Page 46 of Luthias

He uttered a surprised laugh. “How reckon you thus?”

“Despite your very bad behavior, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.” Emery pulled down the leg of his trews and stood. “You should go and rest. Also, if you’re going to fake an injury and blame a rotten tree, use a piece of wood to scrape yourself instead of a knife.”

Callen gave her the oddest look. “You ken what I did?”

“It’s not magic. I know the difference between an accidental gash and a deliberate knife wound. Also, your trews would be torn, not cut like that.” She went to finish unloading the cart, and when she carried the last of the supplies into the headman’s cottage she glanced through the window at the woodcutter. Although he’d been stupid enough to hurt himself to get out of work in order to do whatever mischief he was up to, she felt sorry for him.

You’ve already got enough on your plate with the laird and your mission. Don’t add Callen to the mix.

Emery gathered the empty food sacks the headman had left, but when she walked back out to say goodbye to the woodcutter, he was gone.

Luthias returned from talking to the herdsmen to find Darach and his men finishing the work of filling in the holes in the old Pritani burial mound. He dismounted and walked around the ancient grave to count the places where holes in the mound had been recently dug.

“We’ve sent for a druid to perform the burial rites again,” the chieftain told him as he handed off his shovel, and walked a short distance away with Luthias. “He used a cart this time, and from what’s left, ’twould seem he took all the long bones and skulls. If the demented bastart should do such, he’ll no’ stop here. We’ll want guards at the village and kirk graveyards.”

Luthias nodded, and then noticed Ameron and Kyal among those repairing the damage to the mound. “Why didnae you leave Emery’s guards back at the keepe?”

“I summoned all the men for the search, my lord.” Darach’s expression turned bleak. “Ah, fack me. I didnae think to put a guard on her before I left the stronghold.” He glanced back in that direction. “She wouldnae wander off on her own.”

An image of Emery washing blood from her hands flashed through Luthias’s mind.

“Finish here, and ask the druid when the work ’tis done to come see me at the castle.” Luthias sprinted back to his horse.

As he rode back to the stronghold the thought of Emery crossing paths with the intruder hammered inside Luthias’s head. Once he returned to the keepe, he would lock her up in her chamber––or better, his. He had to make her understand how dangerous it was for her to go anywhere by herself. She could stay safely indoors until the time came for her to save the clan.

What if the sain brought her back to die for the MacRoss?

Halfway through the woods Luthias saw a small figure tugging along an empty cart, and reined in his sweaty mount. When he saw it was Emery by herself a dark fury filled him. Slowing the horse to a trot he caught up with her.

“Fair morning, my lord.” She let go of the cart handle and walked up to stroke the stallion’s nose. “You should water this big guy. He looks hot and tired.”

Luthias’s temper boiled over as he dismounted, grabbed her and held her tightly.

“What do you out here alone?” He checked her hands. “Dinnae you ken how dangerous ’tis for you to go traipsing about the woods now? Anyone might take you and we’d never ken. You’d be at their mercy.”

“Looks like I’m at your mercy right now.” Emery winced. “You’re hurting me.”

He snatched his hands away from her, walked a short distance away, and came back. “I forbid you leave the keepe alone, ever again. Do you understand me?” When she nodded he marched her over to the horse and put her in the saddle.

“What about the cart?” Emery asked as he swung up behind her.

“Fack the cart.” He folded an arm around her, and touched his heels to the stallion’s sides.

As the horse trotted toward the stables Luthias held himself stiffly at first, not wanting to enjoy having her pressed up against him, or breathe in the sweet scent of her. He’d let his heart rule his head, but no longer. He’d put an end to this nonsense, and see to it that Emery Parker never stepped foot anywhere inside or outside the castle alone. She was too important to allow anyone or anything to harm her.

The stable master came out to take the stallion, and once he dismounted Luthias scooped Emery out of the saddle to put her on her feet. That was when he saw the blood on her leine.

“You’re injured?” Without waiting for an answer he lifted her into his arms and ran through the gates.

“My lord. My lord. Luthias.” When he stopped and looked down at her Emery plucked at the front of her leine. “It’s not my blood. I’m not injured. I bandaged someone who was hurt, that’s all. Put me down. I can walk.”

Cursing himself and her, he carried her into the great hall, up the stairs and down the passage to his bed chamber, kicking the door shut behind him. Only when he put her on his bed could he breathe easily.

“You’re a healer now?” he demanded as he glared down at her. “Who bled on you? Why didnae you come back to the keepe for help? Think you naught shall happen if you smile at a man? What if that mad fack found you? You saw the gibbeting cage, and you ken how ’tis used. You cannae swim. Shall I someday find your bones cobbled together in a dark place, then?”

Instead of fear something strangely like worry flickered over her features.

“I just helped one of the woodcutters. He’s a nice guy, and nothing happened.” She climbed off the bed and put one of her little hands on his arm. “Calm down. I’m fine.”