Fear, something that rarely touched Rhys, rose up to grip at his gut and without hesitation hescooped his wife up into his arms as he loudly called her name, “Heather!”
Heather winced. “Why do you shout my name?”
“Because you refuse to wake up,” Rhys said pleased to see she was not pale or could not speak. Still, though, she had not opened her eyes.
“I am resting.”
“You will rest in our chambers,” Rhys said as he walked out of the room.
“Why do you carry me?”
“You have yet to open your eyes and your body is limp in my arms. Do you honestly believe you could manage the stairs on your own?” He could not keep the annoyance out of his voice, though it was meant for him not his wife. He should have made her remain in bed today, but he had been selfish. He had wanted to spend time with her, and then he had allowed her to help birth a bairn. This was his fault.
“I just need a bit more rest,” she said, finding his arms ever so comfortable.
“And rest you will get, for you will not be leaving our bed for the remainder of the day.”
“A couple of hours sleep will do me fine,” she said.
Rhys did not bother to respond. He would tuck her in bed and assign another trusted warrior to stand guard, though he would not be far. He would continue his search for the secret room inside the keep.
She barely budged when he placed her on the bed, took off her boots, and tucked the blanket around her. She also did not stir when he kissed her cheek. She was beyond tired and needed a solid rest. He left her reluctantly and when he stepped outside the room, he found Henry and Nessa standing there.
“I will stand guard, my lord,” Henry said.
“You will until I send someone to replace you. It will do your leg wound no good to remain standing for possibly hours.”
Henry reluctantly accepted the Dragon’s orders. He had little choice since he knew full well not to question them.
“Nessa, you will check on Lady Heather from time to time and when she wakes you will let Pitt know.”
Nessa bobbed her head in compliance.
Rhys walked off relieved that rest was what his wife needed, though he was concerned with all that was going on. He had hoped to see the dispute between Macinnes and McLaud settled without battle, but with what McDolan had done to Rab McLaud, he doubted that would be possible. Then there was his old enemy. He needed to see that finished once and for all.
CHAPTER 17
Heather woke, her sleep disturbed by a strange noise. She listened and heard nothing, which had her wondering if the noise had been from a dream, though she could recall none. Curiosity had her getting out of bed with a roll of her shoulder. No pain disturbed her head and she actually felt very well-rested. The nap had done her good.
She slipped on her boots and went to the door and when she opened it she was surprised to find no guard there. She wondered how long she had slept as she made her way down the stairs and into the Great Hall. It was empty and not a servant lurked about. She glanced at the windows and saw it was dark. Had she slept well into the night?
She stepped outside, walking down the steps to see if anyone was about and it was eerily silent. The village looked asleep for the night, but if it was that late where was her husband?
“My lady?”
Heather jumped, her hand going to her chest.
“I am sorry, my lady, I did not mean to frighten you. I but wondered what you were doing out here so late.”
Heather turned to see Seamus and did not think it would be proper to explain that she searched for her husband when he should be in bed with her at this hour. “I should ask the same of you.”
“When sleep refuses to come to me, I walk in the shadows of the village in hopes of finding out its secrets.”
“What secrets?” Heather asked.
“To watch and see if more old people will be taken away and by whom? Who sneaks about for a late-night visit? And sometimes I watch the Dark Dragon prowl the village.”
She spoke her thoughts before she could stop herself. “Why ever would he do that?”
