Page 75 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Ye dinnae ken what this is about,” he ground out, glaring at Noah. “He is the reason I lost the life I had.”

“Did ye ken?” Noah asked Scarlett. “He is the man who murdered my father.”

She shivered and the edges of her sight blackened as she swayed unsteadily. “I swear on my life, I didnae. I cannae believe it.” Noah glanced finally glanced at her, but almost immediately turned his eyes to the sword.

“Athol! Stop yer madness,” she demanded, enraged.

“Step away, Scarlett. Ye fled the only home ye knew without a second thought, nor a thought tae the father that raised ye. But ye can rest easy; I willnae hurt ye tae get tae him.”

“Ye shock me that ye have the capacity tae spare me,” she snapped, “but I can take care of mysel. I dinnae need ye!”

“Step back, then!” Athol barked.

“I willnae,” she said flatly.

“Then ye will be hurt alongside him.” There was the briefest sign of sympathy, a weak look in his eyes. She was reminded of the man he had been when she was a young child. He was never a father to her, but he always looked out for her. Once when she nearly fell into a river behind the tavern, he stopped her, almost breaking his own neck.

Who are ye really?

She felt as if she did not know Athol at all.

“Farewell, my laird,” Athol intoned ominously and leapt forward with the sword.

“Nae!” Scarlett yanked Noah desperately, trying to keep him safe, but the blade was quicker. It found his shoulder rather than his chest, and a roar of pain erupted from him.

Scarlett knocked him to the cobbled ground, stopping the blade from harming him further.

“Aaah!” a second bellow of pain echoed in the courtyard. Turning her eyes away from the blood on Noah’s shoulder, she turned to see Athol writhing in pain.

Two men stood over him. Ian was on one side of him, his sword drawn, and Avery was on the other.

Avery got there first; his sword driven deeply into Athol’s stomach.

“’Tis for the sentence ye should have had years ago,” Ian swore, and Avery pulled the sword out.

He’s a killer.

Scarlett reeled from the truth of Athol’s crimes.

He’s a murderer. He would have killed Noah too!

Athol dropped to his knees on the ground, his hands splayed over the wound in his stomach, finally falling down.

Ian was shaking as Avery moved beside him, asking if he was well. Scarlett could not concentrate on either of them as she used her skirt to press against Noah’s shoulder to slow the bleeding.

“Is he…?” Noah whispered before breaking off.

“He’s gone, Noah,” she said, “but ye will be all right after Callie sees tae ye, I promise.” Bending down, she kissed him on the temple. Any fear she might have had that he would reject her, melted away. He was losing strength and blood, losing consciousness. He lay very still, his eyes falling closed.

“Nae. Nae! Noah, wake up!” she pleaded. Ian was suddenly at her side, leaning down. He felt for Noah’s pulse and gave a quick nod.

“He’s alive, but he needs treatment right away.”

“Callie!” Scarlett screamed in desperation.

“Be careful, the bleeding must stop,” tears streamed down her cheeks and she felt uncontrollable fear.

Scarlett was frantic until she felt a tap on her arm. It was Eloise. “Go tae him,” she insisted. “Ye wish tae, I ken it.” Scarlett nodded and smiled a quick thanks, then ran to catch Ian as he carried Noah to the healer.