Chapter 16 #2
“You and your warriors will do as I order, Hew McDolan, or I will send my ghost warriors after you and only you. You will not see them coming, though you will feel the blade as one warrior slices your throat. Your clan will then be mine to rule.”
Hew had no choice but to say, “I gave my word, and I shall keep it.”
“Wise decision.”
“Will you see that my daughter is returned to me?”
“You struck a bargain and gave your word on it. Your daughter now belongs to me.”
“But you are already wed. What will you do with her?”
“Whatever I wish,” Rhys said and walked away from the man.
“But—”
“But what?” Rhys shouted as he swerved around to face Hew again.
“Do you think me a fool? I return your daughter and you wed her to a powerful chieftain who could prove troublesome to me. I think not. She is mine now. You gave her to me. I will decide her fate. I would suggest you make a more permanent camp between here and Macinnes land, for once Greer McLaud finds out you had his brother killed...you will need protection.”
“How will he find out unless told?” Hew said with an accusing tone.
“The Highlands see and hear everything. Greer will eventually hear and seek his revenge.” Rhys shrugged. “If you prefer to face Greer with your warriors alone, so be it.”
“I will make camp where you say.” Hew nodded firmly, several of his warriors nodding along with him. “What of Rab?”
“You killed him; you bury him, for if Greer ever sees what you did to him, he will do far worse to you than you did to Rab. We are done here.” With those words, Rhys’ warriors disappeared, and he and Pitt went to their horses.
Hew called out to Rhys once he and Pitt had mounted their horses. “I will send word of where and when I settle camp.”
“It is not necessary. I will know your every move.” Rhys turned his horse and rode out of camp, Pitt riding alongside him.
* * *
“Lass,” Henry called to Nessa as he stood. “You are right, Lady Heather needs to rest in her chambers. I am sure the Dragon would not object.”
“Finally, you have some sense,” Nessa said, hurrying over to the table.
Henry did not argue with the insolent lass, he was too concerned with Lady Heather. She had not budged since resting her head on her arms.
Nessa laid a gentle hand on Heather’s shoulder. “My lady, you will rest more comfortably in your bed.” Nessa grew upset when she got no response. She shook Heather’s shoulder gently. “My lady.”
Rhys entered the Great Hall just then and seeing the scene in front of him, shouted out, “Henry what goes on here?”
It was Nessa who answered. “I will tell you what goes on here, my lord. Lady Heather was tired and he,” —Nessa jabbed a finger in Henry’s direction— “would not let her go to her chamber to rest.”
“Henry was obeying my order,” Rhys snapped.
“We were about to get Lady Heather to her bedchambers, but she does not want to wake up,” Henry said.
Fear, something that rarely touched Rhys, rose up to grip at his gut and without hesitation he scooped his wife up into his arms as he loudly called her name, “Heather!”
Heather winced. “Why do you shout my name?”
“Because you refuse to wake up,” Rhys said pleased to see she was not pale or could not speak. Still, though, she had not opened her eyes.
“I am resting.”
“You will rest in our chambers,” Rhys said as he walked out of the room.
“Why do you carry me?”
“You have yet to open your eyes and your body is limp in my arms. Do you honestly believe you could manage the stairs on your own?” He could not keep the annoyance out of his voice, though it was meant for him not his wife.
He should have made her remain in bed today, but he had been selfish.
He had wanted to spend time with her, and then he had allowed her to help birth a bairn. This was his fault.
“I just need a bit more rest,” she said, finding his arms ever so comfortable.
“And rest you will get, for you will not be leaving our bed for the remainder of the day.”
“A couple of hours sleep will do me fine,” she said.
Rhys did not bother to respond. He would tuck her in bed and assign another trusted warrior to stand guard, though he would not be far. He would continue his search for the secret room inside the keep.
She barely budged when he placed her on the bed, took off her boots, and tucked the blanket around her.
She also did not stir when he kissed her cheek.
She was beyond tired and needed a solid rest. He left her reluctantly and when he stepped outside the room, he found Henry and Nessa standing there.
“I will stand guard, my lord,” Henry said.
“You will until I send someone to replace you. It will do your leg wound no good to remain standing for possibly hours.”
Henry reluctantly accepted the Dragon’s orders. He had little choice since he knew full well not to question them.
“Nessa, you will check on Lady Heather from time to time and when she wakes you will let Pitt know.”
Nessa bobbed her head in compliance.
Rhys walked off relieved that rest was what his wife needed, though he was concerned with all that was going on.
He had hoped to see the dispute between Macinnes and McLaud settled without battle, but with what McDolan had done to Rab McLaud, he doubted that would be possible.
Then there was his old enemy. He needed to see that finished once and for all.