Page 51 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“So why did he not send for it? I’m sure he has an apprentice for such tasks.”

Beitris sighed. “The mother was adamant. There was nae time. It was a grave matter of life and death.”

“Don’t ye see it could have been a trap?” Fraser shouted while stalking up the staircase, taking the steps two at a time.

“Aye, it could have been, which was why I took Ian.”

Fraser paused, making a face. “Ian?”

Beitris looked heavenward, her body stilling on the top step. She slowly turned around, her head tilting to the side, her gaze admonishing, saying more words than what escaped her lips. “Yer guard. The one who cared for me and Hamish the entire day. The one ye did not praise nor thank.”

Fraser grimaced. In his anger, he had forgotten about the guard, dismissing him simply and giving all his attentions to his foolish bride. “I was worried for ye.” He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. With Beitris on the top step, she was nearly eye level to him. “I thought something happened to ye. I thought ye were taken.”

“And I understand that,” Beitris said gently, her eyes glimmering in the torchlight. “Which was why I told the guards.”

“Hamish could have taken one of them.”

Beitris’s shoulders slumped. “And leave the villagers unattended?”

“They were unattended when I arrived.”

Beitris blinked back at him, confusion seizing her features once more. “But…why? I only took one guard, and there were three when I arrived.”

Fraser frowned. That was a problem he would solve later, although it was something that lurked in the back of his mind. “Ye shouldn’t have gone. Hamish should have asked for another.”

“I have read a book or two about healing. The same cannot be said about yer soldiers. I know what some herbs look like and what they are used for.”

Fraser shook his head. “Couldn’t Hamish describe the herbs to Ian?”

He knew he had Beitris there, and he watched as her frown deepened, her brow furrowing into an angry, frustrated glare. “Oh,” she grumbled while stomping her foot and turning around. “Hamish needed someone nurturing!” she shouted while stalking down the corridor.

Fraser shook his head as he continued after her. “Yer being stubborn,” he called after her.

“I am not.”

Beitris fumbled with the bread and cheese in her hands as she approached her chamber door. Fraser’s pace quickened, reaching to help her, but Beitris was more adept. She used her wrists to open her quarters and shoved her shoulder against the door, slipping inside easily. Before she could close the door, Fraser pressed his hand against it, holding it open for him to enter.

He kicked the door closed, watching his bride pace back and forth while stuffing the bread and cheese into her mouth. “I understand ye only wanted to help, however, playing hero can get ye in more trouble than not.”

Beitris swallowed the bread in her mouth. “I was not playing hero.”

“Aye, ye were.” He smiled softly at her, leaning against the door while he watched her continue her pacing. “I know things have been difficult as of late, but ye need to consider yer safety.”

Beitris sighed in exasperation. “I did consider my safety. I considered all my options. I can’t deny a woman aid, especially if she’s worried about her son’s life.”

“Her son’s life? What happened?”

He watched Beitris push another piece of cheese in her mouth as she paced, looking away from him. “The poor lad was ill with fever. Hamish did not know what exactly took the lad, at least not yet.”

“And do ye not worry about becoming gravely ill yerself?”

Beitris threw her hands in the air. “The woman was desperate. How could I turn her away?”

Fraser sighed. He was exhausted from the day, worrying about Beitris, searching for her, worrying even more when he couldn’t find her. “I understand yer fear, and I know ye care for others. I just wish ye would think of yerself for a change.” He grimaced. “I do not like that ye visit the camps, Beitris. Especially given the guards were amiss today. Maybe ye should remain in the keep until things have settled.”

Beitris’s movements stopped, her eyes widening on him. “Ye can’t mean that,” she breathed. She rested her last bit of bread on the small table and strode towards him, stopping a foot from him. “The children need me.”

Fraser’s brows tented in confusion. “The children?”

“They’ve lost their homes, Fraser.” Beitris’s bottom lip quivered. “Many are injured or ill. And there are many who still believe that yer the one responsible.”

Fraser’s heart stilled, stunned by her words. His mouth opened, but he didn’t know what to say. He was doing everything he could to help his people, yet they still accused him for the burnt homes. It wasn’t their fault. Of course, they would believe it was him. How could they not? They didn’t know about the double, nor would they believe it.

“I do whatever I can to not only help the people, but help ye,” Beitris continued. “I want them to know that the MacClery Clan is there for them—that their laird and lady are good and kind people, who would never hurt them. And we must also put our faith in our people. We don’t have to be suspicious of everyone we come across.” Beitris stepped towards him, her hand stroking his face. “If we are to doubt the villagers, the servants, even Hamish, how are they supposed to put their faith in us? We must trust each other to do the right thing in order to work together. Not everyone within the castle is evil and working for that fraud of a man.”

“That may be so,” Fraser whispered, taking her hand and lacing his fingers with hers. “But ye terrified me today, Beitris. I thought I was going to lose ye. I thought that man, whoever he may be, took ye from me.” He swallowed the lump in his throat, his body trembling as he thought of her, beaten and broken. So many thoughts had gone through his head as he searched for her. He thought she was gone forever, taken to a faraway land. He thought he would discover her body, lifeless and bloody and all because of that terrible man.

Tears stung his eyes as he said, “I don’t think I’d be able to live if something were to ever happen to ye.”

A tear slipped from Fraser’s eyes, but before he could wipe it away, Beitris stroked it from his face. She gazed up at him with all the adoration and love in the world. He leaned into her touch, searching for more of it.

Beitris lifted to her tiptoes, her nose nuzzling his. “Naething will happen to me,” she whispered. “I won’t let it.”

Her lips brushed against his while her hands stroked his face, his hair. Fraser’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer until she was pressed against him. Her tongue grazed his bottom lip, and his mouth opened for her, allowing her entrance. He moaned as he felt her enter inside him, feeling as if he would never be able to get her out of his system. His hands stroked her back. Her legs slightly parted, and Fraser knew, if he didn’t pull away now, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from continuing.