Page 90 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
To his relief, this time, she did not argue and helped her injured brother to his feet.
Noah glanced back at her as she turned to head into the keep. Without conscious thought his hand shot out. She met it quickly with her own, squeezing his fingers as their eyes met for a charged moment.
“Be careful,” she said softly.
I will die for ye if I have to.Noah thought.I would risk everythin’ to see ye safe.
He nodded, letting her hand fall and looked back at the crowd.
Although the overall numbers had diminished considerably—many having fled at the first signs of a real battle—a huge group still remained.
He looked back at the castle, and Callum did the same. His man-at-arms glanced at him, waiting for the order. With a heavy heart, Noah nodded his head.
At Callum’s signal, dozens of guards spilled from the castle gates and took up position behind them.
Noah looked back at the faces of the farmers and village folk that had come here today, all for the sake of a lie.Och, how I wish that things could be different.
“I am the laird of this land,” he shouted. “I will defend what is mine, but I dinnae wish to harm any of ye. Leave, and I shall allow it. No one will be hurt if ye return to yer homes.”
A few stragglers at the back melted away into the trees behind them, but his heart sank as the majority remained.
He knew that killing the priest had aggravated an already volatile situation. He did not regret it, but he wished it did not have to be this way.
“Leave now, or we shall be forced to defend this castle,” Noah shouted.
The men in the crowd bunched together — many with swords, dirks, and torches held high, others with simple farming tools.
Noah looked at Callum.
“Tell the men to disperse them. No loss of life that can be prevented.”
“Subdue to defend.”
“Aye.”
Callum gave the order, and as it was passed along the line, Noah stood his ground, looking out at the determined faces of his people.
“Good luck,” Callum said as he raised his sword aloft.
“God help us all,” Noah sighed.
He raised his arm over his head and, with a heavy heart, gave the order to attack.
* * *
Keira heard Noah’s voice ring out, followed by shouts and battle cries from the villagers as she helped Scott climb the last of the stairs to her chambers.
Her hands were still shaking from the shock of seeing him injured. She knew that he would be alright, but the fear that had filled her heart when Lucas had attacked him would not leave her.
As they staggered through the door to her rooms, she tried not to think about what was happening outside. She could hear the faint clashing of swords and the war cries of village men. They should never have been fighting trained soldiers. Many would lose their lives tonight.
She lowered Scott to the bed, ripping away the léine from his body and trying not to dwell on the amount of blood covering his torso.
She turned sharply as Fenella and Daisy burst into the room.
Daisy gave a cry of pain as she saw Scott on the bed and Fenella’s eyes brimmed with tears.
“He is safe, flower,” Keira said hurriedly, “but ye cannae be in here; I must work. He will be alright. Go back to yer room. Fenella, stay with her.”
