Page 30 of Highland Storm

“The Isle of Kerrera?” Hawke raised a brow. “I dinna think ye’ll find anyone to take ye there.”

“Why no’?” she asked.

“Because, the isle is said to have a haunted castle. Everyone kens that. No one goes there unless they are lookin’ to meet ghosts or the devil himself.”

“A haunted castle?” she asked, being intrigued and also a little scared. “Well, I dinna care. I’d go there to find the herbs. It’s that important to me.”

“Well, guid luck findin’ someone to take ye there. Now come here, lass.”

“Why?” she asked. “Is your wound hurtin’?”

“Nay.” He sat up in the bed as she approached him. “I just need to make sure ye dinna try to escape again while I sleep.”

“What are ye goin’ to do?”

He reached over to the bedside table and pulled a skein of rope out of the drawer. Then he tied one end to her ankle.

“Ye are tyin’ me up? Like a prisoner?” she asked.

“The last time I checked, ye were still a prisoner. And aye, I am tyin’ ye to me.”

“To ye?” Her heart sped up. What did he mean?

“I’m goin’ to tie one end to yer foot and the other to mine. And I’m goin’ to wrap the rope around the bedpost a few times in between.”

“Ye are crazy!”

“I’m playin’ it safe.” He finished tying the rope and lay back down on the bed. Since there wasn’t a lot of rope between her ankle and his, she had no choice but to go with him. “Lay down, lassie. It’s easier to sleep that way.”

“Next to ye?” she gasped.

“Aye, next to me. That’s the idea.”

“Ye’d better no’ touch me as I sleep.”

“I wouldna dream of it. Now come.” He held out his hand to help her lie next to him on her back. She stared up at the ceiling, not able to ignore the fact the bed was small and her body was pressed up next to his. She felt the heat emanating from his skin. His musky scent mixed with the smell of wood smoke and the tangy healing herbs filled her senses.

“I dinna like this,” she told him.

“I dinna like havin’ to tie ye up, but ye’ve already proven to me that ye canna be trusted. Ye are the MacKeefes’ only hope to get my grandfaither released. And as soon as our messenger returns from yer castle, we’ll hopefully make the trade and we’ll never have to see each other again.”

“Guid. I’d like that,” she said, feeling an emptiness in her chest. Why did the idea of never seeing Hawke again bother her so much? She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, knowing she had to get away from here as fast as she could. She couldn’t stay around Hawke any longer because he was confusing her mind.

“Guid night, my wee lass,” said Hawke. And then she felt his lips touch hers in a gentle kiss. For a moment, she wanted to pull him closer and deepen the kiss and wrap her arms and legs around him. He’s yer enemy, she reminded herself, breaking the kiss and pushing him away. Her eyes popped open.

“Blethers, careful, lass,” he cried out. “Remember my wound!”

“Ye promised ye wouldna touch me.”

“My hands came nowhere near ye. I didna ken ye meant my lips as well.”

“Well now ye do.” She closed her eyes and turned on her side, away from him, feeling more than ever now that she needed to escape as soon as she could.

* * *

When Phoebe heard Hawke snoring, she reached for her throwing knife tied to her leg. Then she sat up and reached down, sawing at the rope. Hawke tied a mean knot. If she didn’t have this knife, she’d never be able to get loose. She had just about cut through the rope when Hawke coughed and moved. He turned on his side and she held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t open his eyes and realize what she was doing. Her heart beat rapidly as she waited. Then, when he started snoring again, she cut through the rope, setting herself free.

Tying the end of the rope to his other leg, she did all she could to make it harder for him to chase after her if he should awake.