Page 39 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
“I daenae want to stay in bed anymore,” she said softly. “I feel better, Faither.” Her voice wavered slightly, but she held her ground, glancing nervously at Cassandra as if hoping for support.
Cassandra’s frown deepened as she stepped forward, unable to hold her tongue.
“She’s doin’ well enough to move about,” she said, folding her arms. “Walkin’ a bit will do her more good than lyin’ in bed all day.” She caught the flicker of hesitation in Hunter’s eyes before his jaw tightened once more.
Hunter glanced between Cassandra and Elena, clearly torn. He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face.
“If I find her collapsed from exhaustion later, ye’ll regret it,” he muttered to Cassandra.
Cassandra squared her shoulders and stepped closer to Hunter, her voice firm. “It’s good for Elena to walk around if her strength is up to it. She needs to build herself back up, nae waste away in bed.”
Hunter’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “That is none of yer business,” he snapped. “She’s me daughter, and I’ll decide what’s best for her.”
Cassandra lifted her chin, refusing to back down. “Itisme business, Hunter, because Elena is me patient,” she shot back. “And as her healer, I’m tellin’ ye she’s better off movin’ about than bein’ confined like some invalid.”
His nostrils flared as he stepped closer, towering over her. “If ye truly cared for her well-bein’, then ye’d be more mindful of her limits instead of encouragin’ recklessness.” he growled. “Get her back into her bed where she belongs!”
Cassandra’s hands balled into fists at her sides. “Recklessness?” she scoffed. “I’d call it healin’—but ye wouldnae ken much about that, would ye? All ye see is yer own fear, and ye’re lettin’ it hold Elena back!”
Hunter’s face darkened further, but before he could retort, he turned his head toward Elena. “Back to bed, now,” he ordered, his voice sharp and final.
Elena hesitated, glancing between them with wide, uncertain eyes. But at last, she obeyed, her shoulders slumping as she turned and made her way back to her cot.
Cassandra exhaled sharply, her patience worn thin. “Fine,” she muttered, shaking her head. “If ye want to smother the lass, do it yerself. I’ve more important things to do.”
Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the hall, her heart pounding with frustration.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Daniel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Ye ken she was right, aye?” he said, tilting his head toward Hunter. “Ye’re bein’ a stubborn fool, brother. The lass was only doin’ what’s best for Elena.”
Hunter turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. “I’m cautious,” he growled. “Elena’s been sick for weeks. I willnae have her wakin’ tomorrow feelin’ worse because she’s been wanderin’ about when she should be restin’.”
Hunter paced the length of his chamber, his jaw clenched tight. His encounter with Cassandra still burned in his mind, her sharp words cutting deeper than he cared to admit.
He had only wanted to protect Elena, to keep her from pushing too hard too soon. But now, Daniel’s amused smirk across the room made his temper flare even more.
Daniel scoffed, shaking his head. “Ye should leave that to the healer, then. What good is it to have a woman as skilled as Cassandra here if ye refuse to listen to her?”
Hunter’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “I listen,” he muttered. “But I also ken me daughter. I ken how fragile she’s been.”
Daniel exhaled through his nose, his expression shifting from teasing to serious. “Aye, ye ken her well. But fear is cloudin’ yer judgment. Elena’s nae as fragile as ye think, and Cassandra wouldnae put her in harm’s way. She’s a healer, Hunter. She kens what she’s doin’.”
Hunter ran a hand through his hair, frustration mounting. He knew Daniel had a point, but the idea of letting go, of trusting someone else with Elena’s well-being, unsettled him.
Daniel studied him for a moment before a smirk tugged at his lips. “But that’s no’ what’s really got ye in a foul mood, is it?”
Hunter shot him a glare. “And what, pray tell, do ye think is the real issue?”
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. “Och, ye like the lass. And it’s makin’ ye mad with anger tryin’ to fight it.”
Hunter scoffed, but his brother’s words struck something deep within him. The thought of Cassandra’s fiery eyes, her fiercedetermination, the way she stood toe-to-toe with him without a hint of fear—he cursed under his breath.
Daniel leaned forward, tapping the arm of his chair. “Go find her,” he said, his voice losing its teasing edge. “Apologize. Ye’re nae foolin’ anyone but yerself. Ye care for the lass, and ye ken it.”
Hunter let out a long breath, his fists relaxing at his sides. He hated to admit it, but Daniel was right. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room, determined to find Cassandra.
Hunter stood outside Cassandra’s chamber door, his fists clenched at his sides. He had never been the type to apologize, but something about her made him feel the need to set things right. He exhaled sharply before knocking, the sound heavy in the quiet corridor. When the door opened, Cassandra’s face was unreadable, her gaze cool as she looked at him.
