Page 72 of Taming the Highland Misfits

He nodded slowly and smiled at her. “And what would I do without you?” he asked softly. He watched as Freya walked out, admiring the sway of her hips, her tiny waist, and the way her unruly red hair glinted with fiery gold highlights in the morning sun. She turned and twinkled a wave at him as she went through the door, and he was pierced by a shaft of pure joy. It had been a dreadful morning, but he knew that as long as he had Freya, all would be right with his world.

* * *

As she walked across the courtyard, Freya suddenly heard a familiar voice. She had been walking with her head down, thinking about Alex, having passed on his message. However, her head jerked up at the sound of the voice and she saw Aidan standing staring at her.

“How is he?” he asked. There was not a sign of any contrition on his face, but his voice was concerned, no doubt because he did not want to get into trouble with his father.

Freya looked steadily at her brother, trying to press down the rage that was building up inside her. “Why are you concerned?” she demanded. “You did the damage.”

Aidan looked shamefaced. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to cause him any harm, but in the heat of battle… ” he tailed off and shrugged.

“Alex is not too badly hurt. Not thanks to you!” Freya snapped. “You are one of the worst human beings I have ever had the misfortune to meet. I wish with all my heart that you were not my brother!”

She pushed past him, and for a fleeting moment, Aidan felt ashamed of himself. Then he came to his senses. He could have killed Alex MacNeill, but he had refrained from doing so. If his knife had been a few inches higher he could have plunged it into his enemy’s heart; his status as the Laird’s son and heir to the estate would have protected him from punishment.

There were better ways to take care of Alex MacNeill, though. He would have to think about it long and hard.

* * *

When Freya relayed Alex’s message to his second-in-command, Liam Douglas, a short, sturdy man in his forties, he looked concerned. “He is no’ badly hurt, is he, Mistress?” he asked fearfully.

Freya smiled at him and patted his shoulder. “No, don’t worry, Liam,” she said soothingly. “Aileen says it is just a flesh wound and it looks worse than it is. She says he should rest, but you know what he’s like. I do not think he knows how to rest! So please tell everyone else what has happened and ask them to do as much work as they can on his behalf.”

“I will, Mistress,” Liam assured her solemnly. “I hope he gets well soon. A’ the lads think the world o’ him.”

So do I,Freya thought. “He is a good man,” she agreed, then she said her farewell and turned away to make her way back to the healer’s chamber.

Alex was standing up, speaking to Aileen McColl, who did not look at all pleased to see him on his feet.

“But ye must rest,” she was protesting as Freya entered. “Your body has had a terrible shock and must heal.”

“It will heal,” Alex countered. “I promise I will not put myself under too much pressure, Mistress McColl. We have no battles to fight at the moment.”

“Well, on your own head be it,” the healer said, shaking her head.

Freya regarded him solemnly. “Are you sure you should not go to your chamber and rest?” she asked, concerned. “Sleep is the best medicine, or so I have heard.”

Alex turned and smiled down at her. “You worry too much,” he said fondly. “I am fine, Freya. A scar on a warrior is a badge of honour, so please do not be alarmed. The men will not be fazed; it’s all part of our job.”

Freya gazed at him for a long moment; that handsome man had become her whole world. He was everything to her, and she did not know what she would have done without him. What would have become of her if Aidan’s blade had pierced his lung, his liver or his heart?

“What are you thinking?” he asked. “Is something troubling you, Freya?”

“I was so worried about you,” she replied. “What would happen to me if anything happened to you?”

He wrapped his arms around her at once. “Everyone has to face danger in their lives, Freya.” His voice was tender and soothing. “All of us. If you do not want to take any risks then sit in your chamber all day and look at the walls. I think you will agree that is no kind of life at all.”

“No,” Freya agreed. “It is not. But there is one place I feel completely safe.”

“Oh?” he asked, kissing her hair. “Where is that?”

“Here,” Freya answered. “Right here in your arms.”

She felt a vibration in his chest and heard a deep rumble of laughter. “I will keep you safe forever, if you wish, Freya, my love,” he said lovingly, “but do you not think it might be a little tedious to stand in one place for the rest of your life?”

Freya giggled. “You are right, as usual,” she agreed, then sighed and looked up at him. “I wish we could run away from here to some lovely little place of our own.”

“Someday, my love,” Alex whispered. “Someday.” He rested his chin on the wild russet hair that he loved, and closed his eyes. Like Freya, he would have been content to stand wrapped together forever, but of course, that was only a fantasy. Life was not like that; there were adventures to be had and children to be born. Great sorrows and great joys might await them; the future was still a mystery, but it was one they would unveil together, he hoped.