Lords of the Isles by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Anthology, Historical, Fiction
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2016-08-16T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Ceana watched with interest as Macrath picked up the needle and thread where Aaron had discarded it. The ground was cold beneath her back, and her hands shook from both pain and shock. Her chest welled with unspoken emotion. She knew a lot of it was the rush of battle yet to be released, the soul-wrenching pain of having taken a life and the unconditional care this warrior bestowed on her.

“I will gladly show you anything you ask,” Macrath said, softly.

She smiled, liking this tender side of him. His hand was still within hers and without hesitation she squeezed it, glad for his being there and for pardoning what she thought was unforgiveable. It was confusing and liberating all at once.

“I see that Aaron sewed your arm, where else are you cut?”

Ceana showed him her other hand where a gash was slashed on top—but not too deep. “I don’t think this one needs stitching, just bandages, but I do have one that pains me on my calf.”

She tried to sit up, but Macrath gently pushed her back down. “Will you let me do it?”

Nodding, she swallowed and watched the concern flicker over his face as he gripped the hem of her gown and slowly slid it up to her knee. Goose flesh rose along her leg and she wasn’t sure if it was from the autumn chill or the way Macrath intimately exposed her flesh. Maybe a little bit of both.

“ ’Tis a nasty gash you have here,” he murmured. He glanced around, a frown on his face. “There’s no whisky.”

Ceana smiled. “Need a wee nip?”

Macrath turned to her, a teasing grin curling his lips. “You will.”

Though her chin trembled, she said, “I can bear it.”

He did not hide his grimace well. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“ ’Tis the price I must pay.” She gave a slight shake of her head. “A penance to clean my soul.”

Macrath’s brows drew together and his mouth turned down at the corners. He leaned over her, an arm on either side of her head, bracing himself. “You do not deserve pain, Ceana. You did what you were ordered to do. ’Tis the same for any warrior. We do not go willingly into battle simply because we wish to maim and murder. Nay, lass, we do it because we are protecting what is ours.”

Ceana swallowed. “What are you protecting?”

“Right now? I’m protecting you from yourself. The better question is, what are you protecting, Ceana? Why did you come here?”

She chewed her lip, feeling the heat coming off of Macrath’s body in waves. The warmth of him, the way he made her feel safe, and eased some of her pain. “I am protecting my people.”

He gave a curt nod. “Then do not let yourself fall off the cliff of despair, my lady, because to do so would put those you aim to save at risk and all you’ve done would be for naught.”

The truth of his words sunk in. She’d known them all along, but it was hard to convince herself.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.