Page 13 of Leila’s Legacy

She glared up at him with brilliant blue eyes, her cheeks flushed with the exertion of her battle. Her breath puffed in front of her in frozen clouds.

“I’m Niall Douglas, Deputy to the Keeper of Liddesdale.” He was forced to tighten his hands as she attempted to twist away from him. “Ye’re being arrested on the accusation of being a witch. We outnumber ye, and yer horse is too slow to escape. If ye dinna come with us, we will have to use aggressive force and may hurt ye. We dinna want that.” And he truly did not want to see her hurt.

Justice would be served, and she would get what she deserved then.

Though the lass could fight with the strength of a beast, she did not appear as strong as she was. He should think of her as a witch, a prisoner awaiting execution, but how could he when she was an earl’s daughter worthy of respect? Especially when she was so slender, so beautiful. Aside from the men’s attire, she looked every bit the part of a lady. One more in need of saving than arresting. It all triggered in him the desire to protect.

Lady Leila’s face hardened. “I’m no witch.” She tilted her pointed chin higher and met his eyes. There was no fear there, only determination. “How dare you charge me with such a crime?”

How dare they? Niall scoffed at her impertinence. “Ye had the sickness and ye survived. The Armstrongs were the first to get sick here, many of whom are now dead. I assume that isna a coincidence.”

“It is indeed,” she ground out.

He indicated her to his men. “Bind her.”

Alban stepped forward with a cold grin. The bastard knew Niall couldn’t deny his assistance without looking sympathetic to the witch. Niall was forced to hold Lady Leila’s arms straight despite her many attempts to draw them away while Alban wrapped the rope around her slender wrists with such force even with his one good arm that the skin beneath turned white.

Niall gritted his teeth until it was done. Never once did Leila’s face register the discomfort of what was no doubt quite painful. When Alban finished the task, he had one of his clansmen secure it with a solid knot.

They had officially arrested the Witch of Werrick Castle, the one that they had tirelessly sought for more than a fortnight. But before Niall could bring the witch up to his horse, there was something that must be done.

He dragged Lady Leila with him to his horse, passing Alban as he did so. With a sure hand, Niall grasped the hilt jutting from the lord’s son’s shoulder and yanked it free.