Wedded to the Twisted Highlander (Taming the Kilmartins #3)

Chapter 26

26

S oft orange hues kissed the landscape as the sun rose over the moors. Astrid’s heart fluttered wildly, her body tingling with a new sensation.

Had she known what she was missing, she never would have waited so long. But as she tilted her head up and gazed at Thomas’s face, a smile spread across her lips, knowing that it had been well worth the wait.

“What’s troublin’ ye?” Thomas asked, his deep voice a soothing balm to her restless mind.

His protectiveness made her heart flutter, despite the shadows lingering in her thoughts.

“What makes ye think I’m troubled?” she asked back, arching an eyebrow as she nuzzled the ook of his arm.

She felt warm and secure, pressed against him, and she didn’t mind the chill that nipped her calves.

She nestled deeper into the crook of his arm, searching for the right words. The last thing she wanted was to ruin the moment between them, yet history suggested that she should expect the shoe to drop and misery to crash back down on her.

“All right, now I ken that there’s something wrong,” Thomas said, his hand curling around her head, securing her to his body.

“I cannae help but feel that we’re balancin’ on the edge of a precipice, and sooner or later, I’m goin’ to fall off it, unable to make me way back up.”

Her confession hung in the air.

Thomas’s fingers ran through her hair, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

“How many times do I have to tell ye?” he said, his voice filled with conviction that rattled her to the core. “Ye’re mine, and nothing will harm ye or Melody. Ye’re happy for the first time, as ye deserve to be. I promise ye, nothing is goin’ to happen.”

His words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, filling her with the safety and security she had craved. Her heart swelled with admiration for the man who held her so tightly. He was both a protector and a partner.

She leaned in, showering him with kisses. Time stood still as she lost herself in him once again. It didn’t matter that the golden ball of light drifting through the sky marked the passing hours; Astrid had given herself over to Thomas yet again.

“I could stay like this forever, ye ken. Ye, like this, wit’ me, without a care in the world,” Thomas sighed, playing with a loose strand of her hair.

It was the clap of thunder overhead that shattered their idyllic moment. The sudden sound broke through the stillness of the loch and sent a jolt to Astrid’s heart, as if lightning had struck her.

Thomas groaned, reluctantly pulling away from her. Astrid couldn’t help but notice the concern etched on his features.

“I suppose it’s time to go,” he said, the disappointment in his voice mirroring her own.

Large drops of rain began to fall from the sky, and dark clouds rolled in like a hurricane, threatening to drown the warmth they had just shared.

As the drops fell faster, Astrid jumped to her feet, scrambling to gather the blanket and other items Thomas had packed for their picnic into the saddle bag.

“Dinnae tell me ye’re afraid of a little bit of water?” Thomas teased as she tried to climb into the saddle, only to slip down the slick leather. She glared daggers at him and stuck out her tongue playfully as she tried once more.

“Hold up now, I’ll help ye,” Thomas offered with a hearty chuckle.

Warmth radiated from his body as his fingers curled around her waist, hoisting her up into the saddle.

“There’s nothing to worry about—it’s just water. It’ll dry,” he assured her, flashing her a crooked grin that instantly put her at ease.

His words washed over her like a balm, soothing the lingering fears that had taken root within her.

“Ye need nae worry. We’ll arrive home in nay time,” he added as he mounted the horse, settling into the space behind her.

The clap of thunder echoed through the valley, and lightning streaked across the sky.

Astrid had thought it would be a playful storm, just something to get them wet. But as the wind picked up, she realized that a tempest had formed.

“I’ll need ye to trust me,” Thomas said, his hot breath tickling her ear.

Astrid nodded, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear.

With a nudge of his heel, the horse took off at a gallop, catching her by surprise.

Astrid tried to peer through the sheets of rain and wild wind that whipped her hair about her face, but all she could see was a dark cloud of fog pouring over the hills like smoke.

Thomas rode hard, pushing his horse as fast as he could. The sound of the hooves pounding against the earth soothed Astrid as the storm raged around them. She felt alive, her senses heightened as her fingers curled around the horn of the saddle while Thomas guided the beast back to the castle.

Her heart fluttered as they approached the castle. It seemed as if they had traveled a world away, and looking upon the dreary gray stones, she couldn’t help but feel as if her happiness was draining out of her.

“Why so gloomy?” Thomas chuckled as he guided the horse into the stables.

The sudden darkness enveloped them like a warm, damp shroud. A thrill ran through her as Thomas jumped down from the horse and turned to her. A smile played at the corners of her lips as she slid into his welcoming arms. Her body molded to his as he pulled her close and stole a kiss.

Pulling in a long, deep breath to savor the moment, Astrid picked up the scents of wet leather and hay, but it was the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof of the stables that resonated like a haunting melody for her soul.

She pulled away and eyed him for a moment, wondering if the same temptation was wreaking havoc on him.

Thomas’s mouth claimed hers in a hot, fierce kiss that stole her breath away. His tongue tangled with hers as they got lost in their little world in the dampness of the stables. It didn’t matter that the storm raged on outside; only the tempest between them mattered. Astrid melted into Thomas’s arms, greedy for his touch and his kiss.

As they broke apart, gasping for air, Astrid ran her fingers through his wet hair. His eyes sparkled with mischief as his grip on her tightened.

“We need to go inside,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire. “But I cannae promise that I’ll behave meself.”

Astrid’s heart skipped a beat at the unspoken promise in his words.

He scooped her up into his arms and carried her out of the stables. As soon as they stepped through the side door of the castle, Astrid was immediately struck by the chaos within.

The castle was in an uproar as servants rushed to and fro with candles and lanterns, their faces tight with fear and horror.

Astrid’s heart sank as if it had been tied to a millstone and dropped into the ocean. Her mind raced with different scenarios. Guilt raked down her back as she struggled to comprehend what had transpired.

“What has happened?” Thomas demanded, his booming voice commanding attention and respect.

The servants stopped instantly, turning their focus to him. But before anyone could answer, a figure emerged, his cold calculating gaze fixed on Astrid.

Her heart lurched as a sense of foreboding washed over her.

“Where is Melody?” she demanded, spinning around and realizing that her daughter was nowhere to be found.

Fear gave way to terror as she scrambled to free herself from Thomas’s grip. He set her on her feet, and she immediately began her search.

“Melody!” she called again.

“Aye, here!” came a small reply, sounding more like a soft whisper from a distant dream.

Astrid spun on her heel and dropped to her knees the second her gaze fell on Melody.

“Och, me sweet child!” she cried as Melody bolted down the hallway toward her.

The little girl wrapped her arms tightly around Astrid’s neck, squeezing as hard as she could.

“Och, honey, I’m so sorry. I should have been here,” Astrid said, wishing she could shield her from whatever horror had befallen them.

A wave of guilt crashed over her. She should have been there to protect Melody. If they hadn’t gone out, this would not have happened.

Melody buried her face in Astrid’s chest and let out the most gut-wrenching sob Astrid had ever heard. The poor girl’s words tumbled out like a mess.

“He came,” she hiccuped, “and he attacked, and there were so many people everywhere.”

Astrid’s heart stopped. She grabbed Melody by the shoulders and pulled her back, studying her little face and praying that she had heard wrong.

“Come again?” she demanded, trying to keep her anger under control as her attention shifted to Thomas for but a moment.

“Laird Chalium,” Eileen chimed in, “ he came. We were attacked. They came out of nowhere, and Reid jumped up to protect us. He was gravely injured tryin’ to defend us.”

Astrid felt a wave of horror crash over her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, despite seeing the evidence around her. Her gaze shifted back to Thomas. His face had darkened, and he balled his fists as he clenched his jaw.

“I’ll kill him,” he whispered, his voice so low and deadly that it sent an icy chill down Astrid’s spine.

“Thomas, nay,” she said softly. “We need to tend to Reid first. Make sure that everyone’s safe. This was just a test. He’s tauntin’ us.”

“He’s made a grave mistake,” Thomas said.

“Perhaps he has. But for now, we need to—Reid. Eileen, please take Melody to her room and stay with her. I’ve got to go check on Reid’s injuries. We cannae afford to lose anyone tonight,” Astrid instructed, handing Melody off to Eileen.

She glanced at Thomas, seeking confirmation that she was making the right choice. He nodded and turned his attention to the servants around them, barking orders to get the castle cleaned up.

Without hesitation, Astrid took off in the direction of the infirmary, her feet pounding against the stone floor. Uncertainty hovered over her like a dark cloud as she burst through the doors and instantly looked for Reid. She clapped her hands over her mouth, trying to stifle the shock that washed over her.

“Och, Reid!” she gasped, rushing to his bedside.

There was no telling how bad his injuries were until she got him cleaned. She went to work instantly, cleaning his wounds. A huge gash stretched from his brow to his chin, before trailing down to his chest.

Astrid couldn’t believe Reid had managed to survive such an attack.

“Olivia!” Reid shouted as Astrid wiped the dry blood from his forehead. His fingers curled around her wrist, halting her. His eyes flew open, filled with horrors that Astrid couldn’t even begin to fathom.

“Ye’re safe now,” she said tremulously, fighting back tears as she tried to tend to his injuries.

“Olivia,” Reid called.

“Hush now,” Astrid urged, trying to calm him as he thrashed in the bed.

She knew that if he kept moving, there was a greater chance he would lose his life from blood loss.

“Ye need to be still,” she snapped.

He released her wrist, his pupils narrowing and dilating as if he was trying to focus not on the battle he had seen, but on the here and now.

“I couldnae stop it. Do ye hear me?” Reid said, pulling her closer to him. “Laird Chalium has Olivia,” he added, before exhaustion overtook him.

His hands dropped to his side, and the room filled with the sound of his snores.

“Reid, ye have to wake up. How do ye ken that Laird Chalium has Olivia? Reid, please…”

Despair crawled up her chest. All this chaos and terror because she had gone out.

Astrid had felt a sinking feeling before they even left the loch. She knew in the marrow of her bones that something was going to happen, and now she was witnessing the consequences of her actions.

She pressed her lips into a tight line and dropped her head to the mattress as tears pooled in her eyes.

This isnae happenin’. Oh God, what is he doin’ to Olivia? This is all me fault .