Blood leaked through the cloth wrapped around Gordon’s wrist and she tore a strip from her shift and bound another layer of cotton around it. Good. The flow eased with the added pressure and no longer stained the cloth. She lifted Gordon’s closed eyelids, the whites of his eyes showing and a massive bruise blooming on his forehead. “He is out to it, well and truly.”
“Let’s dress. We need to return, immediately.” He aided her to her feet and gripped her shoulders. “Gordon’s presence here causes an issue, but no’ an irreversible one. We’ll return to the keep and once we have, you tend his wounds while I ride for Ardan. ’Twill be the quickest way to see my conversation with Duncan done. Is Coll still on his mission, as he was during my imprisonment?”
“Aye, he still scours the length and breadth of MacKenzie land in his call-to-arms. He wishes for men to join him, who will remain both loyal to him and hold sympathy for your clan.”
“Sympathy for my Matheson kin?”
“Aye, and please dinnae ask me anymore about that.” She wrung the water from her shift, flapped out her gown and pulled it over her head. Layers of midnight-blue velvet shimmered down to her ankles and she laced the front stays, belted her girdle at her waist and stuffed her feet into her slippers.
Ronan dressed beside her, belted his kilt, stripped his wet tunic off and donned a dry one from his bag before strapping his weapons on. He grasped Gordon, hefted the man up and over his shoulder then eyed the trail ahead. “Lead the way, my bride-to-be.”
Oh, what a dream that would be. She held his words close to her heart as she stuffed her belongings in her bag, snatched up Ronan’s satchel then dashed along the forest trail toward Carron. The wind rose as she made the quick trek back and once she broke free of the woods, the formidable stone walls of the keep rose high ahead. She hurried toward the postern gate where armed guards patrolled the battlements above.
“Kyla!” Hamish, Duncan’s closest confidant, a man who knew the truth about her and her brothers’ fae blood, lifted a hand. “Is that Coll with you?”
“Nay, ’tis Rand MacKenzie.” Over her shoulder, she whispered to Ronan, “Hamish is Muirin’s brother and one of the full-blooded fae. He also holds ‘the sight’ and receives visions when harm is about befall us. He’s been instrumental in ensuring all has gone well of late, his knowledge immense, the same as Muirin’s is. We should tell him the truth, allow him to aid you in your plight. He would never harm a Matheson.”
“No’ yet. I wish to see for myself that I can trust him. I willnae risk losing you a second time because I didnae take all care.” He waved out. “I’m told your name is Hamish. I stumbled upon the lady and this warrior in the forest. Unfortunately, he’s injured himself and needs tending. I ask to be granted access to Carron’s keep.”
“Wait right there.” Hamish disappeared from the battlements and tramped down the stairwell, appeared below and shoved the postern gate open. He cast his gaze over Gordon’s slumped form. “How did all this happen?”
“Allow me to explain.” She snuck in front of Ronan since he’d moved to place himself between her and Hamish. “Gordon, ah, tripped and fell, hit his head on a rock, and…” How did she explain his wrist wound? “Stabbed himself when he did, accidentally, of course.”
“I’ve never known the man to be so clumsy.” Hamish shook his head. “All these injuries came at his own hand?”
“Aye, Gordon had a wee bit too much to drink last eve.” She motioned to Ronan. “I’ve met Rand afore, during a clan gathering. He’s an honorable warrior, heard of Coll’s call-to-arms and traveled here to offer his sword arm. I’ve informed him that Duncan is at Ardan House and he would need to visit him there if he wished to speak to him afore joining our cause.”
“I didnae ‘see’ Rand’s coming arrival.”
“That would be because he means us no harm. Surely you wouldnae have ‘seen’ something unless he did, correct?” She held her breath, prayed fervently her word would stand.
“Aye, you’re correct.” Hamish cocked a brow at Ronan. “Where exactly do you hail from, Rand?”
“A village to the south of Kintail, and all is as the lady has explained. I’ve come to offer my sword arm, would like to speak to Duncan first to ensure his approval if I might?” He slipped in front of her again. Aye, definitely stubborn times two.
“Might we go inside?” She ducked around Ronan once more then with her back to him, stamped on top of his booted feet to keep him in place, all while smiling cheerily at Hamish. Let her chosen one try to whip in front of her now. Goodness. The males in the mated bond were notoriously overprotective, and her mate appeared no different even though she stood within a stone’s throw of a garrison of warriors who’d protect her with their very lives. He was one man against so many until he’d spoken to Duncan and fixed everything she’d set moving on the wrong path. Drat it all. If only he’d arrived yesterday. Her betrothal would be one less thing he’d have to fix.