Page 70 of The Beast

“There isn’t anything nearby to tie to yer foot. I will take ye to the house, the ride will be painful.”

“Very well,” Ella said fortifying herself for the next movement. “Please help me to stand.”

“Put yer arms around my neck,” Evander instructed and lifted her up in his arms and although the pain was horrible, the feeling of being in his strong arms took a bit of her attention away from it.

Instead of mounting, he walked toward the keep with her in his arms.

Her ankle protested every movement until she could not help but begin to cry again. “It hurts,” she explained while doing her best to keep the tears at bay. “I am sorry to cry on yer tunic.”

The brown and hazel gaze met hers. “Cry all ye wish. It may help with the pain.”

“Truly?”

“I think so.”

When they got to the inner courtyard, Ella had stopped crying. The throbbing intensified with each step Evander took. She let out short pants to keep from screaming while considering that getting the foot cut off would be less painful.

“Goodness, what happened?” Her mother rushed over to them when they entered the house.

Lady Macdonald motioned to a table. “Put her on here.”

When lowered, her foot touched the tabletop and Ella let out a scream. To her further embarrassment, Evander hovered over her for a long moment, as if his gaze alone would remove the pain.

In a way, it did distract her. He was very attractive and perhaps she’d not noticed before the cleft in his chin.

“Oh!” she cried out when someone touched her foot. “What are ye doing? Leave it be.”

A man, who she assumed was the family healer, gave her an impatient look. His bushy brows furrowed in disapproval. “We must remove the shoe. It will hurt, but it cannot be helped.”

“Take my hand,” Darach said, replacing Evander at her side. “Squeeze it as hard as ye need to.”

Not only did she squeeze her brother’s hand with all her might, but others had to hold her down while the healer set her ankle and splinted it.

At one point the room swirled, and she prayed to pass out; unfortunately, Ella remained conscious the entire time.

Whatever was poured down her throat began to take effect and she welcomed the lack of feeling. The surroundings blurred as someone carried her to the bedchamber and placed her on the bed. Moments later, the wonderful elixir lulled her to sleep.

“Are ye in pain?” Beatrice sat in a chair next to the bed, her pretty face drawn with worry. “Mother said it was a horrible break.”

Ella shook her head. “I cannot believe what happened. My foot slipped between two rocks and down I went.”

Beatrice cringed. “It sounds horrible.”

When she moved her leg, the foot hurt, but not enough to warrant more tonic.

“I can call for the healer,” Beatrice must have noticed her grimace.

“It does not hurt overmuch,” Ella said and studied her friend. “How are ye?”

After releasing a sigh, Beatrice managed a smile. “Better with every day that passes. I still cannot bring myself to forgive Duncan, but I do understand why he left.”

Ella huffed. “It is unforgivable to slight yer family in that manner. Darach continues to apologize to yer father for it daily.”

“He shouldn’t have to.” Beatrice turned to the window and then back to Ella’s bandaged foot. “Now we will not be able to go for walks together.”

The weather was becoming colder, the bitter wind would soon make it hard to spend more than a few minutes outdoors. Ella didn’t mention it to Beatrice, instead she shrugged. “We can spend time journaling. I do need to practice my letters so that I can write as neatly as ye.”

“I will show ye,” Beatrice replied brightening. “Our mothers are making one last trip to the village. I will ask that they purchase two journals and new quills for us.”