Page 8 of Trapped by the Wicked Highlander (Lairds of the Loch Alliance #2)

CHAPTER EIGHT

" L et us have one more stop. There's a farmer that grows herbs just down the road. We shall check with him," Hunter said.

"Aye, that is best," she agreed.

His words were a quiet promise, and she found herself strangely comforted by his confidence in his abilities to make sure she got what she needed.

A quick stop at the farmer's hut was no help as he did not have the herbs needed and they were off again.

As they neared the castle, he felt a knot of tension slowly beginning to form in his chest. The castle loomed ahead, and he knew the real work was only just beginning. He had been focused on the immediate task at hand—helping Cassandra heal the sick—but there were so many unknowns that lay beyond that. Could she truly heal this community? Or would her efforts fall short?

Just as they reached the entrance of the castle, a figure stepped forward from the shadows.

"Jessica, what is it?" Hunter asked.

“The man from the healer’s hut has brought every ingredient ye asked for.” Her words came out in a rush, as if she were eager to deliver good news.

"Oh good," Cassandra said. "I was worried about the missing herb, and the thought of nae having all the necessary ingredients aids in me ability to help."

“He has?” Hunter asked, raising an eyebrow. “All of them?”

“Aye,” Jessica confirmed with a nod. “He’s made sure it’s all here and ready for ye.” She gestured toward the stacks of herbs and jars, neatly arranged inside the castle entrance. “The last herb ye needed arrived just half an hour ago.”

Hunter gave Cassandra a quick, approving glance. “Ye hear that, lass?” he said. “Looks like the last herb was delivered just in time. Nay more delays.”

Cassandra smiled faintly, "I'm grateful that we are one step closer to beginnin’ the treatment. I’ll make use of it straight away,” she said,

"Ye could begin right now, and perhaps the recovery of the villagers could begin faster than we had hoped," he said.

"Thank ye for makin’ sure everythin’ was brought here," she said.

“Aye, lass,” Hunter replied, his voice warm. “We’ll make sure ye have what ye need. Now, let’s get ye started. ”

With that, they made their way into the castle, and Hunter's heart steadied. He knew she had the tools she needed, and with his help, she could focus on what mattered most—saving his people here. The journey was far from over, but he felt ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing he had support.

Moments later Hunter stood beside Elena. There was a quiet stillness in the room, broken only by the soft sounds of breathing and the occasional creak of the floorboards.

As Cassandra took in the sight of Elena, a thought struck her—Elena’s features were so similar to Jessica’s, and the bond between Jessica and Hunter was undeniable. The way Hunter looked at her, with such tenderness, only reinforced the idea that Jessica must be his wife.

Her suspicions were confirmed when Jessica, who had been standing near the door, rushed forward to give Hunter a tight embrace. Cassandra’s heart sank as she watched the two of them share a brief, but intimate moment. Hunter didn’t pull away; he welcomed the hug, wrapping his arms around Jessica with a protective ease. The sight left a bitter taste in Cassandra’s mouth as the realization settled in that Hunter was clearly not available.

"Oh Hunter, what will we do if we lose our wee Elena?" Jessica said.

"It willnae happen. I willnae allow it," he said.

Cassandra quickly pushed down the pang of disappointment that surfaced at the thought of Hunter’s relationship with Jessica. She scolded herself inwardly, reminding herself that she had no business being attracted to a man who was already taken.

She had no intention of entangling herself in any more complicated relationships, especially not with someone like Hunter. It was foolish to even entertain the idea that someone as strong and capable as him would ever be interested in a healer like her.

Jessica pulled away from Hunter, her voice full of concern as she spoke.

"I was so worried when I heard Elena had fallen ill," she said, her eyes searching Hunter's face for reassurance. "But the way she is now… will she be all right?"

Her words were filled with a genuine sense of care, and Cassandra couldn’t help but feel a stir of jealousy in her chest. She had seen this before—the way women expressed concern for the men they loved, a tenderness that always seemed to surpass the words they said.

"Aye, lass," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "She’ll soon be all right. I’m sure of it. I’ll see to it."

His confidence, the way he spoke as though he could control everything around him, made Cassandra feel both comforted and frustrated. Elena would recover, but it was clear that Hunter’s concern wasn’t just for the wellbeing of a villager; it was the affection he held for his wife that drove his every word.

Cassandra shifted uncomfortably, her gaze turning toward the door. She was beginning to feel like an outsider in the room, a third wheel to their intimate exchange.

It wasn’t their fault, of course, but she couldn’t help but feel that pang of jealousy as she stood there, silently watching the connection between Hunter and Jessica. The more she witnessed, the more she realized how foolish she was for allowing herself to feel any kind of attraction to Hunter.

Clearing her throat, Cassandra decided it was time to get to work. She couldn’t afford to stand there any longer, wallowing in feelings she had no right to have.

"I must go make the medicine now," she interrupted, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "If ye could lead me to a work room, I’d appreciate it," she added, her tone polite but firm.

Jessica nodded quickly, her concern still apparent as she gave Hunter one last glance. "Of course, Cassandra," she said, stepping back to allow Cassandra to pass.

"I’ll show ye to a room where ye can prepare everythin’," Hunter said.

Cassandra didn’t miss the subtle glance Jessica shot Hunter, as though seeking confirmation from him, and once again, she felt that pang of jealousy. It was ridiculous, she knew, but she couldn’t shake the feeling.

She watched as Hunter squeezed Jessica's arm as he passed. Then he led Cassandra down the long corridor, his steps measured and confident. Cassandra followed closely behind, her mind focused on the task at hand. As they reached a small, quiet room at the end of the hall, Hunter turned to her, his expression serious.

"This is where ye’ll be, lass," he said, pushing open the door, "I’ve had it set up for ye."

The room was simple, yet comfortable, with a large wooden table at the center and a window that allowed the faint glow of the evening light to filter in. A large hearth with pots and cauldrons made available as well.

Cassandra set her bag down on the table and looked around, taking in the space she’d be working in for the time being.

"Aye, this'll do," she said.

"I'm glad to hear it," he said.

She appreciated the effort Hunter had put into making sure she had a place to work, though it was hard to ignore the knot of frustration that still lingered in her chest. She needed to focus on her work, not her emotions.

"I'll be startin’ right away. If ye want to return when-" but he stopped her before she could finish.

"Nay, I will stay right here," he said.

She quickly got to work, her hands moving with practiced ease as she unpacked her supplies. Her mind went over the ingredients she’d gathered earlier, mentally organizing the poultice she needed to prepare. It would require a careful balance of herbs and careful preparation, and she couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. The thought of the patients waiting for her treatment pushed all other thoughts aside as she concentrated on her task.

As she ground the herbs in the mortar, Cassandra’s thoughts briefly drifted to Hunter. His presence had been commanding, yet there was a quiet protectiveness in his actions that she couldn’t quite ignore. She could see why the villagers trusted him—there was something about him that made people feel safe. But she also reminded herself that she couldn’t afford to get distracted by him, not when there was so much at stake with the illness spreading through the castle.

"Ye have everythin’? I shall send for a maid if ye need more water, or anythin’ else," he said.

"Nay, I have everythin’ for now. Thank ye," she said.

She carefully mixed the ingredients, making sure each one was prepared properly before adding the next. The poultice would take time to create, but she was confident that it would help ease the patients’ suffering.

She lost herself in the rhythm of her work, the task a welcome distraction from the confusion and tension that had been building inside her. It wasn’t the first time she’d found solace in the simple act of preparing medicine, but it was the first time in a long while that it had been accompanied by such a sense of urgency.

"I’ll leave ye to it, lass, and return in an hour," he said, his tone softer now, though there was still a hint of concern in his eyes. "Ye’ve all ye need, aye?"

Cassandra nodded without looking up, focusing on the final steps of the poultice. "Aye, I'm settled," she replied, her voice steady, though her thoughts were elsewhere.

Hunter gave a short nod before turning to leave, the sound of his boots fading down the hall. Cassandra breathed a small sigh of relief once she was alone again. The quiet of the room allowed her to focus entirely on the task in front of her. She could feel the weight of the responsibility on her shoulders, but it was a weight she was familiar with, one she had carried many times before.

Her hands worked with precision, and soon enough, the poultice was ready. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. Cassandra couldn’t afford to waste time second-guessing herself. She had patients waiting, and she wouldn’t let them down.