Page 78 of A Bride for the Icy Highlander
Abigail nodded, squeezing Kian’s hand tighter. “Then I’ll stay until he wakes up and tells me he’s all right.”
Leighton stepped to her and draped a soft blanket around her shoulders.
Abigail looked up at him. “What did ye do with Peyton?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Locked her in the dungeons, chained and gagged. I wanted to slit her throat, truth be told, but that’s for the Laird to decide—if he wakes up.”
“If?” Abigail’s voice rang sharp across the room. “Naeif, butwhen! Hewillwake up!”
Leighton’s mouth tightened. “Aye… ye’re right,” he said softly. “Forgive me.”
She turned away from him, the fire warming her back. Her eyes burned, but she refused to let more tears fall. She couldn’t lose Kian, not now.
She’d never expected to care for the man who had taken her from her home. But somehow, despite everything, he’d wormed his way into her heart. His stubbornness, his fierce protectiveness, the way he looked at her as if she were more than just a pawn.
She stood up and paced the room, her arms wrapped around her middle, unsure if it was the cold or fear that made her shiver.
It’s madness, is it nae? To care for the man who abducted me.
Still, when she stopped beside Kian and took his hand in her own, she felt something shift inside her. His fingers were cold, but she held them tightly.
“His skin is so cold.”
“I’ve done everything I can,” Helena sighed. “The tea might hold the poison at bay, but it willnae stop it for long.”
“There’s naught else?” Abigail asked, her voice trembling.
Helena shook her head. “There is one thing that might work—yarrow. But I have none left. I went to the villages to refill me stocks, but with the droughts, I found none.”
Abigail blinked, then a thought flashed like lightning through her mind.
“Wait, me sister,” she breathed. “Freya’s got yarrow in her garden, and she kens how to use it.”
Helena turned to her sharply. “Are ye sure?”
“Aye, certain,” Abigail said, already moving to the table. “She used it once when our sister fell ill. She’ll ken what to do. She always has bunches of dried herbs because she is a healer as well.”
She grabbed a quill and parchment. She dipped the quill in the inkpot and began to write with shaky hands. Ink smudged in one corner, and emotion clogged her throat.
She looked up at Leighton. “Ye must go to her. Take this letter and ride hard and fast. His life depends on it.”
Leighton nodded without hesitation. “Aye, I will find her.”
When she finished, she folded the letter tightly and handed it to him.
“Go,” she said. “And ride like the devil’s on yer heels.”
Leighton took the letter.
“I’ll take it to her,” he promised, holding her gaze. “Even if I have to ride through fire.”
Abigail watched as he turned on his heels and left, the door swinging shut behind him.
She stood there for a moment, her heart pounding, then slowly made her way back to Kian’s side.
Her fingers found his again, and this time she didn’t let go.
“Hold on,” she whispered. “Help is coming.”
