Chapter 18 #2
There was a grim wound wrapped around his neck. He bent down by the river and cupped his hands, drinking deeply. Nora sank to the grass, leaning back and exhaling for what seemed like the first time since they’d been in the estate. She tapped her dress, annoyed that she was wearing it.
“I’m gaeing tae need tae get rid of this,” she asked.
“I’m nae gaeing tae complain,” Callan said, looking back at her with the kind of smile that made her heart swim. He ran his hand through his hair and returned to her side, sinking to the ground. “Dae ye ken what’s funny?”
“What?” Nora asked, for she didn’t think there was anything funny about what had occurred.
“If he hae nae spread all his guards across his various estates, there might hae been enough tae deal with the villagers. It was quite good of them tae turn up when they did.”
“It was nae coincidence. Turns out that a lot of people remember yer good deeds,” she then explained her encounter with Samuel and the plan they concocted together. “MacPherson was wrong, ye are nae a villain.”
Callan hung his head, shaking it softly.
“It’s a wee bit more complicated than that.
I cannae take back the things I hae done,” he said and looked at her earnestly.
“I meant what I said before, lass. I’m grateful that ye saved me, but if this is where we part then I shall make my peace with that. I will respect yer choice.”
Nora picked at the grass, pursing her lips in thought.
“Will ye promise tae change what ye became?” she asked.
“Aye, lass, for ye I’ll promise anything,” he said, the words rushing out of his lips. “As long as ye stay beside me, I’ll dae whatever it takes tae keep ye. I hae—”
Nora had heard enough.
She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. He winced, his lips still sore.
“I’m sorry,” she said, moving her thumb over his wounded lip, gently kissing his temples and the bruises beneath his eyes.
“I dinnae tell ye tae stop, lass, something tells me that yer kisses hae a healing quality,” he murmured and caught her lips again.
This time Nora kissed him more softly, although there was no lack of sweetness or passion in the gesture.
They closed their eyes and lost themselves to each other.
A low, guttural murmur escaped Nora’s throat and she started to pull Callan to the grass.
If he believed her kisses were healing, then she wondered what the rest of her body could do.
Then a twig snapped. A sound too deliberate to be accidental.
They both bolted upright and searched the trees. There, a movement. Nora and Callan both reached for the dagger. A shadowy figure emerged from the trees. A cloak billowed. A hood obscured their features.
“I hate tae interrupt such a tender moment, but I dinnae think it was appropriate for me tae linger nearby without announcing my presence.”
The voice was unmistakably male. Nora noticed that it was also steady and calm, as though utterly in control.
“Who are ye? Did MacPherson send ye? If ye want tae dae his dirty work then ye made a mistake. Leave now, before yer blood stains the grass,” Callan snarled, putting himself in front of Nora.
Well, old habits die hard, Nora thought.
The man stepped forward and pulled back his hood, revealing a mane of dark hair that was pulled into a ponytail. A scar ran along his jawline. His eyes were grey. He stopped about ten feet short of them and wore an amused smile.
“MacPherson dinnae send me. I work for… something else. It’s nice tae put a face tae the reputation though, Callan.
I hae admired yer work for some time. The two of ye make quite a team.
I did enjoy yer little ploy with that man who made the merchant dance for coin.
Life is always better when ye can bring the arrogant down a peg or two, would ye nae agree? ”
Callan tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. Nora stared at this man, wondering how he could have known so much about them.
“How did ye find us?”
The mysterious figure curled his fingers into his palm and inspected his nails. “When I heard what was transpiring at the MacPherson Clan I hae tae see for myself, and ye hardly kept yer flight a secret. Ye were just lucky that everyone else was distracted. Well, most people anyway.”
“Ye hae better get tae the point of what ye want, otherwise I will show the point of something else,” Callan said, lifting the dagger.
Nora still hadn’t let go of it either, so her hand was raised as well. The man lifted his hands and chuckled.
“I apologize. I mean ye nae harm, truly. My name is Lucas, and I am here on behalf of the Black Ledger society.”
“I hae never heard of them,” Callan said.
“That is by design,” Lucas replied. “Ye hae been through a lot. I can offer ye food, shelter, and a place among us. All ye hae tae dae is help us deliver justice.”
“And what kind of justice would that be?” Nora asked.
“The kind that makes people pay fairly for their sins. I will be waiting for ye at the inn near the western pass tomorrow. I hope tae see ye there and if nae, may ye live peaceful lives,” he said, and receded back into the trees, this time not making a sound.
“Wait here,” Callan said, and promptly followed the path of Lucas.
He returned some moments later shaking his head, a bewildered look upon his face. “There is nae trace of him.”
“How odd. What dae ye think we should dae?”
“I think we should sleep on it. After all, I dinnae think it’s the life ye want. I did promise tae change my ways.”
“Aye,” Nora said, frowning, “but one thing dinnae sit right with me. MacPherson escaped. Naething hae really changed. People are gaeing tae suffer because of him. Can we truly sit by and let that happen? I dinnae ken if I can ignore it.”
“Well… I suppose it would nae hurt to hear what the man hae tae say,” Callan ventured.
Nora rolled her shoulders and nodded tentatively.
“But that’s something we can decide taemorrow.
For now, I believe ye said that ye wanted tae get out of this dress,” Callan said, slipping the knife out of her hand and pressing the blade against the dress.
He sliced through it deftly and the dress fell away, revealing her undergarments and her lilywhite flesh. Nora smiled, shedding the dress.
“Are ye sure ye hae the strength for this?” she said as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Och, lass, I am alive, aye? I aim tae make the most of life,” he grinned.
Nora rolled back and welcomed his lips, sinking into the grass and into this new life, whatever shape it would take.