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“I daenae ken why, I daenae have the answer for that. Perhaps it was because I was faster to my horse when he sprang. Maybe it was because Gale got me out of there as fast as her legs could carry me. I believe my situation was a bit different than that of yer maither’s abduction.”
“Aye,” Conner nodded as he pushed down thoughts of his family. He knew better than to bring up them at this time, but he couldn’t help it. The fear of her being taken from him rattled him to his core. “Well, I suppose it is time for us to get out of bed.”
“Dae we have to?” Olivia moaned, closing her eyes. Conner watched as she pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a heavy sigh.
“Aye,” he answered. “Tis the only way for ye to heal faster. Ye have to tell yer body that nothin’ has happened and get up, shake off the aches and pains and trudge forward.”
“That sounds horrible,” Olivia bemoaned. “I’m nae a soldier. My body daes nae work that way.”
“Aye, it daes what ye tell it to,” Conner said. “ So get up, the day is callin’ and I’ve never known ye to back down from a challenge.”
Olivia’s nose wrinkled as glared at him making Conner’s lips tug at the corners.
“Why are ye doin’ this to me? I need sleep.” Olivia said reluctantly throwing the blanket off her.
Conner clapped his hands causing Olivia to jump. Her face scrunched as she let out a small whimper. “I’m goin’ to make ye regret wakin’ me,” she threatened.
“ Is that so?” Conner said, his hand whipped out and patted her on the side giving her a light spanking. “Then prove it.”
“I’d hate to see how ye would react if I were stabbed or somethin’,” Olivia mumbled as Conner turned and slipped off the bed. Although he hadn’t gotten the best sleep of his life, he felt energized, like he could take on the world.
“Well,” Conner said with a smirk. “Suppose if ye were bleedin’ out, I’d make ye run about as well. Now, get dressed. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Where are ye goin’?” Olivia asked as Conner made his way to the door.
“I need to set out the targets, and check on a few things,,” he said as his heart sank a bit. It wasn’t that he wanted to leave her, but he had to. He had to check on Damon and see what happened last night.
As he closed the bedroom door, he paused and leaned his head on the sturdy wood. Pulling in a deep breath, he said a short little prayer before standing upright.
“Come, help me set the targets,” Conner ordered as he glanced at the guard by the door. He paused to steal a glimpse over his shoulder and found Olivia wincing as she climbed out of the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
“M’Laird, ye may want to go to yer study,” the tall, burly Jackson said. “Word has it Damon has returned and is waitin’ for ye in there.”
“Thank ye,” Conner said as his heart skipped and danced within his chest. Before saying another word, Conner raced down the steps and pushed through the doors of the study. His heart stopped the instant he noticed Damon by the fireplace.
“Well?” Conner asked as he entered the room and slammed the doors closed behind him. Damon glanced up to look at him. The expression on Damon’s face swept away all his hopes and aspirations. Conner couldn’t deny the fact that he held onto hope so hard, that seeing Damon looking somber crushed him.
“Did ye find him?” Conner asked. Damon’s frown flipped in an instant as he rushed to Conner. Throwing his arms around Conner, Damon laughed.
“Aye, I found him,” Damon said. “Did ye ever have a doubt?”
“Ye ken nae to do that to me,” Conner said.
“Forgive me, but I couldnae help it. Ye looked so crushed when ye came in the room that I couldnae help myself. Aye, M’Laird, I found him. He’s in the dungeon along wit’ another whom we caught tryin’ to flee suspiciously. We brought them both into the cells just in case.”
“I’ll have to get Olivia. She’ll need to identify her attacker,” Conner said, patting Damon on the shoulder.
“Are ye sure that is a good idea? The lass has been through so much as it is,” Damon said, pity lacing his voice and tone.
“Aye, there is nay other way. I promised her justice. I want her to feel safe again. To ken that the man who attacked her will be punished and never be able to hurt her again. If she refuses to point out the villain, she’ll live in a state of fear for the rest of her life, and I’ll nae let this fool steal her happiness.”
Damon gave a sharp nod as he stared at Damon.
“Brin’ them both to the great hall, and get the council to come as well. I want to make a spectacle out of this to assure all that I am a just man. If the council suggests an execution, then that is what I’ll dae. Now go,” Conner said, giving Damon a squeeze on his shoulder.
Damon took off as Conner pinched the bridge of his nose. With his anxiety running high, he wondered how Olivia would take the news. He hoped against hope that she would see it as a good thing. How she might even be able to heal faster knowing she didn’t have to look over her shoulder the rest of her life. Yet, Conner couldn’t help but wonder if they had the right man. Panic rippled through him like a stone thrown into the placid lake. The ripples of dread also coursed through him as he made his way to her room.
Shrugging off his fears, Conner rolled his shoulders before knocking on her door. Olivia’s soft, muffled voice greeted him as he pushed through the door. He stared at her as he entered while his throat seemed to dry out. The smile on her face faded as she moved slowly to him. He could tell her legs still ached, and that it pained her to have to wear such heavy clothes around her scraped shoulders.
