Page 94 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
From what Astrid could tell, there was only one way she was going to get to Olivia—she’d have to use the boat tied to the fallen oak tree.
“Hold fast,” she called as she steeled her nerves, realizing she’d have to paddle to get to Olivia. “I’m comin’ for ye.”
“Astrid, ye cannae. The second ye step foot on the island, he’ll kill ye. Turn around now. I’ll nae have ye risk yer life to save me.”
“Too late, I’m already here. Besides, ye’re like a sister to me. Ye think I can just walk away and leave ye? Nay. Now, hold on,” Astrid insisted as she searched the shadows and shrubs for Laird Chalium.
He was there somewhere, watching and waiting for her. He was patient, she had to give him that much.
With no sign of anyone around, she rushed to the boat and pushed it off into the water. She climbed in and got as low as she could while still able to paddle. It didn’t take her but a few hard strokes to direct the boat to the island.
“Astrid,” Olivia screeched as Astrid jumped out of the boat and rushed over to the tree she was bound to.
“I dinnae want to hear it—I’m already here. Now, as soon as yer hands are free, ye need to go. Ye get back to the castle, do ye understand? Dinnae look back, nay matter what ye hear.”
“I’ll nae leave ye with that madman,” Olivia scoffed as Astrid untied the rope pinning her to the tree.
“That wasnae part of our deal,” Laird Chalium’s voice boomed through the bog, rattling Astrid to the core. She looked at Olivia as panic shot through them. “I’ll let her leave, but ye’ll have to stay.”
“Nay, Astrid, come wit’ me,” Olivia begged as Astrid walked her to the boat and shoved her into it.
With a hard kick, Astrid pushed the boat into the water and watched it drift to the opposite shore.
“Ye wanted me, here I am,” she shouted, her voice carrying through the mist.
She closed her eyes and waited for the arrow to pierce her flesh. When no pain came, she dared to open her eyes.
“And so am I,” Laird Chalium growled. His hot breath tickled her ear.
The suddenness of his proximity startled her. She lunged away from him and stumbled over one of several dried branches littering the ground.
“I have to say, ye dinnae disappoint,” he said with a snicker.
Astrid’s heart skipped as dread and terror coursed through her. She considered charging for the bog and taking her chances with whatever foul creature called the swamp home.
“Ye came alone.”
“I gave ye me word that I would,” she said through clenched teeth as she tried to catch sight of Olivia.
Had she made it to the other side? Did Laird Chalium have men waiting to capture her?
Astrid’s mind reeled from the possibility that Olivia may not make it back to her home.
The second Thomas’s face flashed through her mind, her heart ached. There was no doubt she wanted to be with him. He had become more than just a protector to her. He had become her other half. He was the love she had been missing, and now that she was about to lose her life, everything became crystal clear.
“Why are ye smilin’? I’m about to run ye through and ye smile?” Laird Chalium hissed as he drew his dirk from its sheath.
“Once ye end me, I’ll be rid of ye,” Astrid hissed. “None of this will matter any longer, and I’ll be free. So, go on then. Put me out of me misery. See that me body is ravaged by the beasts of the land. I care nae, for I willnae be here for ye to torment me anymore.”
Laird Chalium’s vile smirk vanished. He arched an eyebrow and slipped the dirk back into its sheath as her words sank in. Slowly, he shook his head as his eyes focused on her again.
“Och, I dinnae think so,” he growled. “Ye think I’m goin’ to let ye have a quick death? Nay, dear lass. Ye marked me, and I shall return the favor. Dinnae think for a minute that I’m goin’ to let ye slip through me fingers again. I’m goin’ to enjoy this. Ye, on the other hand, may nae.”
Astrid swallowed past the lump of fear clogging her throat as he lunged for her.
Before she could step back, he had her. There was no point in thrashing about. She knew what she had come here to do. All she could do now was pray that he would finish her too quickly.
Moments of her life flashed before her eyes as he dragged her to the tree he had tied Olivia to.
