Page 90 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander

“Dinnae try to save me. I have to do this.”

“Ye dinnae have to do it alone,” Thomas answered, despite the fact that she wouldn’t remember the conversation once she woke up.

“Ye willnae let me go,” she continued. “I had to do it. I’m sorry.”

“Astrid? What are ye talkin’ about?” Thomas asked as panic rose in his chest.

What he had thought was a mild nightmare was turning into something more. Astrid’s words felt like a confession, and if there was something she had up her sleeve, he was going to stop her.

“Ye’re here because ye want to say goodbye,” she murmured, her voice muffled by the pillow. “I’ve said me goodbye. Take care of Melody.”

“Astrid, nay,” Thomas said as he shook her awake.

Her eyes flew open as she bolted upright.

“What is it?” she asked in a panic. “Where’s Melody?”

“She’s in the other room,” Thomas answered, his heart pounding at the implications of her confession.

“Is it yer faither then?” she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she turned to slip out of bed.

Thomas grabbed her arm gently and shook his head. “Nay, it was just a dream,” he whispered.

Astrid blinked, confusion etched on her sleepy face. “Yers or mine?” she asked.

Thomas slid back beneath the covers and held out his arm to her. Astrid snuggled up against him, fitting perfectly in the crook of his arm. He loved the way her body felt against his. And he loved even more how soft and delicate she felt.

How could she ever think about leaving him?

“Both, I think,” he answered truthfully. “But it doesnae matter. I’m sorry I woke ye. Go back to sleep,. We have a big day tomorrow.”

“Aye,” Astrid answered, and he could have sworn he felt her shudder.

“Ye’re all right? Are ye cold?”

“Nay,” she answered, but her voice lacked conviction.

“Go back to sleep. I’m right here, ye need nae worry about anything,” Thomas said as he began playing with her hair, his eyes fixed on the beams of the ceiling.

“Thomas…”

“Aye?”

She wanted to say something. He could feel the static between them, like two bolts of lightning striking each other.

“Never mind. I’m tired and bein’ silly.”

“Go to sleep,” he said and kissed the top of her head.

She let out a heavy sigh as she settled beside him. It didn’t take long for her breathing to even out.

His thoughts shifted from Olivia to Astrid and back again, like an endless game of tug of war. He racked his brain for a way to save his sister. Each strategy was more risky than the last, but he had to find a way to free her.

“Ye will sleep safe and sound, I promise,” he whispered as he eased away from his wife.

Astrid didn’t even stir as the mattress shifted.

Thomas dressed swiftly and moved to the door. The last thing he wanted was to disturb Astrid’s peace. The day would bring enough turmoil once she woke up. But right now, she was sound asleep, and he had a job to do.