Once she did as he'd asked, he severed the ropes binding his ankles. It pained her to see that his ankles and wrists were raw and bloody with rope burns.
Tears burned her eyes. "I shall kill her for hurting you so."
"Not yet, my wee warrior. I get that privilege when the time is right." Holding the plaid at his waist, he stood and kissed her forehead. "Did you bring my clothes?"
"Nay, I didn't think of them. Is that Alpin's plaid?"
"Aye. I'll wear it if we can find a belt."
Trying to focus on escape and removing Torr from Wilona's clutches, she searched the cluttered room for additional clothes he might wear. She dug through a pile of Wilona's clothing while he searched elsewhere.
She dragged some items from the bottom of a heap. "Here are a belt, shirt, and doublet. Must be Alpin's."
"I hate wearing the whoreson's clothing, but 'twill suffice." Torr slipped the shirt on over his head. "He'll nay be needing them anymore." Finished dressing, Torr picked up a basket-hilted broadsword from a nearby table and tested the weapon's strength. "Come. Stay close behind me." He led the way along the corridor.
Loud crashes and shouts echoed from the entry hall.
"I pray Finnian is not hurt," she whispered, following Torr down the dim stairway. She wanted to grasp the back of his plaid but dared not. He seemed ready to launch into battle.
When they arrived in the entry, she was shocked to see Wilona pinned high on the wall, arms and legs flailing. Her mouth was sealed tight, but she tossed her head about and mumbled as if trying to speak.
"Saints!" The old man was a more powerful wizard than Cat had ever imagined.
"There you are, lad. Are you well?" Finnian asked.
"Aye." Torr glared up at Wilona, his expression darkening by the second, his fist white on the sword's grip.
Fearing he might fly into a rage, Cat slipped a hand around his elbow. He glanced down at her, and an understanding passed between them. He knew she was attempting to keep him calm.
"Off with you both, then," Finnian ordered. "And I shall hold her here as long as I can. Go."
Torr scowled at him. "Come with us!"
"Nay, 'tis you she wishes to harm. I have surrounded myself with a protection shield."
Torr had little faith in Finnian's spells, but he did need to remove Cat from the witch's vile presence. He truly hoped the old man kenned what he was doing. Torr took Cat's arm and directed her outside. Once through the open gate, they headed toward the wood, hand-in-hand. The horses grazed farther along in a grassy spot.
Torr tugged her behind a thicket of bushes. "We'll wait for Finnian here. If Wilona hurts him, I swear..." The old man had become almost like a father or grandfather to him over the past year.
"Indeed. I pray she does not harm him." Cat observed Torr, her eyes filled with tears. "I was so afraid when I learned the harridan had captured you." Cat hugged him closer and stroked a hand over his face. "Are you well, in truth? Did she hurt you terribly when she whipped you?" The pained look in Cat's eyes near broke his heart.
"I'm fine, sweet lass." The stripes from the whip would heal quickly. He kissed her forehead. "I'm thankful you were not injured when you came here. You took a grand risk."
She shook her head. "I knew I would be safe. I would never leave you in her clutches."
Though 'twas humbling that he had to be rescued by a lass, he was grateful she had released him from the bonds. He had not been mentally or physically strong enough alone to overcome the witch's evil magic.
"I appreciate your help," he said.
Cat nodded. "I would do anything to help you. I love you with all my heart." Tears glistened in her eyes. Her earnestness and devotion ripped at him inside.
Did he feel the same as she did? He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face to hers. He but wanted to absorb all her goodness and light.
"I love you so much," she whispered. "You have a beautiful heart and soul."
He shook his head. "You deserve a far better man than I am." 'Twas true, but even so, imagining her with that better man was like someone slicing him to ribbons. Enduring Wilona's torture was naught compared to the pain losing Cat would cause.
"Nay, I want only you," Cat said. "How can you let her continue to control you?"
