Waiting.
He growled, pulling his hair until pain seared his scalp.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
He slapped his face. Again and again as his father’s words echoed in his head.
“Ye useless dolt. Ye are naught but a curse. A liability. A disappointment.” That last statement stung the most.
He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears as he rocked back and forth, trying to drown out the voice of the man who had not once ever offered him comfort.
Still, he would come out victorious in this mission. He just needed to be patient.
Making his way back to the trees, he sank onto the ground, leaning his back against one of the thick trunks. He would sleep here tonight, waiting for Errol and Moira to emerge. When they did, this vantage point would allow him to see them as soon as they did.
Chapter Fifteen
They left thecave just afore dawn. The mist rolling off the water covered the ground below them as Errol and Moira carefully maneuvered their way back down to the rocks and back to their waiting horses.
Errol didn’t ken what to do with all of the information they had just uncovered.
The lies.
Everything was built on a lie.
What the hell was he supposed to do with that revelation?
Had his clan really dismissed Fiona’s explanation of the events that had led to her to seek solace with the MacLeods?
Aye.
They clearly had. And that information had been used to fuel the feud between them for years and years.
Once they had safely descended and their feet were on solid ground, Errol pulled the small chest from his tunic. He had tied off the cloth to act as a sling to support the chest whilst they climbed down.
He set it on the ground and fixed his tunic, so it covered him once again.
Errol hadn’t missed the way Moira’s eyes had lingered on his bared stomach.
She hadn’t said aught. She didn’t have to. Her eyes said everything.
He kenned where they needed to go next. There was only one spot on MacLeod lands that had cliffs leading to the sea with a nearby hollow.
Exhaustion seeped into his bones. It felt like he hadn’t slept for days and if he was tired, Moira surely had to be.
They would pass a village on the way to the cliffs. They could stop there for food and rest.
She needed to sleep. He refused to be blamed for not providing Moira adequate lodging and sustenance whilst she was in his care.
The horses neighed as they drew close. Errol gave them a quick look over to ensure they hadn’t come to any harm in the hours they’d been away. He smoothed his hand over his horse’s muzzle, then ran his hand down his mane and over his muscular flank.
He tucked the chest in his bag draped over the horse’s back then turned to help Moira mount her mare.
She’d been silent ever since they’d exited the cave and he kenned she was thinking about the letter. Thinking about Fiona. About Agnes.
