Page 43 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“What now?”

“So, we cannae go back tae the castle. Nae yet.” Scarlett stilled. She started to feel a little faint from the loss of blood. Looking away from the wound, she breathed deeply, urging herself to keep a steady head.

“Then, where do we go?”

“I ken a place we can go. Judging by what’s coming, we need tae get there fast.”

“What’s coming?” she asked, confused. Noah nodded his head at a gap in the pine trees ahead, one that allowed them to see the sky.

Vast grey clouds rolled together, billowing as if great fires ripped across the land, filling the sky with smoke. Lightning flashed in the clouds, momentarily illuminating the land before all fell still.

“A storm is coming,” she whispered.

“Aye, so we need tae move fast.”

“Ye fear getting wet?” She couldn’t resist plaguing him as she looked at his clothes, soaked from the loch. He smiled faintly but didn’t rise to her teasing.

“In a storm, it will be easier for them to track us. They’ll find our trail and be able to follow us through the mud. Aye, we need tae get there fast.” He released her hand and clambered down from the bank.

“Where is there?” Scarlett inquired.

“Follow me.”

Scarlett stayed quiet and followed him. She decided to ignore her wound as much as she could. She didn’t complain of pain, and she didn’t once talk of it. Turning away from it, she focused on following Noah’s footsteps. The pain was distracting, but she tried her best to forget it.

“Aye, here it is.”

Noah pointed amidst a thicket of trees, prompting Scarlett to peer down at the base of a hill. Flush against the slope and between a copse of trees was a croft, its stone cottage covered in green moss on one side. The thatched roof was covered with crows pecking at the bugs living in the straw.

“How dae ye ken this place?” Scarlett whispered, looking at the barren cottage. Judging from the overgrown ivy around the doorway and ivy nearly covering the window spaces, it was some time since it had been occupied.

“It was abandoned many years ago when the old shepherd moved on. Ian and I used tae play here. We liked tae think we were the only ones who kent of it. Nae many dae.” Noah briefly surveyed the croft. Turning his head, he determined that no one was nearby before beckoning her into the house.

The door had to be forced open as the flora was so overgrown it was nearly fixed in place. Scarlett hurried inside, feeling so chilled that she shivered.

“We need the horses,” Noah said as Scarlett surveyed the cottage. It was small, no bigger than her room back at the tavern. The cottage was devoid of furniture, with a stone floor cold beneath her feet and an empty fireplace. Beside the hearth was dry wood covered in cobwebs, clearly left behind when the last shepherd departed.

“We need a fire,” Scarlett said and moved to make it.

“Aye, ye start a fire, and I’ll get the horses.” As he turned to leave, she reached out to take his arm.

“What are ye thinking?”

“I’m thinking we need a way tae travel fast tomorrow, and I’d like a better weapon than this heavy sword,” he gestured to the broadsword at his hip. “Aye, I need tae go back tae the loch.”

“Are ye a madman?” she seethed, not releasing his arm. “Dae ye want tae end up dead?”

“I fancied living for a little while longer,” he smiled. “One man creeping through the forest is easier tae hide than two people. I can get the horses and bring them back before the storm arrives.”

“Ye are a fool if ye think so.” Scarlett shook her head and released his arm.

“Then a fool I will be, but I have tae try.” Noah reached for the door. “What if they find us here in the night? Ye wish tae only have one weapon between us?” His practical words made her colder than she already was. “Aye, I thought nae. Make up the fire, Scarlett. I’ll be back soon.”

“Noah?” She waited for him to look back in the doorway. “Just make sure ye come back, aye?”

“Worried for me, are ye?” he asked, touched by the sentiment.

“I didnae say that,” she shrugged, trying to brush off the matter.