Page 36 of The Speed of Lightning
He slid an arm around her back. “Someplace with help.”
Her eyes widened and her gaze jerked to his, tears spilling, green and blue whirlpools dragging him under. “It hurts, Calum. I cannae bear it out of the water.”
His forehead came to rest against hers. “I know. But you cannae stay here. Nod when you’re ready—I’ll be as gentle as I can.”
She tightened her arms around him, braced, and nodded. A scream tore from her throat as he lifted her. “Hold on tight.”
Sprinting, he flew with her through the wood. Each step jostled her her body and she whimpered with every step he took. Her head rocked against his neck, her tears dampening his skin, the faint scent of heather and broth clinging to her.
“Hold on, love.”
Her weight sagged heavier with faintness, but he ran harder, terror biting at his heels. He would not lose her. Not again.
He didn’t slow until he reached his parents’ door, slamming his boot against it. Freya shivered, her color draining.
“Stay with me, Freya. I’ve got you.”
The door flew open. Da staggered forward, axe in hand, eyes squinting. “Och, son—my head’s pounding, you’ll wake our forefathers with that—” He stopped cold, seeing Freya limp in Calum’s arms. His face hardened as he brushed her hair from her clammy cheek. “What’s happened?”
Maw rushed out behind him, alarm flashing in her eyes. “Where did you go?” Her gaze swept from Calum’s bare chest to Freya’s shaking body, her skirt bunched high over blistered legs. “Sweet juniper—what have you done? Ragnall will be spitting fire?—”
“I havenae done anything. She needs a healer.”
Murdoch stumbled from the cottage, froze at the glimpse of Freya’s bare legs, and turned his eyes away.
Maw hurried forward, pressing a hand to Freya’s cheek. “There’s a healer in Knockrome.”
Calum shifted her weight in his arms, his patience burning away. “Her legs are scalded, Maw—bad. She needs a competent healer, no’ some Knockrome witch stuffing goat eyes in her mouth. I’m taking her to Lochbuie.”
Freya began to shift in his arms. “I cannae leave Papa. He’ll recover in the morning—I—I’ve never left Jura. I’ve never even been to Islay.”
Calum ignored her plea. If he went to Ragnall to attempt an explanation, he was afraid of what he might do. “I’m taking you where he’ll need an army to get to you. To get past me. His days of doing whatever he pleases to you are over.”
Da’s face became solemn. “Son, do you ken what this will mean?”
By taking her in the middle of the night Calum was claiming her as his own, creating a legally binding union between his family and hers. He would need to bring her home as his wedded wife, along with the bride-price for her father’s coffers.
Calum felt her shiver again in his arms. “Aye. I’ve made my choice.”
Da bent to kiss her forehead. “I’ll face your father in the morning, my star. Stay with Calum. Trust him—he will protect you.”
Murdoch moved to follow. “I’ll go with you.”
“No!” Calum snapped, patience fraying. “Stay with Da. He’ll need a witness when he confronts Ragnall. I’ll need all the help I can get if this matter is brought before the king.”
Freya sobbed, clutching at the bandages. “I want to claw at them—please, just leave me to die.”
Maw lifted the wet cloth from her legs. Her face blanched, eyes wide with horror. She motioned frantically. “Hurry, Calum. Run. Run!”
He bolted across the field, crashing down the boat slip and lowering her into the auld skiff. From the bottom of the boat she began to shift, tears streaking her cheeks. “I’m afraid—I’m so afraid. Please, Calum…” She reached for him, clutching his neck as if she would be dragged her back into the nightmare she’d lived for twenty-six years. “Calum, don’t let me go.”
Her fear was a spear to his chest. Holding her tight, he willed his strength into her trembling frame. “Shhh, love. I’m here. Listen to me.” He wiped her tears, forcing her anguished eyesto his. “Your wounds are grave. If I leave you here, there’s every chance you willnae survive the night. And if you do, I fear your father will do worse. That’s why you’re staying with me—from this moment on.”
An agonized sob tore from her chest. “I dinnae want to survive. I just want it all to end. I cannae do this anymore.”
Her trembling worsened, and he felt the pulse thrumming at her neck, noting the way her breathing was labored. He’d seen it once before. A young warrior at the skirmish in Inverness burned with boiling oil. Shock was setting in, he needed to get her flat. “I promise you do want to make it through this. Do you remember the day you helped me escape?”
“Aye. Of course.”
