Page 42 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Beitris understood why he sent the others away. He didn’t know who to trust.

“Ye can trust me, Beitris,” said Scott gently. “I would do anything for Fraser.”

Beitris nodded. She cleared her throat, striding towards the empty chair in front of Fraser’s desk. “We believe,” she started, wincing when her voice came out hoarse. She cleared her throat and said in a commanding tone, “We believe there is a man pretending to be Fraser.”

“Another Fraser?”

Beitris nodded. “Aye. Possibly a changeling. However, we are not sure which.”

“But how?” Scott asked.

“We do not know,” said Fraser, moving to prop his elbows on the table. He rested his chin in his palms, his brows tenting in worry. “We believe my mother might know who or what he is.”

“Aye, another Fraser,” Scott breathed. “That would make more sense. I suppose ye can’t be in two places at the same time. So, what would ye have me do?” Scott asked while looking at Fraser. “Assuredly, this man will come after ye. He will want ye dead at some point. I don’t think ye should be alone.”

Fraser grimaced. “We should be thinking of Beitris’s safety. And the safety of my people.”

“Aye, and yer own."

“The man has attacked Beitris twice,” Fraser said sternly. “If anyone needs protection, it’s her.”

“And what if this man attacks ye?” Beitris said angrily.

Fraser frowned yet didn’t say anything. She knew it was only a matter of time before Fraser’s double attacked him. Scott was right. Fraser needed protection.

“I can speak with Kenneth and Gavin,” said Scott. “They can be trusted, and they will be careful. Ye know this is the only way, Fraser.”

Fraser sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked tired and in desperate need of a healer and a bath. His head still needed to be looked at; however, the healer was busy with the villagers, tending to their injuries.

“If ye have yer men watching me, who will watch Beitris?” Fraser asked.

Beitris smiled, leaning towards him. “I suppose ye will have to ensure I’m never alone, my laird.”

Fraser’s gaze heated, dipping to her lips before quickly lifting. Her smile widened, hardly aware of Scott standing near the door.

“If that is all,” Scott said, his voice slightly louder than needed, “then I will speak with Kenneth and Gavin at once. Inform me of any other discoveries, my laird.”

“Of course,” said Fraser, breaking his gaze with Beitris.

Beitris flushed as Scott left, hearing the click of the door behind her. The heat from her face dissipated as she thought of the double. “What should I do if he confronts me again?” she asked.

Fraser sighed as he lowered himself at her side. “Perhaps, we could say something only the two of us would know the answer to.”

Beitris smiled, recalling their first meeting in the courtyard. “I could smack ye.”

Fraser sputtered. “What?”

Beitris jutted out her chin, giggling at Fraser’s incredulous look. “Do ye remember when I smacked ye at yer first meeting?”

Fraser chuckled. “How could I possibly forget?”

She leaned towards him, reaching out a finger and poking his nose. “I could smack ye, and ye could say—”

“Thank ye,” Fraser finished for her.

Beitris chuckled, unable to look away from this man she had come to care for. She didn’t understand how it happened or why. They had such a difficult beginning and an even more difficult path ahead.

But she knew they would get through it together.