Ashlyn (The Highland Clan Book 5) (16 page)

“Forgive me, but I cannot allow you to fall asleep. You must stay awake. If you fall off your horse, I shan’t be able to get you back on it.”

“I’ll hang on just for you.”

“Do you think Glenn lied about knowing that MacNiven is alive?”

“Nay, but MacNiven knows that Buchan hates the Ramsays and the Grants, so he will probably search him out for assistance.”

“And Davina is there.”

“Aye, Davina fears him, but she also loved him. If he comes to her with open arms, I believe she’ll follow him, or at least hide him, either from fear or from love.”

“Is your wound still bleeding?”

“Nay, it stopped long ago.”

“Does it pain you much?”

“Nay, it has no feeling.”

His head dipped down, but she thought he was looking at his wound so she took a moment to glance up at the gray sky. The snow was a bit deeper here, but the horses were plodding along. As soon as she returned her gaze to Magnus, she realized her mistake. He slid off his horse, directly into a snow bank.

“Nay, Magnus, nay.” She jumped down from her horse, almost falling, but caught herself in time. Hellfire, what was she to do now?

Kneeling next to him, she shook him. “Magnus.” He didn’t flinch. Apparently, the snow had prevented any injuries from the fall. Though it looked like the wound in his leg hadn’t opened again, she was worried she’d never get him back on the horse.

She searched the area for aught she could use to get him on the horse, but found nothing other than a couple of logs. Perhaps she could tug him onto one and sling his upper body over the horse. But she had to get him there first.

She tied his feet to the back of the horse and led the horse over to the logs. She offered a quick prayer of thanks for the snow, especially because it was hard-packed snow instead of the light, fluffy stuff that had protected Magnus in his fall. If not for the snow, she would never have been able to drag him across the field, so she vowed not to complain when the temperature continued to drop.

Once she untied him, she tried to awaken him, but he would not move. Refusing to give up, she put her hands under his arms and tugged him over to the logs. Her horse was already standing there, having found some greens to munch on around the logs, so she made several attempts to lift him. Then she finally did the only thing she could do.

She sat on the log, pulling him close enough to settle his head in her lap, and she cried. She cried the biggest tears she’d ever cried, hugging him close, kissing his cheeks.

“Magnus, forgive me, but I cannot lift you. I can barely move you at all, but I promise not to leave you. I love you and I’ll never leave you. Do you hear me? I swear I will love you forever. You are such a good man.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. After all these years of swearing off men, she couldn’t believe the irony of the situation. She’d finally fallen in love, but she couldn’t enjoy it.

A short time later, when her tears finally dried up, she heard a familiar whooshing sound that echoed through the trees. It came from a wee distance away from them. Though it hurt to leave Magnus, she rushed into the trees.

A Ramsay arrow lay embedded in the tree trunk in front of her. She raced back to her horse, located her bow and arrows, and then shot several into the air in different directions, hoping whoever was out there would notice it just as she had heard the arrow that was now embedded in the tree. She was running back toward the path, traveling in the direction they had just come from, when her gaze caught something that made her jump up and down with glee.

“Uncle Logan, Aunt Gwyneth. Over here. Please. I need your help.” She waved her arms until they caught sight of her and hurried to her side.

“Ashlyn? Where’s Magnus?” Uncle Logan asked. “I saw the tracks and shot the arrow hoping you would notice it. I did not think there were many others this far in the Highlands after the storm.”

“He’s wounded.” She pointed to the area she’d come from and the two dismounted and followed her to his side.

“We ran into MacNiven and his men. He killed many, but he suffered a bad cut on his leg. He lost quite a bit of blood. He was awake until a short time ago, but then he fell off his horse. I could not get to him in time to help him balance.”

They did their best to awaken him, but still no luck.

“We need to get him to Caralyn and to warmth,” Aunt Gwyneth said. “Let’s lay him right over the horse.” The three of them managed to get him into a position that would keep him on the horse.

Uncle Logan hugged Ashlyn and said, “Well done in getting him this far. We are almost on Grant land.”

Aunt Gwyneth took her hand and led her over to her horse. “Mount up, my dear,” she said, helping her. “We need to get you both home. Your color is not much better than his. You must have been stuck in the storm for a while.”

“We found an abandoned hut to stay in,” she said. “‘Twas cold but we had some wood.”

“You are safe now, ‘tis what’s important.”

Once they were on the path, the obvious finally dawned on Ashlyn. “Why are you both here? Has something happened?”

Aunt Gwyneth nodded. “Aye, Molly had a bad feeling about the two of you, and we’ve found her predictions to be quite accurate. We sent her home because her visions were causing her too much pain. The others traveled back to Clan Ramsay to protect Molly and Sorcha. We’ll get MacNiven, but first we must protect ourselves.”

Uncle Logan glanced at Aunt Gwyneth. “Appears you are correct, wife. Our eldest daughter is a seer.”

Chapter Seventeen

Terrified that Magnus would never wake up, Ashlyn fought tears for the rest of their journey.

As soon as they crossed into Grant land, Uncle Logan said, “Gwyneth, go on ahead. Advise them of Magnus’s condition so we can get him care as swiftly as possible. Tell them we shall head to his cottage since it is closer to Caralyn.”

Gwyneth took off in a gallop, flying across the field ahead of them.

Ashlyn kept praying silently, desperate to do something, anything, to help him.

Just before the Grant castle came into view, Uncle Logan spoke to her, though his gaze rested on Magnus between them. “I’m detecting a bit of a change in your countenance, lass. Do you wish to share aught with me?”

She managed to choke out, “Nay.”

“Before you left Clan Grant, you could barely tolerate Magnus’s presence. You no longer feel the same?”

“Nay.”

“I will not ask you to tell all, because I know you will need to speak to your laird when we arrive, but I’m sensing strong feelings from you. Is it guilt or true feelings for the man?”

“Both.”

“Say no more. Remember one thing, Ashlyn. He’s a strong man, and if you’ve given him a reason to live, he’ll be more likely to come back. And a man can love two women. My brother adored both of his wives, so remember your uncle Quade when you wonder about that.”

Ashlyn nodded, knowing that she’d fall apart if she spoke. The moon shone bright by the time they arrived at the Grant keep, the reflection off the snow lighting their way as they headed toward the gates. A group of riders came out to greet them, Gwyneth among them.

As they came close, Ashlyn could make out her stepfather and her brother Roddy, along with her cousins Jake and Connor. Home, she was finally home. After all the times she’d hoped to go off as a Grant warrior, she’d discovered the truth. It wasn’t as exciting as she’d expected. Her home was here on Grant land, and it was the best place in the world. She had no desire to leave again. Her heart swelled to see her stepsire, her brother, and her cousins. The people she loved most of all were here to greet them and help her get Magnus home. What a fool she’d been! She chastised herself. Why could she not be happy with all that she had here? If she’d not insisted on becoming a warrior, this never would have happened.

“Ashlyn, you are hale?” Robbie asked, his voice heavy with worry.

She nodded. “We must get Magnus to Mama.”

“She and Gracie are already at his cottage, getting ready for his arrival. We’ll follow so we can get him inside.”

They continued on, and a small contingency of guards fell in with them when they were closer to the gates, ready to escort them to Magnus’s cottage. They traveled in silence, and Ashlyn did her best to keep her tears inside.

Once they reached the cottage, Ashlyn jumped off her horse and ran in ahead of the men, heading straight for her mother. She threw herself into her mama’s arms and pleaded with her, “Please fix him, Mama. Fix him.”

Her mother hugged her and then kissed her forehead. “Tell me his injuries.”

Ashlyn hugged her sister, who stood by their mama’s side, while she talked. “His left thigh. He took a sword there, but it was a while before we could pinch the wound. He bled quite a bit, but he was awake for most of the day.”

Gracie squeezed Ashlyn back and then rushed over to hold the front door open. Not knowing what else to do, Ashlyn trailed her mother into the bed chamber. Jake, Connor, Roddy, and Robbie carried Magnus inside the hut and then to the bed chamber. Connor and Roddy moved out of the small chamber as soon as they set down their charge, but Jake and Robbie stayed.

Caralyn issued orders. “Robbie, use your dagger to cut his trews off. I need to see the wound.”

“I’ll help,” Ashlyn said, eager to do something.

“Mayhap you should take care of your needs first? You do not look well, Ashlyn.” Her mother bustled around the room while her stepsire started to remove Magnus’s clothing. “Gracie can help me.”

Gracie, who’d followed the lads into the chamber, stood in the corner, wide-eyed confusion evident on her face. Ashlyn knew why without asking—it was because she’d never acted this way about a man, any man.

“Mama, I’m fine. I’ll stay and help. ‘Tis my fault this happened to him. Why, if I hadn’t insisted on going on the mission, I would not have needed a protector, and this would never have happened.”

Uncle Logan stood in the doorway, his hands on his hips. “Niece, we mustn’t blame ourselves for aught that happens while we are working to protect our clan. Unless you held the sword that sliced his flesh open, ‘twas not your fault. Get past that so we can move forward.”

She swiped at the tears fighting to get out and forced herself to nod.

Another voice came from behind her uncle. “He is correct in his assessment, lass. You did not choose him as your protector, I did. The person at fault is the warrior who held the sword that cut him. No one else.”  Uncle Logan moved aside, and Uncle Alex appeared in the door frame. “Caralyn, when you no longer require her help, please send Ashlyn to me so I can hear about all that transpired. And Ashlyn, well done getting him home.”

Uncle Alex moved back into the other room. Robbie, finished with his work, followed him out and closed the door.

Caralyn turned to face Ashlyn. “The wound does not look dirty, but hold it open while I wash it out.”

“He said he tried to clean it with snow, though he had his trews on, so ‘twas difficult. Why does he not awaken, Mama?”

Ashlyn’s mother scrubbed the blood and dirt away, then covered the wound with a poultice. “Probably because of all the bleeding. Men often sleep when they bleed heavy, but ‘tis also the end of the day, so I suspect he is tired from fighting. He may wake by morn. There is no fever, but that could still set in in another day or two. Are you sure he has no other injuries? He did not hit his head, did he?”

“Nay, not that I saw.”

“Where were you when he took the sword in his leg?”

“I was behind the curtain wall, but when I heard the commotion, I climbed a tree and used my bow. I hit several of the men, and the rest ran.”

“And was Magnus still moving at that point?”

“Aye, he walked to the wall, and I fetched his horse and helped him to mount. He rode for most of the day. Then he just fell over.”

“He did not hit his head?”

“Nay, he landed on his side in a big snowbank.”

“Lasses, hold his leg up so I can bandage him.”

Ashlyn and Gracie both did as they were instructed.

“He means more to you that just a protector, does he not, daughter?”

Ashlyn’s gaze caught her mother’s smile, and she did all she could not to weep uncontrollably. “Aye, Mama, I love him,” she said, her voice strangled. “Please save him.”

“You do?” Gracie whispered in disbelief.

“Aye.”

Her mother arched an eyebrow at her, then whispered, “Good.”

“Good?” Ashlyn was totally confused. She could see naught that was good in their desperate situation.

“Aye, ‘tis about time you lost your heart to someone. Magnus will guard your heart well, once he awakens.”

“Then…then you think he will?”

“Aye. He’s a strong man, and if he knows how you feel, he will awaken for you. Now that the bandage is finished, why do you not go answer our laird’s questions? Gracie can finish here with me. You can answer
my
questions later.” Her mother winked and smiled as she rinsed out some linen squares to use on the wound.

Ashlyn moved into the other chamber where her uncles, Logan and Alex, sat with Jake and her stepsire. Jake stood and ushered her to a chair. “Come and sit. You look exhausted. If you’ve the strength, please tell us what transpired.”

She explained about the cottage they’d used for shelter in the storm, and how they had found the dead deer and followed the tracks to the castle. Only two eyebrows quirked at the mention of the two of them staying alone in the hut—her stepsire’s and Jake’s. Naught was said by anyone. She gave them the general location of the new path, and how they had followed it to the crumbling keep.

“Logan tells me you believe ‘twas MacNiven. Are you sure?”

“I saw him from afar with his helm on, but Magnus recognized him. The talk we overheard certainly sounded like him.”

“Any idea what their plans are?” Uncle Alex asked, drumming his fingers on the table.

“When my arrows killed two of his men, MacNiven raced for the front of the keep. He gave instructions for one of the men to kill Magnus, then he whirled around and fled. The others followed him. I put an arrow in the belly of the man aiming for Magnus, and I tried to shoot MacNiven,” she paused, trying to collect herself. “I caught him in the shoulder, but then I noticed Magnus was barely moving and another ran after him, so I shot him in his chest and climbed out of the tree.”

The floodgates finally opened, and down came the tears. “I could have tried to shoot MacNiven again, but Magnus…I decided…the other man could have killed him.” Her face now covered with tears, she was unable to finish her sentence.

Jake, seated next to her, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “I’m quite pleased you chose to take care of my best friend instead of taking off after that fool. ‘Twas the right thing to do.”

“I could have put an end to all of this, but then I…”

“I would have done the same. I agree with Jake, you made the correct choice.” Uncle Logan crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“We all agree, now you need to accept ‘tis true.” Uncle Alex stood and moved to the door, filling up the entire frame. “Jake, there’s little more we can do. He’s a strong warrior. I expect we’ll talk to him by the morrow. Logan, come back to the great hall for an ale?”

Before they left, Alex stopped with his hand on the door handle. “Ashlyn, you alone wounded the man who has escaped all of us, you’ve made me proud to call you a Grant warrior. Hold your head high.”

“My thanks, my laird.” She sniffled because her tears had finally slowed. The reality of what her laird had just said settled on her. Was it the truth? Was she the only warrior to have injured MacNiven? She fought with everything she had back at that curtain wall, but she’d been ready to go home when in Edinburgh. There was no reason to be embarrassed. Suddenly, she looked at all that transpired in a different light. Uncle Alex was proud of her!

Once they left, she dragged herself back into Magnus’s room. Her mother had finished covering his wound with fresh linens. “Ashlyn, I’m finished. We’ll let him sleep and hope he awakens in the morn. I’ll stay the night with him. Why do you not go home with Gracie? You are exhausted.”

“Nay, Mama. I’ll stay. In fact, I’m going to climb into bed next to him. Why do you not go home and rest? Someone else may need you. I can care for him. I know this may not suit your sensibilities, but we have been traveling alone since Edinburgh.”

Her mother stopped in her tracks to gaze at her daughter.

“I have verra few nightmares when he sleeps near me. ‘Tis where I sleep best. In fact, he helped me to remember some of my past. I’ll share with you another day.” She climbed into his bed, cuddled next to him with her clothes on, and closed her eyes. “I’m tired, Mama.”

She didn’t see her mother leave with a smile on her face.

***

His eyes felt like they’d been sewn shut, but he managed to slowly peel them open. He was in a bed, in the middle of the night, judging by the darkness…but the last thing he recalled was heading home with Ashlyn after seeing MacNiven. Something warm lay beside him, and he smiled when her sweet scent reached him. He could think of no better way to awaken than with his Ashlyn tucked against him.

He kissed her forehead and she moved her head, her eyes opening, trying to focus.

“You are awake? Magnus, you are better?” She sat up enough to get a good look at him.

“Aye, lass. This is the way I wish to always awaken. But my memory fails me. How did we get here? The last thing I recall was trying to stay upright on my horse.”

She filled Magnus in on the details, and his hands began to wander while she talked, caressing her hips, pulling at the ribbons on her gown.

“You must get yourself out of these garments. Get those trews off. If I’m to hold you, I wish to feel your soft skin, not rough wool.”

She continued to talk while he helped her remove her clothing, then he nuzzled her neck before he stopped her story completely by melding his lips to hers. He delved deep into her mouth with his tongue, and she moaned—a beautiful sound. Then she broke the kiss and pulled back. Looking into his eyes, she said, “I love you, Magnus. I do not know if you remember me telling you.”

“Aye, I do, and sweeter words I’ve never heard. You may say it as many times as you wish.” His hands came up to cup her breasts, his thumbs rotating on top of her nipples.

“How is your leg? Does it pain you much?”

“Not a bit. Why? Is there something wrong with it?” He waggled his brow at her to let her know that something as inconsequential as a leg wound would not stop him in his pursuit of seeing her enjoy her sensuality again.