Ilisa couldn’t tell whether he was pleased with what he saw. Braden looked too pale to her, causing worry to settle in the pit of her stomach.
Alec stirred at last, and she watched him closely as he moved his injured arm. To her relief, he gave no indication of pain. She had Braden to thank for that miracle.
Her brother opened his eyes, and she ran her hand along his forehead, filled with gratitude at his recovery. He turned to look at her, his smile telling her everything she needed to know. Still, she had to ask, keeping her voice a whisper. “How do you fare?”
“Much better.” He glanced at Braden then slowly sat up, careful not to wake him. Then he straightened his arm, turning it back and forth. “I can’t believe it.”
Ilisa couldn’t resist touching his arm as well, pleased to find it perfectly normal. “Amazing.”
“A miracle,” Alec corrected her, and she nodded in agreement, her heart squeezing at her brother’s improvement. He removed the blanket and rose, as though anxious to test how he felt.
“Don’t move too quickly,” she warned him as she stood too. Though she knew how much better he must feel, from what she’d experienced, his body would still be trying to recover.
He rotated his arm, his shoulder, his wrist, all while shaking his head. “’Tis still sore in places. But nothing compared to earlier. Braden is...” He left the sentence unfinished as his gaze sought the knight, as though unable to find the proper words to describe him.
“I know.” She nodded, realizing she felt the same way. Wonderful. Unbelievable. Strong. Miraculous. Handsome. And her husband. But she didn’t speak any of them. Not until she could talk with him first. Unable to resist, she knelt beside him to smooth the hair from his forehead, anxious for him to wake but aware he needed to rest.
With a sigh, Ilisa straightened and gestured for Alec to follow her farther away from Braden so as not to disturb him. She could see her brother had something to say. She waited patiently until he pulled together his thoughts, watching Chanse as he gathered wood a short distance away.
“Monroe overheard one of the other squires talking about how Braden’s horse was lame one moment and then completely better after Braden had seen to him. I think that, combined with the knowledge that he knew how badly you were hurt yet you made such a quick recovery, convinced him of Braden’s gift.”
“If he hadn’t been the one to push me from the stairs, he never would’ve known. But since he knew how far I’d fallen...” She closed her eyes briefly as the image of the stone floor coming ever closer filled her.
“He tried to force me to admit to it, but I refused.” Alec scowled at the memory. “Then he threatened to break my arm if I didn’t confess the truth.” He blinked quickly to chase away the tears. “He struck it first. When that didn’t work, he twisted it until the bone snapped.”
“Alec,” Ilisa said as she reached for him, horrified at what he’d gone through.
“The pain nearly took me to my knees. Monroe’s eyes were wild. ’Twas as if he realized he could force Braden to reveal his ability by hurting me. He muttered to himself about how delighted Lord Graham would be if he handed him the healing knight.”
Ilisa shook her head, wishing she could remove those thoughts from her brother’s memory, but wishing even more that Monroe hadn’t realized the truth.
“After we left you and Braden at the tent, he went on about how all of Scotland would come to see the healer and how powerful it would make Lord Graham and him. I knew then that I had to do anything I could to get away so Braden wouldn’t be forced to help me and reveal himself.”
“Oh, Alec.”
Alec took her hand in his. “Ilisa, they never would’ve let him go. All I could think of was the time the caged bear was displayed in Berwick’s market square when I was little. How terrible it was to watch when they tried to make it perform tricks. How the boys would poke it with sticks until it roared. Remember?”
Ilisa swallowed hard as she realized her brother understood far more about how people would react to Braden’s gift than she had. “I remember. We wanted to set it free.”
“But William wouldn’t allow us to.”
“He said the choice wasn’t ours.” She hadn’t been pleased with her older brother that day.
“But this choice was mine. I knew if I could somehow escape, Braden wouldn’t be placed on display like that bear.”
“Alec.” Tears clogged her throat, and she hugged him tight. “You were so brave. You were hurt and scared and still acted with courage.”
“She’s right, Alec,” Chanse added, startling Ilisa.
She hadn’t realized he’d been listening. She released her brother to look at Chanse.
“You dared to act when few would’ve.” Chanse clasped Alec’s shoulder. “I’m grateful you risked so much to protect my brother. I hope someday I can repay you.”
“Nay. He’s already done many things for us. You both have.”
As Ilisa only half-listened to them, she realized she owed Braden an apology. He’d been right to refuse to heal Alec in front of anyone, and she should’ve trusted him in full rather than allowing her fear to shade her instincts. Who knew what terrible acts Braden would’ve had to endure if Graham and Monroe had gotten their way. Her gaze shifted to the still empty road, praying it remained so.
Then she turned to watch Braden as he continued to sleep. She owed so much to him—especially her trust. Never would she doubt him again. Most of all, she wanted to tell him that she loved him. She only hoped he’d wake soon so she could tell him what was in her heart.
~*~
The sound of thunder rumbled deep inside Braden, waking him from the depths of sleep. The way the noise reverberated from the ground puzzled him. He opened his eyes, the gray sky overhead far from clear but neither did it carry the threatening clouds that spoke of rain and thunder.
Horses.
He sat up quickly, his head spinning at the movement. How long had he slept? His gaze sought Ilisa to find her staring at whoever approached on the road, her eyes wide with fear. “Chanse?”
His brother stood near their horses, his expression grim. “We didn’t see them soon enough. ’Tis too late to outrun them.”
Braden tossed aside the blanket and stood to look for himself, his heart heavy with the knowledge of who was coming. More than a dozen men rode toward them, the colors they wore matching the ones displayed at Graham’s holding.
Apparently, the lord had changed his mind.
“Chanse, take Ilisa and Alec and go,” he ordered his brother.
Chanse hesitated, obviously torn as to what to do.
“Nay,” Ilisa said. “We’re not leaving you.”
“’Tis me he wants,” Braden said. “If the three of you leave now, they will not follow.” Despite the urgency filling him, weariness clung to him, making his movements sluggish, his thoughts cloudy.
“Ilisa,” Chanse began.
“Nay. You and Alec go,” she ordered. “I’m not leaving Braden.”
Braden searched the area, but the landscape offered no place to hide. Desperate, he strode to Ilisa. “You must leave. Get help.”
“From who?” she asked, blinking back tears. “Who is near enough and has enough men to come to our aid?”
“Sir Niall. Mayhap he—”
“His holding is on the opposite side of Graham’s.”
“Sir Gilbert then. Ride to Berwick and explain.” There was no way in hell Sir Gilbert would come to their aid. Not after all that had occurred at his holding. But Braden wanted to give Ilisa and Chanse a purpose—a reason to leave him and flee. “Quickly. You must go anon.”
Ilisa shook her head, her expression fierce. “You wouldn’t leave me. I’m not leaving you.”
His heart stumbled as he stared at her. Did she truly realize what lengths he would go to in order to save her? Had she at last given him her trust? Mayhap even her love? He wasn’t about to have either only to lose them. Lose her.
Despera
te—with fear for Ilisa nearly choking him, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her toward the horses. “Alec, come. You must go now.”
“I’m not going if Ilisa’s not,” Alec said.
“Please,” Braden pleaded as his gaze held Ilisa’s. “I don’t want you hurt again. You know what they’re capable of.”
“I won’t leave you.” She turned his hand to hold it with both of hers, the emotions running through him making him frantic to save her even as the pounding of the horse’s hooves grew louder.
But how?
“Hold,” a voice called from the approaching riders.
“Sir Hugh,” Lord Graham’s voice carried through the air. From his tone alone, Braden knew the lord had changed his mind. A sinking sensation filled him at the realization.
Braden braced himself as he turned to face Graham, releasing Ilisa’s hand to step in front of her. He shoved away his fear of what the lord wanted, of the idea of him harming any of those for whom he cared. Now was not the time for fear. “Lord Graham. Did we forget something?”
Chanse moved to stand beside him, putting Alec and Ilisa behind them. The odds might not be in their favor, but Graham would not find this an easy battle. Mayhap the lord would be the first casualty. That would be the best way to end this fight before it even began.
Graham’s smile was far from pleasant as he glanced to his left. Braden noted the Earl of Rothton rode at his side. Was he the reason for Graham’s change of heart?
Unfortunately, Monroe rode on his other side. The triumphant glee in the steward’s eyes told Braden everything he needed to know.
“I wanted a chance to finish our conversation,” Graham said.
Braden searched the faces of the other riders. Matthew was among them, his expression grim. That was less than reassuring. He recognized a few of the other men as competitors but didn’t think he could count on them. “I thought we had,” Braden responded at last.
“Upon further consideration, I’ve decided that a demonstration is in order after all.”
“Demonstration of what?” Braden’s stomach lurched though he tried his best to act calm.
“Your healing skills. Rothton and I have discussed it and have a proposition for you.”
“Oh?” Why didn’t that make him feel any better?
“We will allow your wife and the others to remain unharmed if you show us how your...gift works.”
“You’ve been misinformed,” Chanse called out before Braden could respond. “Sir Hugh is no different than you or me.” Chanse lowered his voice to a whisper. “You will do no such thing no matter what they threaten or what they do.”
Braden promised nothing. While he never revealed his ability unless necessary, he hadn’t been in a situation such as this.
Rothton cleared his throat. “No doubt Sir Hugh is reluctant to share such a talent with those he cannot trust. But we are here to show him he can trust us.”
“I’m sorry you traveled all this way for nothing,” Braden said, lifting his hands, palms up.
Graham scowled. “Matthew, bring the lady forward.”
Matthew kept his seat, his gaze on Braden. “This is a poor idea, my lord.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion. I gave you an order.”
“I cannot follow that one.”
Graham leaned forward in his saddle to glare at his knight. “You cannot pick and choose which orders to follow.”
Matthew shook his head. “I cannot follow any that dishonor my vows as a knight.”
Graham practically growled with anger.
“I’ll see to it, my lord,” Monroe said and dismounted.
“I don’t understand what you’re seeking, but we must be on our way,” Braden said, reaching back to take Ilisa’s trembling hand, his heart heavy. If only she’d left when he’d asked her to.
“This won’t take long,” Graham said, gesturing for Monroe to proceed. “Unless you refuse to cooperate.”
“Cooperate with what? I have nothing to demonstrate.” He squeezed Ilisa’s hand tighter then released it to draw his sword.
Chanse did the same.
Four other men dismounted, following Monroe to where Braden and the others stood.
“Look at the squire,” Monroe demanded, a note of wonder in his voice as he peered behind Braden and Chanse. “His arm is fine. Sir Hugh healed him!”
“’Twas never broken,” Alec replied. “I only pretended to be hurt.”
“He lies,” Monroe insisted, his voice cracking as though he feared Alec was right. Or that Graham would believe him.
“Everyone calm yourselves,” Rothton ordered with a glare at Monroe. He turned to Braden. “Sir Hugh, let us discuss the situation honestly. We’ll share our needs and compare those to your talent and see if we can strike a bargain. For the benefit of Scotland.”
Braden didn’t believe him for a moment. The earl had added the comment about Scotland as an afterthought, not as his main concern. “I cannot aid you.”
“Then you leave us no choice.” Graham tipped his head to Monroe, who once again started forward.
The steward reached for Ilisa, but Braden blocked him, pointing his sword at him. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Monroe’s smile chilled Braden to the bone. Several of the soldiers moved toward them, swords drawn as well. More dismounted until they were surrounded.
Certain Chanse would follow his lead, Braden drove forward, slicing and thrusting, spinning and blocking.
But they were greatly outnumbered.
“Do not injure him,” Graham called out.
Within a few moments, he and Chanse had been disarmed and were held in the soldiers’ grasp.
Monroe stepped close to Braden, a smirk on his face.
Braden wrenched free and drove his fist into the steward’s face. The blow landed with a satisfying thud, but two of the soldiers grabbed Braden’s arms again, holding tight.
Braden struggled, breaking free again to land what blows he could before being restrained once more. Several additional men dismounted to join the battle.
Chanse shouted a warning then struck a man and disabled two more. Even Alec kicked and punched to protect his sister. Ilisa fought as well, wrenching her arms free from her captor while Monroe stepped back, wiping the blood from his face.
“Hold!” Graham demanded, but his command did nothing to halt the chaos.
Braden continued to fight, desperate to do all he could to protect Ilisa. He moved until he couldn’t anymore, several soldiers holding him firmly. A glance to his right showed Chanse in the same position. Alec as well. Worst of all was the sight of Ilisa in Monroe’s grasp, another man helping to restrain her.
“Release her,” Braden demanded.
Monroe sneered as he backed away, pulling her with him. “This is your last opportunity. Speak the truth about your ability to heal.”
“You are mad,” Ilisa yelled as she tried again to break free. “He has no such ability.”
“Enough.” Lord Graham eased his horse forward. Did he think himself safe now that Braden and Chanse had been restrained? “Let us see him heal.”
Monroe pulled his knife from his belt, the now familiar glittering look in his eyes telling of his excitement.
Braden cursed as Monroe lifted the knife, drawing ever closer to Ilisa’s face as he moved behind her.
Good Christ. Where did the man intend to cut her? With panic choking him, Braden struggled all the harder to no avail.
Monroe gripped Ilisa by the chin, lifting it to leave her neck exposed. She writhed in his grasp, the other soldier working to help hold her still.
“Halt!” Braden demanded. Time slowed as he watched in horror as Monroe ran the blade across her neck.
Ilisa screamed, her eyes wide with fear then dark with pain. The two men released her. Clutching her neck with both hands, she slid to the ground at Monroe’s feet. Her eyes were wide with fear and locked on Braden’s.
“Monroe! What in hell’s teet
h have you done?” Graham yelled, the shock in his voice no match for Braden’s.
The steward backed away, staring at her in fascination before his gaze switched to Braden.
Braden fought like a crazed man, wrenching himself free to run toward her. Then past her.
Monroe could not be allowed to live. Not after that.
Braden jerked the knife from Monroe’s hand and plunged it into the steward’s chest and shoved him back.
Then he rushed to Ilisa, praying she yet lived. “Ilisa?” he whispered as he crouched beside her. He placed his hands over hers on top of the long cut—anything to stop the blood that seeped between her fingers.
Her gaze shifted to his. The panic he’d seen in their depths had changed to something far more disturbing—acceptance. “I’m sorry, Braden. I’m so sorry. I love you.”
His heart wept. “Hold tight. Do not let go. I’ve got you.”
“Nay. ’Tis too much risk. Take care of Alec.”
He ignored her words. He would not allow her to leave him. His back was to Graham and the others as he knelt beside Ilisa. They didn’t matter. All that mattered was Ilisa. “You will not die this day.”
“Braden,” she protested as he pulled her hands aside. She clutched his wrists as he firmly held her throat. The weakness in her grip terrified him, causing him to blink back tears.
He knew he risked his life with this effort. He was still weak from healing Alec and may not have recovered enough to do it again. But he would do all in his power to save her.
With a slow, deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused on the heat of her injury, ignoring the blood escaping between his fingers. He pushed his thoughts forward, alarmed at what he felt.
Holding his energy along the cut for a long moment, he then drew it back, nearly choking with the pain that swept over him.
Then all was dark.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ilisa woke with a gasp, desperate to catch her breath, only to realize the terrible choking sensation was gone, along with the intense pain. She put a hand to her neck, feeling the cut there. It hurt, but she yet lived.
A Knight's Temptation (Falling For A Knight Book 2) Page 27
