Page 14 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
“Ye better find the last one, and ye better bring it to the castle by tonight. Or I’ll have ye thrown in the dungeons, ye hear me?” His words were cold, and the threat was clear.
The man’s eyes widened in shock, and his hands trembled as he searched frantically through the shelves, desperately looking for the missing herb.
Cassandra couldn’t help but marvel at the authority in Hunter’s voice; it was impossible to doubt his words. He didn’t just speak with power—he had the means to back it up.
The man muttered under his breath, more to himself than to anyone else.
“It’s nae here...I’ll have to send someone to fetch it,” he said, his voice unsteady.
Cassandra’s patience was wearing thin, and she was about to speak again when Hunter moved forward, his towering presence casting a shadow over the man.
“I daenae care who ye send. If it’s nae here by nightfall, ye’ll be the one makin’ the trip.” His voice brooked no argument, and Cassandra could see the man shrinking under Hunter’s glare.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man nodded shakily. “Aye, I’ll get it, Laird. I’ll make sure it’s delivered to the castle by tonight.” His voice quivered with fear, and it was clear that Hunter’s words had left a lasting impression.
Hunter turned to Cassandra, his stern demeanor softening slightly as he addressed her. “Ye’re nae to worry, lass. We’ll have what we need.”
Cassandra blinked in surprise, her mind racing. She had never seen such dominance in a man before, and the way Hunter commanded the situation left her feeling both unsettled andoddly reassured. She had her answers, for now, but as they turned to leave, she couldn’t shake the thought that there was more to Hunter than she had originally realized.
His presence was overwhelming, and though she didn’t know what to make of it, she couldn’t deny that it stirred something deep inside her.
Cassandra and Hunter mounted the horse once again, the familiar rhythm of the animal’s gait soothing her nerves as they rode back toward the castle. The wind ruffled her hair, and she couldn’t help but glance at Hunter, his tall figure silhouetted against the clear sky. The quiet between them was comfortable for the most part, but as they rode, she found herself wondering how to bridge the silence between them.
Finally, Hunter spoke, his deep voice breaking the stillness.
“How long ye reckon this treatment will take, Cassandra?” His question was casual, but the intensity of his gaze as he looked ahead told her that he was serious.
Cassandra thought for a moment, calculating the course of the disease in her mind.
“It could take anywhere from days to a month,” she replied, her voice steady. “The patients will need time to heal, especially since they’ve been sufferin’ for so long without proper care.”
She hoped her answer would ease any impatience Hunter might have, knowing that healing wasn’t something that could be rushed. The silence stretched again as she looked ahead, focusing on the path.
Hunter let out a low breath, his gaze never wavering from the horizon. “A month…” he murmured, more to himself than to her. “I’ll see to it ye have anythin’ ye need. Food, herbs, or anythin’ else. Just focus on gettin' them back to health.”
His tone was firm, but there was a softness in the way he offered to help, a tenderness that surprised her. She nodded, appreciating his gesture, though part of her remained wary of accepting too much from him.
“I’ll nae need much,” Cassandra said, glancing at him quickly. “I just need time and patience from the people here. And I’ll need to work without interruptions. If there are distractions…” She trailed off, unsure of how to explain her need for solitude while tending to the sick. “It could slow down the healin’ process,” she added after a beat, hoping he would understand.
Hunter turned his head to glance at her, “I’ll make sure there’s nay interruptions,” he said simply, his confidence unwavering. “The people here’ll know their place, and they’ll keep out of yer way. I trust ye to get the job done.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Let us have one more stop. There's a farmer that grows herbs just down the road. We shall check with him," Hunter said.
"Aye, that is best," she agreed.
His words were a quiet promise, and she found herself strangely comforted by his confidence in his abilities to make sure she got what she needed.
A quick stop at the farmer's hut was no help as he did not have the herbs needed and they were off again.
As they neared the castle, he felt a knot of tension slowly beginning to form in his chest. The castle loomed ahead, and he knew the real work was only just beginning. He had been focused on the immediate task at hand—helping Cassandra heal the sick—but there were so many unknowns that lay beyondthat. Couldshetruly heal this community? Or would her efforts fall short?
Just as they reached the entrance of the castle, a figure stepped forward from the shadows.
"Jessica, what is it?" Hunter asked.
“The man from the healer’s hut has brought every ingredient ye asked for.” Her words came out in a rush, as if she were eager to deliver good news.
