Page 38 of The Speed of Lightning
Throwing a leg out, she tried to move, but fire ripped across her lap and she shrieked.
“Aoife, stop her!”
Hands pressed her shoulders down. A pretty maid’s face hovered above her in the haze, eyes wide, curls spilling from a knot. “Dinnae move, mistress.”
The healer’s voice sounded. “She needs a tonic before she tears herself apart.”
Freya drifted in twilight, reliving the same scenes over and over, unable to tear herself out of the horrible, swirling confusion.Rory’s crushing hand, the scalding pottage, screaming in the woods.
A hand caught hers.
“Calum?”
The healer pressed a stone cup to her lips. “Drink.”
She gulped greedily, liquid spilling down her chin, then began to cry again for thirst.
She had to go home. She shifted her legs, biting down the pain, reaching for the bed’s edge—only to be forced back by three sets of hands. The maid stripped away her chemise, the healer fanned her skin, and a red-haired woman pinned her down.
Freya narrowed her eyes. “Who are ye?”
The red-haired woman squeezed her shoulder, voice gentle. “Cara MacLean. I’m taking care of you.”
She remembered the name, certain now she was dreaming. “Lochindorb.”
Cara’s freckles lifted in a brief smile, though her eyes stayed wary. “That’s right.”
The maid fanned her. “Rest, mistress.”
Frigid, icy water washed her bare skin and she shivered.
“Chills,” the healer said. “Better.”
Freya’s voice croaked. “Calum…please.”
Cara shook her head. “He’s gone.”
“No!”
“He’ll return. He and Hector are tending matters.”
“The betrothal,” the maid reminded her softly.
Freya’s heart sank. “Rory?”
Cara and the maid exchanged a look.
Cara cleared her throat. “Hector’s sent word to Shadow to track him. If he comes near Moy, Calum’s team will…redirect him.”
Freya tried to understand. “Calum’s team?”
Cara nodded. “Yes. Do you understand?”
Freya shook her head, understanding the parts, but unable to fit them together. Again her eyes shut, her head beginning to throb. “No.”
“Think back to last night,” Cara whispered. “Calum has taken you for his bride.”
Heat sucked her under, keeping her lost in the murky darkness. Her heart pounded, fresh tears welled, sobs tearing from her throat. “Papa will kill him. Rory will killmy lad…my Calum…save him, please…sword dance…our tree…my Calum, my lad…”
