Page 62 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Twenty-Six

Beitris

Beitris sighed as the warm water soaked through her chilled skin. She wiped the bar of soap over herself. Candles surrounded her room, dimly lighting the darkness surrounding her. The window was closed, yet she kept glancing at it, feeling something eerie prickle the back of her neck. Lately, she had been feeling more and more on edge, wondering when Fraser’s double would make himself known. It had been too long. It had been too quiet. Although she knew she should be happy about it, she couldn’t help but think something terrible was about to happen.

She shook her head and turned away from the window, using the soap to scrub harder at her skin. The shadows from the flickering wick played over the walls, making Beitris’s insides clench with worry and her gaze move over her shoulder. Her bed stared back at her, empty with its crimson blankets and furs calling to her. No one stood there. No one was watching her.

Beitris released a sigh and leaned back against the tub. She stared up at the ceiling, wondering what Fraser had done this day, whom he spoke to, if he discovered anything more about his double.

“Yer body is not yer own, Beitris. Ye must obey Fraser if ye wish to have a happy marriage. Whether it is in the marital bed or out.”

Beitris grimaced as Helga’s words washed over her. It was exactly what Beitris feared when her father told her she was to be married—that her body was never hers to begin with, that she was to obey her husband, have no opinion differing from her husband’s. She did not think she could stand a marriage like the one Helga described, but she knew her Fraser, knew him to be a man of honor and a man who enjoyed her wit.

A creak sounded from her side, and Beitris flinched, jerking towards the sound. The water splashed around her, spilling over the edge of the tub. However, she was hardly aware of the mess when her eyes widened on the door, slightly ajar. The shadows beyond stared back at her, making her heart pound in her throat. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself as she reached for the towel lying near her on the chair.

“‘Tis just the wind,” she whispered while wrapping the cloth around her. She swallowed while stepping towards the door, knowing that couldn’t possibly be it. Tears prickled her eyes as she pulled the door further ajar, looking for a servant lingering nearby, yet there was none.

“Odd,” she breathed, her hand tightening on the cloth. The servant had said she would be nearby if Beitris needed anything.

"So where could the maid be now?” Beitris asked the darkness.

“I sent her away,” came a deep voice from behind.

Beitris gasped as she whipped around, finding Fraser standing behind her with a smirk on his lips. She wanted to scream, call for help, but the terror silenced her voice, swallowing up all the words she tried to release. Her hands shook as he stepped forward, his head tilting to the side, his gaze dipping to her white-knuckled grasp on her towel.

“Beitris, do not be afraid,” he whispers while reaching for her. “Tis me—”

Beitris slapped him. She slapped him so hard her palm stung with the pain. Her eyes widened as this Fraser before her grimaced, his cheek still facing her. His skin appeared red in the dim candlelight, even redder from her slap.

“Thank ye,” he whispered while slowly closing his eyes.

Beitris sighed in relief, her legs wobbling underneath her. She felt she might faint at any moment. Her body teetered, and Fraser turned towards her, grabbing her hand gently and pulling her into his arms.

“It’s me, Beitris,” he whispered in her damp hair. “I apologize for scaring ye.”

“I fear it was not all ye,” said Beitris, her body becoming limp in his arms. “I have been on edge these past few days.”

“Aye, so have I.”

Beitris allowed him to guide her to the bed, and they sat together on the edge, with her head on his shoulder while he stroked her hair. “Where were ye this morn? I saw ye in the courtyard, but ye were nowhere to be found before.”

Fraser chuckled, his arm pulling her closer to him. “Worried for me, were ye?”

Beitris nodded. “Of course.”

“To think not so long ago ye couldn’t stand me.”

Beitris perked up, and she scowled at him while poking her finger into his shoulder. “Please, ye thought much the same.”

“Nae,” said Fraser while grabbing her finger and leaning close. Beitris blinked at him, her breath coming faster as she waited for his lips to press against hers. Her heart fluttered when his gaze dipped to her mouth before meeting her stare once more. “I have always enjoyed yer company, Beitris. Rather,” he paused, a chuckle escaping him, “ye have always kept me on my feet.”

Beitris jutted out her chin. “It’s good ye think so. Most men I come to meet can hardly keep up.”

Fraser nuzzled her nose, breathing her in. Her heart faltered once more, and her eyes dropped to his lips, wanting them on hers once more. It had been too long since they were last alone together like this. Days, really, but she wished and longed for more of him, feeling as if at any point he would disappear and never return.

“We need to cancel the wedding,” said Fraser, drawing away from her. His hand slid away from hers while his gaze remained on the floor.

Beitris frowned, straightening while repositioning the towel around her. “What do ye mean? Word has been sent. Preparations have been made. My father—”