Lynn Kurland - Macleod Family 01 by A Dance Through Time

Author:A Dance Through Time
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-11-25T23:57:18+00:00

Chapter 18

THE SCREAM TORE through Jamie's consciousness. He dragged his eyes away from the small fortune of gems in his palm and searched the surrounding field. His eyes fell first on the witch at the stake and second on Elizabeth, who stood nearby, motionless. He shoved the jewels and his gold at Ian and sprinted the distance that separated him from his love.

He whirled her around and wrapped his cloak around her. "Put your fingers in your ears," he commanded hoarsely.

She didn't move. If he had not felt the tremors that shook her so violently, he would have thought her stone dead on her feet. He turned her head and pressed her ear against his chest. He covered the other side of her head with his palm, praying he would cut off the shrieks coming from the woman writhing in the midst of the flames.

The girl was no witch. Jamie knew her for one of Guilbert's servants who had been in high favor with him during the spring. Either she had been found gotten with child, or she had taken a fancy to someone besides the laird. Either way, her fate had been sealed long before she knew what was coming.

Guilbert McKinnon put more witches to death than the rest of Scotland united.

The smell of burning wood and charring flesh almost made Jamie retch. How did Guilbert live with himself?

"Fine sport, isn't it, MacLeod?" Guilbert drawled from beside him.

Jamie didn't bother to look at him. "I can think of finer."

"Why do you hide your betrothed? She should see what we do to witches here."

Jamie didn't miss the thinly veiled accusation. He favored Guilbert with a frosty look. "She has been sheltered the whole of her life. I see no reason to upset her by your sport."

The McKinnon's eyes narrowed. "I find it odd you never spoke of a betrothed before, MacLeod.

You have an heir; what need you with a woman to tie you down? I spoke with your cousin Nolan a few days back. He says the wench came from the forest, and we all know what the forest spews out. Indeed, you carry yourself like a man enchanted."

Jamie allowed his mouth to curve into a very unpleasant smile. "You don't want me as an enemy, McKinnon."

Guilbert backed down. It obviously galled him to do it, but he knew he had gone too far. He stepped back a pace, then turned and strode away.

The woman's screams had long since faded, but the melting of her flesh was no less gruesome.

Jamie swept Elizabeth up into his arms and carried her back to their camp. His men were mounted and waiting.

Ian held Elizabeth while Jamie mounted, then handed her up to him. She was still, not even trembling anymore. He tilted her face up and looked into her vacant eyes. She was so far away, he knew he wouldn't be able to reach her until she calmed.

He pulled his cloak close around her and spurred Astronaut on. He never should have brought her.

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