Page 38 of Highlander’s Evil Side

He watched her take in a shuddering breath. She wiped her eyes, her nose. Her hands were trembling. His gaze narrowed on the bruise forming on her wrist. Where had she received such an injury? Anger boiled within him, his hands clenched by his sides.

“I was worried when I saw the villagers arriving,” Beitris said, her voice soft. “I went to find someone, to see what could be done. I stumbled upon yer mother’s chambers. She was with,” Beitris lifted her gaze to him, “she was with ye. Ye were discussing the wedding.”

Fraser’s mother knew this man, but how? “Why?” he asked, his voice harsh.

Beitris shook her head. “I don’t know. He wanted to know the date of our wedding.” She sniffed, her face breaking while a hand clamped against her mouth. “He kissed me. He was just like the man from the garden: forceful, uncaring, dominating.” She sobbed, shaking her head and meeting Fraser’s gaze. “He wasn’t ye, but he looked just like ye.”

Beitris reached for him, and Fraser didn’t wait. He rushed towards her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his lap. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her tears soaked his leine, but he did not care.

“Ssh,” he shushed gently, his hands stroking her back. “Yer fine. I’m here, now.”

“He was so cruel,” she sobbed, her whole body trembling in his arms.

Fraser nuzzled her cheek. “But it wasn’t me. It wasn’t.”

“I feel like I am going mad.”

“Yer not,” Fraser whispered softly. He grabbed her chin, gently lifting her gaze to his. “The villagers said I burned their homes to the ground.”

Beitris’s eyes widened. “When?”

“This morn.”

Her mouth opened and closed, her body straightening away from his. “But, ye were with me? How is that possible?”

Fraser shook his head. “I do not know.”

Beitris’s eyes widened. “There is someone who looks like ye.”

Fraser nodded. “Aye, there is.” He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It must have been him. Who else could it have been when I was with ye?”

“But-but, how? Did ye have a brother? A cousin?”

“I do not know.” Fraser frowned. He had cousins, but none of them looked exactly like him. There were family resemblances, but not enough to confuse others. “I’m an only child. My mother only ever had me. They wouldn’t hide a child. Someone would have known. My father was a good man. My mother is a good woman. They wouldn't—” He grimaced, his skin prickling with fear.

“Maybe a changeling has been sent to take yer place as laird,” Beitris asked while stroking her chin. “I have read about changelings before. However, usually, the fae take babes, not grown men.”

Fraser looked up at her, his eyes widening with fear, "Perhaps, I have angered the fae of the highlands. I have been away for far too long.”

Beitris placed a hand on his, her expression turning solemn. "But, then, why would a changeling know yer mother? Perhaps, he’s a simple mortal man. A relation of yers ye have never come to meet?”

Fraser scowled. "I do not know, but I shall find out at once."

“Nae, ye mustn’t.” Beitris bounded from the bed, running in front of him and slamming the door closed. She leaned against it, her eyes wide with fear and her face pallid. “If she was with this man, alone while ye were caring for yer people, then she could warn him of ye.”

Fraser’s shoulders slumped. "I want to get to the bottom of this, Beitris. I want to know the truth. I don’t like how this man kissed ye, and my mother did naething.”

“I’m telling ye to think wisely, Fraser,” she whispered, closing the distance between them. She stroked his cheek, and he leaned into the touch, enjoying the small warmth she provided to his chilled body. “I don’t want to lose ye.” Her brow furrowed, and her gaze narrowed on the injury to his head. "What are ye doing in my chambers in the first place? I thought I told ye to visit the healer.”

Fraser sighed, a soft smile taking hold of him. “I wanted to tell ye what happened. I wanted yer advice as to what I should do.”

Beitris blinked back at him. Her hand stilled on his cheek, surprise filling her gaze. "Ye wanted my advice?”

Fraser nodded. “I know yer brave and intelligent.” He chuckled. “I saw as much at the falls when ye were busy throwing those rocks at the brigands.”

“I thought ye saw me as inferior,” Beitris whispered. “I thought that was the reason why ye had me stay.”

Fraser shook his head. “Nae. I could never think ye inferior, Beitris. Yer the strongest lass I know. And I need yer help with this. Now, more than ever."