Page 13 of Shaw

“You didnae come upon him chained in a crowded pit of filth, so starved his limbs resembled skin-covered bones,” the laird said. “When I freed him and offered him water and food he handed it to the others, and took only my blade. I’m glad you didnae see what he did to his former masters. Never again shall I see men die in that manner, I reckon.”

“I ken he’s your only full-blood brother besides Fletcher, but Shaw wouldnae want you suffer his affliction in his stead,” he told Connal. “’Twould drive him mad.”

“Mayhap Mistress Scott may help heal our brother, as the other ladies have us.” The laird put his hand on his shoulder. “Make ready, for I sense great change, ’tis upon us.”

After the laird left, Nyall summoned the watch back to the tower, and gave them instructions to look for any odd behavior from the chieftain, including any attempt he might make to leave Dun Ard with the lifeguard. He left the tower and went to Julianne’s chamber, which he found empty. On a hunch he then went to Shaw’s quarters, where he saw Lark standing and listening outside the door.

She lifted a finger to her lips, and he nodded as he joined her.

“You are making me crazy.” That was Julianne’s voice, sounding annoyed rather than angry. “You don’t have two healers, either. I’ve had basic medical training. Why can’t I help out the guy?”

“You’re yet mortal, and dinnae ken how to tend to the MacMar,” Shaw countered. “We’re no’ like other men.”

“With a Fae prince for a father, superpowers, and who knows what else, clearly you’re not.” The door suddenly opened, and Julianne glared at both Nyall and Lark. “Do you need us to yell at each other a little louder? Don’t want you to miss anything.”

“Sorry. I heard the shouting from my work room, and I was worried about you.” The seamstress glanced past her. “The captain is, too, I think.”

Nyall nodded. “I saw you bring Shaw into the stronghold in an unhappy manner, and worried the situation might grow worse.”

“Does everyone in this castle watch us?” Julianne demanded. The chieftain came and tried to slam the door in their faces, but she stopped him. “Knock it off, will you? They’re just being nice to a guest. You’re supposed to– Oh, never mind.”

“Really sorry, Julianne,” Lark said before she hurried off down the hall.

“Mayhap you and the chieftain should part ways,” Nyall suggested.

“Good idea.” She beamed at him before glancing over her shoulder. “Shaw, I’m sick of yelling at you, so I’m leaving now. Do not follow me.”

As Julianne stalked down the passage Nyall fell into step beside her. “’Tis truth that Duncan’s injury wasnae like that of mortals.”

“Because you’re all half-Fae, and have strange weaknesses that are sometimes like super powers, and I should mind my own business. Yeah, yeah, I’ve been told.” She stopped and pressed her hand to her brow for a moment. “Captain, I totally need to get out of here before I go big mad. Can I go for a run through that forest out there without freaking out the guards and V and company?”

“Aye, if you wish.” He considered offering to accompany her, but thought that would only aggravate her more. “Follow the trail on the right that enters the woods by the ash grove. That one, ’tis the smoothest.”

Nyall parted ways with her outside the great hall, where he stood waiting for a time until the chieftain came from the stairs. “Dinnae follow the lady, Brother.”

Shaw gave him a narrow look. “She came back with me. Concern yourself with your own woman.”

“Remember how Connal wouldnae permit you a moment of peace for months after freeing you from the Pritani?” he countered. “The same, ’tis what causes Mistress Scott’s annoyance.”

“Lady Valerie demanded we keep her from learning too much about the clan and the island too quickly.” Shaw dragged a hand through his hair. “Thus she doesnae ken of the Finfolk, our immortality, the Cait Sith and Derdrui, and every other facking thing beyond the scope of the mortal realm.”

“You wish explain such upon her discovery, then.” Now his behavior made sense; Nyall recalled just how frightened Caroline had been when confronting the strangeness of the clan and their allies. “She’s but gone for a run in the woods, where you cannae safely go. Give her the time she wishes alone.”

“’Tisnae me.” Shaw leaned back against the passage wall, pulling up his tunic sleeve to show his ink whirling restlessly over his flesh. “The facking thing believes her in danger.”

“It wishes protect her?” Now he grew astounded. “All that demon desires, ’tis slaying anything that breathes.”

“Aye, except my woman.” Shaw shook his head. “I speak out of turn, for I ken she’s no mine. The thing, ’tis shaping my words beyond my will.”

“You’ve the power to speak with the thing?” A glimmer of hope rose inside him. “Cannae you convince the beast leave the clan alone?”

“It no more cares for the well-being of the MacMar than you do the Cait Sith.” The chieftain banged his head into the stone a few times. “’Tis Julianne that captivates the beast. ’Tisnae slept since she came here. ’Twillnae rest unless I’m near her.”

The hunger in Shaw’s eyes echoed the tautness of his voice; what he and the beast desired was the woman herself, Nyall guessed. Since he’d suffered the same longing for his wife from the moment she arrived on the island, he experienced a surge of sympathy for the chieftain. He also wondered if Julianne would be able to free him from the malevolent grip of the dark magic the Pritani had poured inside him.

“You shall drive her away if you continue forcing your presence on her,” Nyall finally told him. “Our ladies from the future, they wish rely on no one. Give her the time and solitude she desires, and she shall return and look upon you with favor.”

“I shall be in the lists.” Shaw stalked away.