Page 80 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
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.”
