Page 89 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander

“Like something ye see?” she asked, taunting him.

His eyes roamed over her body as his smile widened.

“Maybe. I’ll have to sample the wears before I make any decision,” he said and leaned down, crushing his lips to hers.

If this was to be her last moment with her husband, then she was going to make it a night he would never forget.

Forgive me, husband, but I’m only doin’ what I think is best. And I pray that one day, ye’ll understand why I had to go.

29

“Astrid, nay, come back!” Thomas shouted at the top of his lungs.

His voice drifted through the darkness and stretched for eternity. Terror swirled through him like a wisp on the moors.

Pushing onward, he slugged through the muck as he chased after his beloved. Each step was like he was trekking through the bog. The mud caked his feet and caused him to sink even deeper into the mire.

He wrinkled his nose at the putrid stench that swirled around him. It was as if he had stepped into the very bowels of hell.

“Thomas!”

The panic and pain in her voice rocked him to the core. He had to get to her. Whatever Chalium was doing to her, he’d stop it andsave her. But whenever he tried to forge forward, some unseen force held him back.

Helplessness dropped on him like a boulder.

“Astrid! Hold on, lass, I’m comin’ for ye,” he shouted, determined to reach her no matter what.

It took every ounce of his strength to pull his leg out of the bog. Out of breath and struggling to keep going, Thomas mustered his strength to take the next step.

“Thomas, please.”

Thomas’s chest constricted until it felt as if his heart would explode.

He bolted upright, beads of sweat dripping down his brow as he looked around his room. His heart pounded wildly against his ribs and thundered in his ears as he took in the calm chamber. The familiar surroundings did nothing to ease his troubles. It was Astrid who haunted his dreams.

Whipping his head about, he peered through the veil of shadow. Astrid’s soft, rhythmic breathing was a balm to his weary soul. The dream lingered on him like a bad taste he couldn’t wash down.

Thomas had always prided himself on being an honorable man, but how could he remain honorable when he couldn’t even protect his wife?

How Laird Chalium had managed to corrupt even his most trusted adviser rattled him.

“Thomas.”

Astrid’s voice cut through the silence, and for a moment, Thomas had thought she had awoken. Holding his breath, he leaned closer to her.

“Hush now, me love,” he whispered. “I’m here. Go back to sleep and ken that I’m right here.”

The sight of her resting so peacefully beside him was exactly what he needed. Seeing her safe at his side without the worries of the world weighing on her was all he wanted.

Astrid shifted and twisted her head into the pillow. The dawn was still a few hours away, judging by the embers in the fireplace. He contemplated throwing another log on, or letting it die.

“Thomas, nay, please,” Astrid mumbled.

Thomas placed his hand on her back and gently rubbed in circles to soothe her weary mind. He had hoped that he had satisfiedher to the point of utter bliss. He wanted her to rest and not have to worry about anything.

Yet, there was no escaping their troubles. If it was something that was disturbing his slumber, surely it would be something that disturbed hers.

“Hush, I’m here. Ye’re safe. I swear.”