The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

30

Annis looked at the bed, having no desire to climb in it, even though she had not fully healed yet. She was wise enough to know it would take time. Three days was not enough to recover from her ordeal. More rest was needed. That, however, was not what kept her from avoiding her bed tonight.

It was the nightmares.

If they could be called nightmares, since she had them whether she slept day or night. It was the same one over and over again. The woman screaming and all the blood, but it never went beyond that.

Brogan’s arms slipped around her waist and eased her back against him. “It grows late, and you need to sleep. You have slept only a few hours here and there. You will not fully heal if you do not rest.”

Aches and pain continued to torment her, but those she could deal with, not so the nightmares.

“Her screams fill my head.” She turned around in her husband’s arm. “I do not know who this woman is or the little lass who cries. Who can this woman be? Why do I have these nightmares about them?”

Brogan wished he knew how to ease her burden, but he had no clue how to help her. He could only hold her and ease her out of the nightmares when they attacked her and that had been far too often.

“Talk to me of other things so my thoughts may settle elsewhere,” she said, resting her head on his naked chest.

“Once in bed,” he said and lifted her in his arms to place her gently on the bed and followed after her to pull two blankets over them.

Annis cuddled against him, her shift a barrier between them. She wished they could make love, but her body was not ready yet. They had discovered that yesterday when passion poked at them. Brogan stopped when she cried out in pain and had since been careful about touching her and he had wisely made her leave her shift on.

“When you fully heal, we will make love all night,” he had assured her, but she had cried anyway.

Brogan made sure to keep her close. She would fall asleep fast, still exhausted and healing from her ordeal. The nightmares would start a couple of hours after that and wake her throughout the night. He would soothe and comfort her through each one, and silently curse himself as he did, for this was all his fault. She suffered because of the curse, and it tore at his heart.

Her even breathing soon told him she was asleep, and it didn’t take long for him to join her.

The screams echoed through the woods and the little lass covered her ears.

“Be brave,” the man said and left her.

She watched through the bushes as the man went to the woman, stopping to look cautiously around before reaching her and lifting her in his arms. Her cries were muffled as he made his way back to the little lass.

Tears fell as she stared down at the woman the man laid on the ground and when he pulled back the cloak and raised her garment, the little lass screamed seeing the woman’s crushed leg.

Annis lunged up in bed, Brogan following her.

“Annis.”

She struggled to get out of bed.

Brogan stopped her. “What are you doing?”

“Please, I must,” she said anxiously.

He did not know her intentions but her anxious eyes had him saying, “Let me dress and get shoes on you and I will take you where you want to go.”

Brogan asked no questions. He dressed quickly and got shoes on his wife and wrapped her cloak around her, then opened the door and walked out into the night.

He was surprised to see Troy standing by the fire.

Annis went to him. “She left, didn’t she?”

“She had to. Time draws near. She must keep her promise to her sister,” Troy said.

“Why didn’t she tell me who she was? Why didn’t she help me? I would not see the MacWilliam lass harmed.”

Brogan shook his head. “Gunna was here?”

“She has been here for a while,” Annis said. “I know what the nightmare was trying to tell me. I do not know who the lass in my dream was, but the woman screaming was Gunna. All the blood I saw was from her mangled leg that left her with a limp.”

Brogan glared at Troy. “Luna is Gunna?”

“Aye, she is,” Troy confirmed.

“Why did Gunna come here?” Brogan asked.

“For help,” Troy said to Brogan’s and Annis’s surprise and continued to explain. “I returned with Gunna to check on the MacWilliam lass after a few months to make sure no one had discovered her identity. We discovered the couple she had given the child to had died and we could not find out where the MacWilliam lass had been taken. We could not stay in the area. It was too dangerous for Gunna and the bairn. We returned periodically to search, but with no luck. When word reached her that you searched for the lass, she needed to know what you had discovered.”

“I discovered nothing,” Annis said, annoyed.

Troy shook his head. “Not so. Meeting you gave her what she needed—how to keep the lass safe.”

“How does meeting me do that when I do not know where the lass is or even who she is?”

Troy went on to explain. “There was one thing that we found out about the MacWilliam lass when searching for her. You see, the bairn was not the only lass given to the childless couple, two other lassies were as well so no one would ever know which one was the MacWilliam lass. We discovered all three bairns remained together. The one lass stood out from the other two. Her hair was a mass of springy red curls that could never be tamed.”

Brogan’s eyes spread wide. “Are you saying that my wife is the MacWilliam lass?”

Annis shook her head. “That is utter nonsense. My hair is just like my mother’s hair.”

“That may be, but the woman was not your mother,” Troy said. “And whether you are the MacWilliam lass or not, I could not say, since I was not present when the three lassies were placed with the childless couple.”

The shocking news left his wife trembling and Brogan rushed his arm around her to hold her tight.

Troy continued. “Gunna explained that even though your father,”—he gave a nod to Brogan— “and Lord Lochlann concocted the tale about them killing the bairn, she feared they would secretly continue their search. It is why the other two lassies were placed with the bairn.”

“So, not only me or one of my sisters is the MacWilliam lass, but we also do not share the same bloodline,” Annis said, trying to comprehend the startling news. Her anger suddenly sparked. “It matters not to me what you say, Elysia and Bliss are my sisters.”

Troy nodded. “From speaking with you, Gunna realized you have a bond as strong as sisters, but she was not surprised since you three are cousins.”

“Cousins?” Annis shook her head, the news once again startling her. “That would mean that one of us is…” Annis kept shaking her head.

Brogan finished for his wife. “One of them is Gunna’s daughter?”

Troy nodded. “Aye, one is Gunna’s daughter. She feared her daughter would meet the same fate as Aila’s daughter since she helped her sister sneak the bairn away.”

“Who is the other lass’s mother?” Brogan asked.

“It must be Verbena,” Annis said turning her head to her husband. “Don’t you recall what your father said about her being Aila’s sister?”

“That’s right,” Brogan nodded, recalling.

“Before you ask,” Troy said, “I know nothing about Verbena. Gunna rarely mentions her.”

“Luna—Gunna—made mention of a sister she had lost, so I assume she had died.” Annis shook her head. “I need to talk with my sisters.”

“Gunna told me you would say that, but she advised against it at the moment,” Troy said and quickly raised his hand to ward off a protest from Annis. “Let me explain.” He continued when Annis nodded. “Everyone knows you search for the MacWilliam bairn, and rumors spread that you have spoken with the witch. Many will assume you found what you searched for and return with news to your sisters. That will put you in extreme danger, for there will be those who hunt you for that information alone and your life is already in danger from some insane people out to kill you.”

“They wish me dead so I do not produce an heir, but if the curse is broken, their cause ceases to exist,” Annis said. “Who then would hunt me?” Her eyes went wide. “Oh good Lord! The three of us are wed to the very men who want one of us dead.” She shook her head. “No one must know, not even my sisters. This must remain with us.” Tears filled her eyes. “How do I save any of us now when I cannot reveal what I know?”

“Find the lass and all will come to pass,” Brogan repeated what the witch had told his wife. “You found the lass for the person who was meant to find her—Gunna. Now all will come to pass.”

“He is right,” Troy said. “You did find the lass and Gunna herself told me that all has been set in motion for the curse to finally end and for everyone to be free.”

“Love is what breaks the curse.” Annis wiped at her tears. “Gunna said all has been set in motion. Perhaps Bliss is the MacWilliam lass and once Rannick falls in love with her, the curse will be no more. The right will have been made wrong, for the son of the man who betrayed his friend has fallen in love with the lass his father would have seen dead, and he now will protect her.”

“You cannot warn your friend,” Troy said with a glare at Brogan. “I see in your eyes you want to.”

“It might make a difference,” Brogan said, Troy right in what he thought. “If Rannick knew he had a chance to break the curse—”

“Nay,” Annis said anxiously. “It will not work that way. Rannick cannot know. Love must come freely. Besides, we do not know if Bliss is actually the MacWilliam bairn. All has been set in motion as Gunna said. We must not interfere with it. I know you feel as if you betray your friend, but I feel I do the same to my sisters.”

His wife was right. They both shared the burden. Brogan did, however, suggest, “We should speak to the witch. She may be able to tell us more.”

“Aye,” his wife eagerly agreed.

“The witch is gone,” Troy said.

“How would you know that?” Brogan asked.

“She goes to help Gunna.”

“And we are to take your word on this?” Brogan said, annoyed.

Troy shrugged. “Find out for yourself, but she can do no more here. She is needed elsewhere. Besides, have you heard any ravens squawk of late or wolves howl since you rescued your wife?”

“The witch must believe us safe if she leaves no ravens or wolves to protect us,” Annis said.

“Or she knows you are safe with your husband and me and my men here to protect you,” Troy suggested.

Brogan smiled and shook his head. “That is why you stay here… to protect us.”

“Gunna requested it and I saw no reason to deny her. Besides, my men and I are tired of the constant travel. It will be nice to settle for a while or maybe permanently.” Troy nodded at Brogan. “Since, as we discussed, you need a righthand man you can trust and rely on.”

Leave it to his wife to see good reason as to why the man should stay.

“Gunna will return here with Troy staying,” Annis said.

“You are sure?” Brogan asked.

“Gunna told me she was lucky to find a second love in her life though he was far different than her first. She loves Troy and will return for him, and he loves her and will wait for her as she keeps her promise to her sister and sees her niece finally safe and protected.”

“Your wife is a knowledgeable woman,” Troy said.

“Far more than me,” Brogan said with a laugh.

Troy grinned. “I will agree with that.”

Annis smiled, remnants of tears glistening on her cheeks. “You two will get along well.”

“It is agreed then,” Troy said. “I will remain here with you and wait, and what we discussed here tonight will remain among the three of us.”

“Aye,” Brogan said.

“Aye,” Annis agreed, “though word must be sent to my sisters that I continue the search so that nothing seems different.”

“I will see it done,” Brogan said.

“One of my men can take the message to Elysia,” Troy offered.

“And why would I send one of your men?” Brogan asked.

“Because Elysia received word that you and Annis were captured by mercenaries and at least a mercenary can assure her that no harm came to neither of you.”

“How do you know this?” Brogan asked and shook his head. “Never mind. At least I know you will be a good source of knowledge.”

“Truthful knowledge,” Troy confirmed.

A chilly wind sent the campfire flames dancing and Annis shivered.

“It grows late and cold. I will see you in the morning and give the message to your man to take to Lord Odran. One of my warriors will take the message to Lord Rannick,” Brogan said.

“As you say, my lord,” Troy said with a grin and a slight bob of his head.

Annis leaned heavily on her husband, exhaustion weighing her down, as they walked back to the cottage. “I believe you can trust Troy,” she said in a whisper.

“Time will tell, though I hold the same opinion,” Brogan said.

They settled back in bed, Annis pressed contentedly against her husband’s side and his arm holding her snug.

“Are you all right, wife?” Brogan asked.

She answered honestly. “I do not know. I am still too shocked from the news to comprehend it all. And it troubles me that I have no choice but to keep it from my sisters when they have a right to know.”

“Your silence protects them,” he reminded.

“For now, but you know that if at any time it proves differently, then I will go myself to tell them the truth.”

“I understand, for I feel the same about Odran and Rannick. I do not like keeping such important news from them, but I do see the wisdom of it at least for now,” he said, caressing her arm gently.

“My heart broke when my mum died. If it had not been for Bliss, I do not know what would have happened to Elysia and me. We are family. We are sisters no matter what I am told and we will always be sisters. As for the mum who gave me life, I do not know what to think. I do not know her, though I know one thing about whoever she may turn out to be. She sacrificed everything to keep me safe which means she loves me deeply.” She got teary-eyed again. “I wonder if she cries as easily as I do.”

“Perhaps your building skills come from your father,” Brogan suggested.

Tears began to fall. “An hour ago I knew who I was, now I no longer know who I am.”

Brogan lifted her chin for her to look at him. “I know who you are, wife. You are a kind and caring soul, wise beyond your years, a skilled builder, a loving sister, tolerant of a husband who thinks highly of himself, and who speaks her mind—even if it is foolish to do since your husband suffers for it, OW!” Brogan laughed and suffered the jab that he barely felt, happy to hear his wife laugh along with him.

“You are incorrigible, but I love you anyway,” Annis said.

Brogan kissed her lips lightly. “And I you, wife, now and always. “Know that whatever may come of all this, you remain my wife and we will have a good life together and have a gaggle of bairns. Hopefully many sons for I will need help in protecting the daughters who inherit your—OW!” He laughed at another painless jab. “You did not let me finish. Your beauty… I was going to say your beauty.”

“You lie to me, husband?” Annis said. “I see your nose twitch.”

Brogan laughed along with his wife. “I love you more every day, Annis.”

“I cherish your love and will need it, for a fear what the days, weeks, months ahead may bring.”

“We will end this, Annis,” Brogan said, hugging her close against him., “and our children will have a tale to tell of how love conquered evil.”

Highland Intrigue Trilogy concludes with

Highlander The Cursed Lord

Rannick & Bliss’s story