“And what of helping my family? Will my death be enough?”
Standing, Hamish walked to the tent’s opening.
“For a time, but in several decades another evil shall threaten yer family. We shall see that all is prepared for such a time when we arrive at yer home. I’ll explain everything to ye on the way tomorrow. For now, I am weary and need to rest.”
I walked to the edge of the tent to see Hamish off. Just as expected, Jerry stood not too far away watching outside his own tent. It was the same every night. I would wave to him, and he would turn his back to me.
I was in no mood to be ignored. Stomping over toward him, I poked him hard in the chest.
“No one is going to be able to break this spell on ye if ye are so intent on remaining miserable. Fight for yerself, Jerry. Fight to be happy.”
His jaw tight, Jerry turned away.
“I was happy with Grier, lass. Even if the spell is lifted, I shall never forgive ye for keeping me hostage. I could never love someone so damned foolish.”
Chapter 43
The next morning, Hamish and I packed our horses and prepared to ride to Conall Castle. My heart was heavy for so many reasons, and Hamish simply couldn’t stand it.
“He dinna mean it, lass. The spell is fading with time, and ’tis tearing his mind apart as it does. It canna be a pleasant thing—to feel something so strongly only to have everyone around ye telling ye that ye doona really feel the way ye do. I would resist it, as well.”
“It pained me as if he meant it.”
Hamish finished situating his belongings and came over to grab my hands.
“I know. ’Tis he that is the damned fool. Come with me.”
Holding tightly onto my right hand, Hamish led me to Jerry’s tent, pushing our way inside without a word. Jerry sat in a chair twiddling away at a piece of wood. His face showed no emotion as he looked at us.
“Stand up, lad.”
Jerry didn’t move. Hamish repeated himself. “Stand up or I’ll pull ye from that chair and knock yer teeth in.”
The corner of Jerry’s mouth twitched, and I knew he wasn’t frightened. He stood anyway.
“What do ye want? I thought the two of ye were leaving this morning. Ye should go. Give my best to everyone at Conall Castle.”
He meant the last part. I could tell by the way his features softened. He might be angry with me, but he was still capable of caring for others.
“My uncle has been too gentle with ye. He believes time and patience will be enough to break this spell. I say to hell with it.”
Releasing my hand, Hamish walked over to Jerry and grabbed the front of his linen shirt.
“Have ye not noticed how yer moods have changed, lad? When ye dinna believe ye were spelled, ye were pleasant enough. Now, ye are an arse every moment of every bloody day to everyone. Do ye know why that is?”
Jerry didn’t flinch with Hamish standing so close. Calmly, without blinking, he answered him. “Mayhap because I’m being kept as a prisoner.”
“Lad, if ye wish to see how prisoners are kept, I’ll be happy to show ye. I’d prefer if ye were kept in the dungeons anyway. ’Tis not what upsets ye. Ye are angry because ye know ye canna trust yer feelings, and yer frustrated that ye canna find yer way back to the lass standing over there never giving up on ye.”
Jerry’s eyes shifted toward me for a quick uncomfortable glance. When he said nothing, Hamish continued.
“If ye need some incentive to fight harder, lad, allow me to give it to ye. I am in love with the lass ye are meant for. While I may not be her first choice, I know I could become her second. If ye doona pull out of this, I shall marry her, and we will send ye on yer merry way back to a life of false love with Grier.”
Jerry’s face flushed red, and my heart sped up. It was more emotion than I’d seen him elicit in response to me in weeks.
“She doesna love ye, and Morna wouldna ever marry a man she dinna love.”
Releasing his grip on Jerry’s shirt, Hamish turned and walked toward me, grabbing my arms and pulling me toward him. He spoke to Jerry, but his eyes were locked with mine.
