Page 6 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
“Be me bride, and I’ll save ye.”
CHAPTERFOUR
“I-I… What?” Rosaline sputtered, astounded.
Bride? Why would he want her to be his bride? Usually, men avoided being tied down. Or wanted a woman from a neighboring clan so he could acquire both. At least a woman with a decent dowry.
But she hadnothing, and she was sure he could see that as she stood before him, begging for help.
“Just say aye and we can go,” he added.
Rosaline’s mind raced. This was not a one-day offer. Marriage was for life.
She hardly knew this man. All she had seen so far was that he was wanted dead by at least four men, was a very skilled and experienced fighter, and was capable of killing.
He stood before her, the blood of his opponents still splattered across his clothing and face. What would he do with her?
“I see folk in the clearin’!” another nun yelled, sounding much closer now.
They were almost upon her. Every beating Rosaline had endured in the last few years sent pain through her body once again, as if to remind her of what she was running from.
She had survived it all, and she could survive more. But she would rather suffer at the hands of a beast than at the praying hands of those pretending to be holy.
“All right,” she replied, staring into his eyes for a brief moment, trying to get any information on this man’s true nature as she agreed to a life by his side.
“Well done.”
Caelan’s arm finally released her waist and slid under her bottom, the other stabilizing her back. He scooped her up into his arms and took off towards the other side of the clearing.
Rosaline was startled. It was all going too fast.
“What are ye doin’?” she protested. “I can walk.”
“Nae at the speed we need to move. Yer ankle’s injured.”
She had not even seen him glance at her ankle once. Her limp must have given her away despite her efforts to walk steadily.
Nevertheless, as much as she felt feeble in his arms, he got them out of the clearing faster than she ever could on her own, and soon they reached the faraway forest’s edge, nearing a horse tethered to the trees.
Caelan slowed down as they approached the brown mare and gracefully lifted her into the saddle.
It had been many years since Rosaline had last ridden a horse with her brother and father. She had always loved horses, and she missed hers terribly when she was first sent to the convent. Since the torture started, though, it had been a pleasure she had almost entirely forgotten.
As Caelan untied the horse quickly, she cast one final glance at the clearing. She saw the Abbess and her minions finally reach the clearing, emerging into the glow of the water in the sun. They dashed to the fallen men who had tried to kill Caelan, and the look she saw their faces distort in confusion. At least, the sight of four dead men would be distracting enough to slow down their chase and give her and Caelan time to escape.
She shifted her gaze away from them, endeavoring to never see their faces, hear their voices, or feel their wretched touch ever again. She hoped that Victoria would not be found out for helping her and would find peace in that evil place.
Caelan mounted the horse behind her, his body pressing up against hers, distracting her from her final thoughts of the convent. His strong thighs hugged her buttocks, and his kilt inched up as he bent his legs, securing them both in the saddle. His arms slid under hers and hugged her waist as he grabbed the horse’s reins. His chin brushed her right temple as he checked she was comfortable enough.
“Hurry,” she urged as she heard movement behind them.
They still had to get away safely.
“We made a deal,” Caelan reminded her as he kicked his heels into the horse’s flanks and they took off through the trees at full pelt. “I promised to protect ye in exchange for yer hand. I may nae be much, but I am a man of me word.”
He loosened his grip on the horse’s reins and let it take the lead through the trees, carrying them onwards and well out of reach of the nuns on foot.
Rosaline felt the wind in her hair as they rode at great speed, and gradually, the sense of freedom washed over her.
