Page 21 of Taken by the Ruthless Highlander (Taken by Highland Devils #6)

21

R yder’s chest tightened as he settled into the saddle. Morgana nestled once again between his thighs, but there was no time for his fantasies to run amok. He turned the horse around and started for the path.

As they pushed through the shrubs, fat droplets started falling from the sky. There was no dodging them.

Had Ryder thought it would rain, he would have been better prepared. But what was a little water? He’d been through much worse, trekking through the open fields of Scotland with Laird McCallum’s soldiers.

His banishment had put him through many ordeals, but as he glared up at the sky, his thoughts shifted to Morgana. She’d be soaked to the bone by the time they got back— if they got back. Then, his thoughts shifted to the dangers lurking ahead. Each drop would only add to the slickness of the stone bridge, making the crossing even more perilous.

“Ryder.”

The panic in Morgana’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

He pulled the reins as he tried to wrap his head around what he was seeing. The stone bridge was submerged in a roaring deluge. His heart stopped as he glanced back over his shoulder at the pond. It was only a matter of time before it would overflow, and then where would the water go? Where would they go?

“Aye, I see it.”

“Is there any other crossing, or is this it?” Morgana asked, her voice rising above the thunder of the waterfall.

“This is it,” he answered as he scanned the rocks for another route.

The walls were climbable, but they’d be abandoning the horse to an uncertain death. Ryder had to make a choice before the water rose too high in the canyon and swept them out.

“There.” Morgana pointed at the switchback trail.

Ryder’s chest tightened. “That’s impossible. The path gets too narrow.”

“What other path do ye see? The water is already slappin’ over the bank of the pond. We cannae wait this out, we’ll drown.”

“At least we’ll go together,” Ryder muttered as he jumped down from the horse. He wagged his fingers at Morgana, prompting her to dismount.

“What are ye doin’?” she asked as he removed the saddle.

“Givin’ the horse a chance. She will drown if we leave the saddle on. But the reins I’m keepin’ on. At least we’ll have somethin’ to grab if she slips by.”

Ryder moved swiftly, removing anything that could weigh the horse down. He gave her a final pat on the neck and sent her off.

“We need to keep a keen eye on her. She’ll be the first to get out if there is a way before the water comes in,” Ryder explained.

Fear flickered in Morgana’s eyes like a candle in the wind, but then her determination kicked in.

“Ye said the path gets narrow?” she asked as he led her through the underbrush.

“Aye. Near the top, there’s a spot that’s barely wide enough for one,” Ryder said, holding his thumb and forefinger four inches apart. “Mind ye, that was in my youth. There’s nay tellin’ what the trail looks like now.”

“I kenned the moment I laid eyes on ye that ye’re a pessimistic fellow. It was the stern brow and judgmental glare ye gave everyone as ye rode up. Ye are a man with very few cares. But could ye do me a favor and pretend that all will be well?” Morgana scoffed as she trekked behind him.

“What makes ye think it willnae be?” Ryder asked as he glanced over his shoulder.

The water was coming down in torrents, making the ground slicker by the moment. It was clear that Morgana was nearing her breaking point. If she did snap, he wouldn’t blame her. After all, it was his idea to come to the pond. As long as he didn’t show fear, maybe she’d keep her wits about her.

“Look around ye,” she huffed. “The water is comin’, and we arenae movin’ fast enough.”

“It’s nae about bein’ fast if a missed step will land us in the water. Now, do ye have yer eyes on the horse still?” Ryder asked.

Suddenly, his foot slipped. If it weren’t for the small tree to his right, he would have tumbled down into the torrent.

“Then we take our time,” Morgana panted. Her eyes were wide, and the fear in them blazed like the fires of hell. “And nay, I lost the horse. The rain is too much. I can barely see two feet in front of me.”

“Just hold on to me. Dinnae let go, nay matter what. Do ye understand? If ye go under, I go under,” Ryder called over his shoulder.

“Aye,” Morgana called back.

Ryder’s heart rate quickened as the water level rose. They were going to need to move faster. If only he could remember where the water drained into the valley. But there were too many shoots and narrow passages he didn’t dare risk it.

“Just a wee bit further,” he encouraged as he glanced at the trail and shook his head. His shoulders dropped as he relented. “Then up the switchback. As long as we keep movin’, we’ll be fine.”

“The water is up to my shins,” Morgana groaned.

Ryder paused at the start of the trail and watched her struggle with the heavy fabric of her skirts for a moment. He flexed his jaw. “Take off yer skirts.”

“I beg yer pardon,” Morgana gasped.

Ryder wasn’t in the mood to make or hear excuses. He reached into his boot and pulled a small blade from its sheath. With determination in his eyes, he stomped toward her.

“Turn around,” he growled as he grabbed a handful of her wet skirt in one hand and held his blade in the other.

As she turned, he carefully cut off the damaged bit. He couldn’t help but smirk as her skin was bared to him inch by inch.

“What are ye doin’?”

“The fabric will just weigh ye down, which will eventually weigh me down if I get stuck havin’ to carry ye halfway up. And I’m nae goin’ to stop to cut it then. Best get it done and over with,” Ryder explained as he studied her.

She was tough and stronger than he could give her credit for, and at the moment, he needed her to believe it too.

“I cannae do this,” Morgana whispered as she hung her head.

“Aye, ye can, and we will do it together. Just follow me.”

“And what of the pass? What if we get up there and we cannae cross? Then it’ll all be for naught.” She glared at the muddy trail ahead of them.

Regret settled over Ryder like the dreary clouds over his head.

“Do ye want to stay here?” he asked as he turned to the canyon filling with water. The trees that stood like sentinels in the valley of the canyon had been swallowed by the raging water. The peacefulness of the area had turned violent and deadly in a flash. For a moment, Ryder couldn’t help but wonder if maybe their presence had stirred the fairies ire.

Morgana shook her head and started up the winding trail.

Inch by inch, they moved. The water rose and lapped at their heels. Ryder’s mind was focused on the path ahead of him. With only one prayer echoing in his head, he made his way up to higher grounds. Even if they couldn’t cross, he hoped they could get high enough. Even if it meant climbing to the top of the canyon walls.

“We’re almost there,” he said, trying to encourage Morgana as she stumbled behind him. “The trail is just up ahead.”

Thunder clapped overhead, causing the ground to rumble under their feet. Loose bits of earth tumbled down from the face of the cliff. Ryder’s chest tightened as his ears started ringing.

“Ryder,” Morgana called as the wind whipped about, threatening to bowl them over. “The trailhead.”

The pressure in Ryder’s chest eased as he caught sight of the opening. He looked down the cliff. Despite the water finally stopping, he wasn’t about to wait for it all to drain. Making a beeline for the trail, he guided Morgana with purpose.

“I’m sorry,” he offered as he lifted the branches for her to duck under. “Had I kenned it would rain so hard, I never would have brought ye here. I’ve only ever experienced the canyon floodin’ like this when I was a lad. But the conditions were far worse than today’s.”

Just as Morgana was about to step out, she paused and recoiled as if something deadly crossed her path. Ryder’s heart sank. The gap was no longer a step away, but a leap across a gorge that hadn’t been there before.

“Ye said that the path was narrow, nae that there wouldnae be a path,” Morgana said.

“I told ye I didnae ken.”

“The trailhead is right there. We can jump.”

“That’s a long jump,” Ryder pointed out as he assessed the drop.

It wasn’t the height of the drop that concerned him, but what lurked under the turbulent waters. Surely there were hidden dangers just itching to take a bite out of them.

“We can take turns and help each other,” Morgana suggested as she moved carefully around him and reached for a low-hanging branch. “We’ll use the branches to cross.”

“So, we’re monkeys now, are we?” Ryder scoffed.

“Better than bein’ dead, would ye nae say?” Morgana shot back as she started climbing the branch.

Ryder’s chest tightened as he watched her move from one tree to another with ease, as if she had lived in the jungle her whole life. His heart swelled with pride. He hadn’t married a prissy woman, but a warrior queen, unafraid and bold.

“Almost there. Use the branch to yer right,” Ryder called, keeping his voice steady.

His heart pounded against his ribs. Morgana was right over the gap. She just had to reach for the other branch and climb back down. Every nerve in his body coiled tight as he waited for her to clear the landing.

“Ryder!”