Page 66 of The Ruthless Laird's Virgin
She leaned into the affection with all her might, savoring the warmth of his skin on hers. “I daenae want ye to go,” she found herself whispering the words without even thinking.
Why was she feeling as if her entire world was about to end? She had not even processed what had happened between them, and already she felt as if she could not leave his side.
What does this mean?
She whispered in the back of her mind for the hundredth time. Everything seemed so unclear and up in the air. Did she love him? Was that why the dull ache in her chest refused to subside?
“Have to, lass, but I will find ye later, I promise.” His voice was soft and low, lower than she had ever heard it before.
Does he truly care for me?
The question rang true and clear as she looked into his eyes, and in that moment, she knew, she cared for him far more than she had wanted to admit, even to herself. If anything were to happen to Callum, life as she knew it would end, and a far lonelier existence would be her fate.
She was about to open her mouth again and protest when a scream from within the castle rang out through the air.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
They are inside the castle walls.
Eleanor’s pulse raced as her breath caught in her throat. She quickly took a deep breath and searched Callum’s face. “Ye cannae leave me here now; whoever is comin’ has someone inside these walls.”
Nodding, Callum reached for her hand as he went for his sword, placing it back in the sheath with expert precision. “Ye will have to follow close behind me, try and stay out of harm’s way, I cannae defend the castle and protect ye at the same time.” His voice was calm and even, with the military precision of someone who had fought many battles.
“I will make sure that I am nae in the way,” she promised as he opened her chamber doors.
The hall outside was quiet, almost too quiet, as the sound of fighting raged on in the distance. She could have sworn she heard her own heart beating as she waited for Callum to move.
“We have to find who screamed before we go outside,” Callum instructed, squeezing her hand as he began to pull her in the direction of the great hall, which stood in the middle of the castle. If they were to start anywhere, it would be there.
The silence rang in their ears before they began to push forward, their steps filling the air with loud thuds.
Who could have screamed?
Eleanor hurried to keep up, panting for breath as she ran just behind. The strength of his hand gave her hope, hope that everything would work out. The thought, however, was short-lived as the smell of blood permeated the air. Her heart almost stopped beating when she realized that the scream may have come from whoever was bleeding.
They had not even made it halfway down the hall when the sickening, sweet smell with a tang of iron made them stop in their tracks.
Someone has been hurt.
She breathed heavily, dreading what they would find when they moved again, rounded the corner. “Nay!” Eleanor screamed, her breath stuttering in her chest when she caught sight of Marion atthe foot of the stairs. She lifted her hands to cover her mouth and almost burst into tears.
The maid was lying still, almost too still to pass for someone alive. The pool of blood around her seemed far too large for someone of her size and stature. It was difficult to see exactly where the blood was coming from when it had already soaked into the length of her dress. Her face was pale, almost grey, in the dim light of the castle.
How long had they been speaking while she lay bleeding on the floor? A wave of guilt washed over Eleanor as she bent down to check for a pulse. There had to be something that she could do to save her friend.
Yanking her to her feet, Callum spoke in a brisk voice. “We have to keep movin’.” Callum pulled her along, almost making her trip as she looked back at her friend.
“But Callum, we have to help her! She could still be alive!” Eleanor began to cry as she fought against the strength of his grip, trying to tug her wrist free.
Stopping in his tracks, Callum turned around and spoke in a harsh whisper. “Where do ye think I am goin’? There is only one person who can help Marion now. We must send for Fiona at once. She kens how to get into the castle. There isnae time to waste.” He turned away from her again and began to pull her in the direction of the eastern towers.
He cares for his people.
Eleanor felt numb, unable to process what she had seen. Callum cared just as much for the maid as she did, and although she wanted to turn back, she saw the sense in sending for Fiona before anyone else. There was nothing that any of them could do for Marion, not with a wound like that. And had the healer not saved Callum when all had seemed lost in the past?
Her better judgment told her to keep pressing forward and trust that Callum knew best. Had he not saved her on more than one occasion? First, from whoever would have likely killed her on the road, and then from the assassin.
She hurried along behind him, moving through the halls without so much as a soul in sight.
