Page 62 of To Charm a Highlander

Haydon wrapped his arm around Callum’s chest to keep him from running toward his brother.

“Remain still,” Haydon barked.“He is crazy enough to slice her throat.”

“Verra smart, laird,” Fraser said.He waited about a tense minute before bellowing, “Where are my men?And where are the horses?”His hold on her remained the same, but he shifted when he shouted, and loosened the hand that held the knife to her throat.

Donella used that moment of distraction to apply a movement Angus had taught her.Either this would work, or she would die looking at her beloved husband across the room.

With swiftness even she dinna ken she possessed, but assumed was from desperation, she linked her fingers, moved her arms straight out and with all her strength, she slammed her elbow into Fraser’s middle.

The mon was a warrior, so she dinna plan on hurting him, but she did accomplish what she’d intended.The shock of her movement caused Fraser to drop the knife.Before anyone else could react, she bent and grabbed the knife and plunged it into his chest with the force of all the stored up anger she felt.He fell to the ground like a wounded boar.

Donella turned and raced into Callum’s arms.Haydon and Conall strode up to Fraser.Haydon bent down on one knee and placed his fingers on the mon’s neck.“Ye did it this time, lass.The knife went straight into his heart.He’s dead.”

Confusion reigned as the Gunn prisoners were brought up to the solar from the dungeon.Callum still couldna believe his wee wife had saved herself from the brute.

He held her close as she shook and cried.The questions he had could wait until she calmed down.

Haydon walked to where the Gunn warriors were, the shocked look on their faces as they stared at Fraser was almost amusing.“Callum is yer laird now.Either kneel and swear yer loyalty to him, or ye will spend the rest of yer days in the dungeon.”

Without hesitation the men knelt before him and pledged their allegiance.Callum nodded as each mon spoke.He kenned the men since he’d lived at the castle his whole life before Fraser threw him out.

He had no idea how much loyalty would be offered to him by the rest of the Gunn clan, but that wasna something he concerned himself with now.

“My love, I think it would be a good idea to leave the room.”Even though Donella had killed the mon, ‘twas no’ wise to have her standing there staring at his dead body.

“Aye, husband.What I would like is a small cup of whisky, and then a walk in the gardens.The scent of the herbs and flowers will calm me.”

Thinking it a strange request but wanting to get her as far away as he could, they left.

Since it was nearing the supper hour and no one except those in Dorathia’s cottage had kenned what had happened, the great room was filling up, becoming noisy, lively, and…normal.

After downing a cup of whisky, Callum took Donella’s hand and led her to the back of the keep.Almost as a liberation, the sun broke through the clouds as they stepped out of the keep and entered the garden.

They dinna speak for a while, just strolled and enjoyed the scent and sight of herbs and flowers.

They sat on a stone bench that separated the herb garden from the vegetable garden.“Do ye feel as though ye can speak now, sweetheart?”

Donella sighed deeply and stared at the beautiful gardens so well taken care of.“Aye.I am at ease now.”

Callum grinned.“I imagine the whisky had something to do with it.”He turned to her.“How the devil did ye learn what ye did back there that saved ye when three of the best warriors in the Highlands were stuck there unable to do a damned thing?”

She smiled and he kenned right then that what had happened to her would not cause her to retreat once again.“I’ve been practicing knife throwing with Angus, the stablemaster.It started as a way to make me feel more powerful, and in control of myself.While training me, he added in various moves I could do to protect myself, including how to escape a mon’s hold.”She shook her head.“Ne’er did I expect to have to use it so soon.”

Callum shook his head.“Ye are an amazing woman, wife.”He leaned over and kissed her thoroughly, with promises of more to come.