Page 66 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
“Ye said the path gets narrow?” she asked as he led her through the underbrush.
“Aye. Near the top, there’s a spot that’s barely wide enough for one,” Ryder said, holding his thumb and forefinger four inches apart. “Mind ye, that was in my youth. There’s nay tellin’ what the trail looks like now.”
“I kenned the moment I laid eyes on ye that ye’re a pessimistic fellow. It was the stern brow and judgmental glare ye gave everyone as ye rode up. Ye are a man with very few cares. But could ye do me a favor and pretend that all will be well?” Morgana scoffed as she trekked behind him.
“What makes ye think it willnae be?” Ryder asked as he glanced over his shoulder.
The water was coming down in torrents, making the ground slicker by the moment. It was clear that Morgana was nearing her breaking point. If she did snap, he wouldn’t blame her. After all, it was his idea to come to the pond. As long as he didn’t show fear, maybe she’d keep her wits about her.
“Look around ye,” she huffed. “The water is comin’, and we arenae movin’ fast enough.”
“It’s nae about bein’ fast if a missed step will land us in the water. Now, do ye have yer eyes on the horse still?” Ryder asked.
Suddenly, his foot slipped. If it weren’t for the small tree to his right, he would have tumbled down into the torrent.
“Then we take our time,” Morgana panted. Her eyes were wide, and the fear in them blazed like the fires of hell. “And nay, I lost the horse. The rain is too much. I can barely see two feet in front of me.”
“Just hold on to me. Dinnae let go, nay matter what. Do ye understand? If ye go under, I go under,” Ryder called over his shoulder.
“Aye,” Morgana called back.
Ryder’s heart rate quickened as the water level rose. They were going to need to move faster. If only he could remember where the water drained into the valley. But there were too many shoots and narrow passages he didn’t dare risk it.
“Just a wee bit further,” he encouraged as he glanced at the trail and shook his head. His shoulders dropped as he relented. “Then up the switchback. As long as we keep movin’, we’ll be fine.”
“The water is up to my shins,” Morgana groaned.
Ryder paused at the start of the trail and watched her struggle with the heavy fabric of her skirts for a moment. He flexed his jaw. “Take off yer skirts.”
“I beg yer pardon,” Morgana gasped.
Ryder wasn’t in the mood to make or hear excuses. He reached into his boot and pulled a small blade from its sheath. With determination in his eyes, he stomped toward her.
“Turn around,” he growled as he grabbed a handful of her wet skirt in one hand and held his blade in the other.
As she turned, he carefully cut off the damaged bit. He couldn’t help but smirk as her skin was bared to him inch by inch.
“What are ye doin’?”
“The fabric will just weigh ye down, which will eventually weigh me down if I get stuck havin’ to carry ye halfway up. And I’m nae goin’ to stop to cut it then. Best get it done and over with,” Ryder explained as he studied her.
She was tough and stronger than he could give her credit for, and at the moment, he needed her to believe it too.
“I cannae do this,” Morgana whispered as she hung her head.
“Aye, ye can, and we will do it together. Just follow me.”
“And what of the pass? What if we get up there and we cannae cross? Then it’ll all be for naught.” She glared at the muddy trail ahead of them.
Regret settled over Ryder like the dreary clouds over his head.
“Do ye want to stay here?” he asked as he turned to the canyon filling with water. The trees that stood like sentinels in the valley of the canyon had been swallowed by the raging water. The peacefulness of the area had turned violent and deadly in a flash. For a moment, Ryder couldn’t help but wonder if maybe their presence had stirred the fairies ire.
Morgana shook her head and started up the winding trail.
Inch by inch, they moved. The water rose and lapped at their heels. Ryder’s mind was focused on the path ahead of him. With only one prayer echoing in his head, he made his way up to higher grounds. Even if they couldn’t cross, he hoped they could get high enough. Even if it meant climbing to the top of the canyon walls.
“We’re almost there,” he said, trying to encourage Morgana as she stumbled behind him. “The trail is just up ahead.”
