only one he knew who could bind a wound with skill and precision like he’d never seen before.

He winced again from the pain of moving and turned back to his side. It was then that he noticed Ava at the side of his bed, silently slumbering by his side.

She was resting with her head on her arms, sound asleep. Her face was peaceful and serene, almost like the angel he’d seen in his dream on the way back to the castle.

Boyd smiled to himself when he spotted the ring on her hand. She must have stayed with me all this time… He felt lucky that a woman he had feelings for would show such care and dedication. It felt strange to admit that he even loved someone again. But there she was, sound asleep by his side. And he was sure he loved her.

Her dress was bloodied and ruined. And her hair was pulled back into a messy bun with strands falling down her back. She must have gone and helped with the injured men. His heart swelled with pride to think how kind and caring she was. Even if she’d disobeyed his wishes, her deeds spoke volumes for the character and strength she possessed. She was so different than any heiress he had ever met.

Boyd gently reached down and brushed the strands of hair from her face as she breathed deeply in her sleep. Her lashes were long and elegant laying against her cheeks. Even with messy hair and bloodied clothes, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. There was still something oddly familiar about her as he brushed her hair back into place. He could have sworn he’d seen that bun somewhere before. The way her lips felt against his was familiar and sweet. But wasn’t that what the poets were always writing about? That love from a soulmate becomes familiar, like you’ve known them all your life.

His thoughts were interrupted when Ava stirred and open her eyes, blinking just as he had done in the dim light.

“My Laird,” she said sleepily, straightening her back and looking around. “Ye are awake, what time is it?”

“I dinnae ken the time, lass,” Boyd smiled at the way she groggily rubbed her eyes. “I think it’s somewhere after midnight.”

“How are ye feeling?” Ava asked, her voice was still thick from with sleep. He loved the way her sweet voice sounded like that.

“I’ve been better, but I will live,” he gave her a reassuring smile.

She sat up straight and stretched before sitting on the edge of the bed and staring down at him. “I must have fallen asleep,” strands of her hair fell from her bun and framed her face.

“Och, dinnae think of that, Ava. Ye should have gone tae bed, or fallen asleep beside me here,” he took her hand in his.