Under the Highlander's Spell(63)
“What did you mean?” Lachlan asked with a smirk.
“Shall we kill him now?” Artair offered.
“You can both try,” Lachlan laughed.
“This is my fault,” Zia said. “Please don’t fight on my account.”
“Dear, this has nothing to do with you,” Addie said, patting her arm. “They’re men; they can’t help it.”
“That’s right,” the three brothers declared simultaneously.
The women burst out laughing.
Artair loved family, and he loved that Zia now shared it with him and that they would seed the family and watch it grow. Of course, he had to get her to marry him first, but he didn’t think that would be a problem, not after last night. In a way, they had actually committed to each other by making love. The only thing left was to exchange vows.
Zia yawned, and Artair slipped his arm around her. She instinctively rested her head on his shoulder, reminding him that she needed sleep. He intended to see that she got it.
Cavan helped his cause. “You need to rest, Zia.”
“She’s going to bed right now,” Artair said.
Just as Artair stood, one of Cavan’s warriors burst into the hall.
“The village Hosack is under attack from marauders,” the man announced.
The men immediately got to their feet, and Artair looked to his mother. “Please see that she rests.”
“I’ll look after her,” Addie promised.
Artair leaned over and captured Zia’s mouth with a kiss. “Promise me you’ll sleep. There may be wounded who will need your help.”
Her eyes popped wide. “I’m going with you.”
He held her down firmly, his hand to her shoulder. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
“What of the wounded villagers? Who will heal them?” she demanded.
“She has a point,” Lachlan said.
“No one asked you,” Artair said, annoyed with his brother for taking Zia’s side.
“There’s no time to argue,” Cavan said with the distinct voice of a leader. “The wounded will be brought here if necessary.”
Artair almost breathed a sigh of relief, though never got the chance. Zia broke loose of his grip and stood.
“And your wounded warriors?” she asked sharply, and then didn’t let Cavan answer. “My presence could mean life or death for them.”
Artair knew that settled it, for his brother would do whatever benefited his men.
“Get your things,” Cavan ordered, “but remember, you are to obey my every order—my order, no other.”
Artair knew that was meant for him, and he knew what Cavan intended to say next.
“Don’t even think of designating me to remain behind. My wife goes, I go,” Artair said firmly. “It’s Lachlan’s turn to stay and protect this time.”
To his relief, Lachlan agreed. “Artair’s right. I’ll stay.”
Addie stood. “We’ll prepare to feed and help the wounded.”
Honora kissed her husband. “I will help Addie, and don’t try to tell me not to. And make certain you come back to me, husband.”
Cavan hugged her. “Always, wife.”
Artair envied them, Honora remaining at the keep safe while Zia would be amidst the mayhem and danger of battle.
When all the warriors were mounted and ready to leave, Cavan rode up to Artair. “Do you have anything to say to me?”
“My wife gets hurt and I’ll kick your ass.”
Cavan smiled. “Keep that angry thought in mind while in battle.”
Zia didn’t think or feel. She was too busy to do either. Cavan had designated a safe spot for her to remain until the battle was over, but the screams and cries of agony made that impossible. She knew if she could get to the injured sooner rather than later, they would have a chance of surviving.
Artair had given her only one warning.
“Do as you’re told.”
She wanted to obey both men, but she was a healer before anything and had to follow her own instincts. It was what kept people alive. So she found a secluded area closer to the battle and fashioned a spot to care for the injured that she might manage to get there.
Her first rescue was a mother and daughter. The young woman was stumbling, the child held tight in her arms, trying to get away from the carnage. Blood dripped down her face, her eyes rounded in fright, and she couldn’t gain solid footing. Zia couldn’t see if the child was hurt, but she didn’t waste time. She looked around, feeling safely for the dirk she had tucked into her boot in case she needed to defend herself, and rushed out to hurry the woman into the surrounding woods and to safety.
It took only a few minutes to ascertain that the woman had suffered a minor abrasion and was more stunned from her ordeal than anything else. Her child, thankfully, was fine, and when she finished ministering to both of them, she left them safely tucked behind a boulder and went in search of others who were injured.