“She wakes,” Addie said.
“That is good,” Zia said with a smile, and they both turned to her.
Carissa felt the pain radiate from her jaw up along her cheek. And then there was the dull throb in the back of her head. Her hand pained her as well. She fought her way out of the dark, though as she did, the pain worsened, and she wondered if she should remain where she was. But something warned her against it, and so she fought.
“Carissa,” the soft voice said. “Open your eyes. You’re all right.”
The soft voice kept urging her, and while she wanted to oblige, the pain held her back until…
“Damn it, Carissa, open your eyes!”
“Shouting at her isn’t going to help,” the soft voice said.
“I agree,” Carissa said, her eyes fluttering open only to squeeze shut when the light hit them.
“Open your eyes,” the strong voice demanded.
She was so annoyed with the command that she intended to open her eyes and tell him exactly what he could do with his order, but she slipped back into the peaceful darkness.
After a bit more of a struggle, she got them open and her mouth followed, ready to attack him with her sharp tongue when she saw that it was Ronan and she saw that the creases of worry around his eyes and mouth had deepened, and her heart melted.
“Ronan,” she whispered softly, and reached out to him.
He took her hand and held it firm in his. “You should have never left me.”
“My brother is right,” Cavan said, coming up behind Ronan. “You gave your word to my brother and had an obligation to return home with him.”
Carissa bristled at Cavan’s scolding tone and struggled to sit up, though pain shot through her head and cheek, and she winced at the sharp ache.
Ronan tried to stop her, but she would have none of it. She grabbed hold of his arm and hoisted herself up, though he helped once he saw that she wouldn’t be dissuaded.
“I had an obligation to my friend,” she snapped.
“I would have taken care of it,” Cavan said.
“Since I couldn’t be sure of that, I couldn’t take the chance.” Carissa held on to Ronan as she struggled to stand.
“We can discuss this later,” Ronan said, slipping his arm around her waist and practically lifting her off the ground to rest against him.
She allowed him to support her weight, not feeling strong enough to stand on her own just yet. But lacking strength or not, she would not cower to his brother.
“It makes no difference to me if your brother wishes to speak now,” she said. “I expected no less of him.”
“And I expect no less of you…a barbarian,” Cavan spat. “The only reason I give you any quarter is because you may carry my brother’s child.”
Carissa was stunned silent. While she should have considered the possibility, she hadn’t. Too much had happened too fast for her to have given it a thought. Not that she would mind having Ronan’s child, truly she would love to. But if it was the only reason Cavan would not see her punished, or that Ronan had come to her rescue, then her fate rested on whether or not she was with child.
She had waited long enough. She intended to wait no more.
“I will face my fate with you whether with child or not,” she said.
“It is not your choice,” Cavan said, and looked to Zia standing beside Artair. “Is she fit to travel?”
Carissa pushed away from Ronan though she wavered before finding solid footing and brushed away Ronan’s helping hand. “It is me you ask, not her.”
Cavan glared at her. “If Zia tells me you need to rest, you will rest.”
Carissa laughed. “You may command the Sinclares, but you don’t command me.” She stepped forward, and shouted. “Dykar!”
He maneuvered his way through the Sinclares to stand before her.
“Ready the men to leave,” she ordered.
“My warriors can easily stop your small troop,” Cavan said.
She laughed again. “Do you think me a fool to come here with only a few men?” She looked to Dykar again. “Call the men out.”
Dykar let loose with a mighty roar, and before they knew it, they were surrounded with a fighting force that surpassed Cavan’s warriors.
Ronan stepped forward. “This has gone far enough.” He looked to Cavan. “I told Carissa you are a fair laird, and she agreed to return with me to face whatever fate you decreed.”
“And then she took her leave without a word to you,” Cavan said.
“That is for her and me to settle,” Ronan said with a hint of a challenge.
Artair stepped between his brothers. “This matter should wait to be settled when we get home.” Artair leaned over to whisper to Cavan. “And remember what you promised your wife.”