“Perhaps.”
By the time Ewan finished his stew, his head had started buzzing. At first he thought he might have developed a headache from Nora’s endless curiosity, but the world around him was moving.
“Are you all right?” Nora asked.
“I feel strange.”
Nora frowned as she watched Ewan. He looked a bit pale as he swayed.
When he started to rise, he fell back to his knees.
She swallowed in fear. “Ewan?”
Lysander and Bavel caught him between them an instant before he passed out.
Nora’s heart pounded even more at the sight of her fierce guardian unconscious.
Whatever could have happened to him?
“Ewan?”
Catarina stepped forward and pulled her back from the men. “It’ll be all right, my lady. Viktor is a wonder with healing. We’ll get him into the wagon and tend him.”
“But-”
“We’ll take care of him,” Catarina assured her. “Where were the two of you bound?”
“The MacAllister’s castle.”
“Well, that’s no problem. We were headed that way ourselves. We’ll let the two of you ride in the wagon where you can watch over your man and we’ll get you there in no time at all, isn’t that right, Viktor?”
“Aye. We’ll get you both home, mark my words.”
Nora smiled at the kindness. It really was good of them to be so willing to help. “Thank you.”
Lysander and Bavel helped Ewan into the wagon while Nora stayed outside with Catarina. Viktor went inside to help tend Ewan and to see what he could do.
Nora waited several minutes before the men came back outside to join her.
Viktor patted her gently on the arm. “He’ll be fine after a little rest. You may ride inside with him if you wish.”
Nora crossed the short distance to the wagon’s steps.
With a curious look to Viktor, Bavel helped her inside.
Nora went to check on Ewan, then froze as she caught sight of him.
He’d been tied up and gagged.
Och now, this wasn’t any good at all.
She turned around at the same moment Viktor shut the door to the wagon behind her.
Her sight dulling, she went to the door only to learn it’d been locked from outside.
“Catarina? Viktor?” she demanded angrily. “What is the meaning of this?”
“All will be well, my lady,” Catarina said from the other side of the door. “Don’t panic. You’ll just be our guests a little longer than you planned.”
