Page 66 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Abruptly, she saw herself at the feasting table, and the mead that burned her throat. She reached for her throat now, but there was no pain. She shifted her body and immediately realized she was not alone.

Scarlett turned to see Noah was asleep beside her, fully clothed.

He gave her a relieved smile. “Ye are awake, thank the lord above. Ye gave us a serious scare. How dae ye feel this morning?”

“Thirsty,” she croaked.

“Aye, Callie said ye would want water. Here, drink this.” He reached to the bedside table and lifted a glass of water the healer had left for her. “It’s safe.”

“Safe?” She guzzled the water, then realized what the word meant. “The mead… it was…” She stopped before saying the word.

“Poisoned.” He said it for her. “I feel terrible, Scarlett.”

“What for?” she murmured, drinking more water.

“The poison was in my goblet. It was meant for me.”

“That is hardly yer fault,” she said emphatically. “Are ye well? Did ye drink any of it?”

“Look at ye.” He laughed shortly. “Ye were the one poisoned and have spent three days in bed.”

“Three days—?” she spluttered, incredulous.

“Yet ye are asking after me?” he chided.

“I dinnae want tae see ye hurt!”

“Aye, I have wished I could take yer hurt away the last few days. How dae ye truly feel? Truly.”

“I will recover,” she vowed. Her stomach felt fine, and she couldn’t point to any specific thing that was wrong, but she did feel tired despite the three-day rest.

“Callie says ye will need more rest.” He kissed her on the temple. “Thank God ye are alive.”

“I think I have ye tae thank for it. Ye carried me tae Callie. I must thank her, too.”

“Ye need tae rest for now,” he said firmly. “Today, ye shall have whatever ye want. I’ll have a bath prepared for ye, fresh sheets, and whatever food ye can manage. And it shall be tasted in advance,” he added quickly.

“Noah? Do ye ken… I mean, have ye discovered who tried tae poison ye?”

“Nae.” His answer came quickly, and he scratched his head, a plain sign of stress. “Our investigation has yielded nothing, but there is something I must apologize tae ye about. That day in the forest, I was convinced the attackers were shooting at ye. Perhaps they werenae.”

“They seemed tae be,” Scarlett countered.

“Perhaps they were shooting at both of us. What’s certain is I was the target that night, as ye drank from my cup.” He went to her again. “I am so sorry.”

“Please, dinnae apologize. ‘Tisnae yer fault,” she told him again. Yet she could see they did little good. The tension in Noah’s face didn’t leave. He only stayed back when the maid returned with hot water for Scarlett’s bath.

He stayed with her the whole time. Even when she bathed, he was there to help, for her body was still tired. Repeatedly, he called for fresh food and drink, to ensure she had everything she needed. Scarlett often found her eyes upon him, watching intently.

I have never felt so loved.

* * *

The next morning, Scarlett woke with Noah at her side again. He had scarcely left her chamber. Only occasionally did he leave to change clothes and ask Ian if there was progress in the investigation. The days had been idyllic, and Scarlett was delighted by his attention and the closeness between them.

The days are ticking by, and my time has run out.

The day to meet Eloise had come, so did the end of all she shared with Noah.