Highlander's Trials of Fire

Matthew slid his hand down to take Jonet’s. He brought her closer to his side, hoping that his presence would help her see that she was protected. Her silence spoke volumes, but right now, Matthew could not interpret it very well.

“Jonet.” Laird MacLagain made his way over to his daughter in three long strides. The determination written across his face was something great to behold. “Ye willnae leave this Castle until we find out who did this. We cannae risk what happened with those brigands to happen again.”

Matthew had expected some sort of protest from her, but she only nodded silently.

Laird MacLagain looked at Matthew. “Stay by her side, Matthew. If someone is after both of ye, ye will be better off protectin’ each other.”

“Aye, Me Laird.”

Laird MacLagain nodded, seeming satisfied with Matthew’s agreement. He turned his attention to his brother. “Come with me, Dougal. I shall interrogate those brigands some more. Maybe that’ll give us a clue as to who is behind all this.”

Dougal nodded determinedly. Before they left, Laird MacLagain addressed Jonathan, “Question the maids. Tell me all ye find out after ye do.”

“Aye, Me Laird,” Jonathan nodded.

They all left, one after the other. Jonathan left after a lingering look of what appeared to be sadness cast over the both of them. Matthew had no doubt he would do whatever he could to reveal the culprit.

The moment they were alone, he looked down at Jonet. She was staring at the rug beneath her feet, her mind far away.

“Jonet? Are ye all right?”

She did not answer with words. She only nodded slowly and took a deep, shuddering breath.

Matthew wrapped his arms tightly around her, stroking her hair. She took another breath, but he was relieved to know that she was not crying.

“At least now I ken it wasnae a wicked curse that caused their deaths. It seems someone has been trying to take away everyone who gets close to me. And now ye’re their next target.”

“I willnae let anythin’ happen to either one of us,” Matthew told her, kssing the top of her head. “Now that we ken this, we will be able to look out for any signs of danger.”

“And when an arrow comes shootin’ out at ye again?” she asked, looking up at him. Her eyes dry, but tortured. “What do ye do next?”

“I’ll just dodge it like I did last time.”

“Ye are puttin’ a lot of faith into what was obviously just yer luck.”

“Ah, yer faith in me is always so rewarding.”

She did not laugh the way he had hoped she would. She only hugged him tighter. Matthew simply held her, knowing that she needed the time to sort through her thoughts.

“Everythin’ will be fine in the end, right, Matthew?” she asked after a while. “We’ll find this person, and then we’ll be free to marry and be happy, right?”

“Of course,” he said, kissing the top of her head again. “I’ll make sure of it.”

And when the time comes, I’ll make sure to tell ye everythin’ about me past. I just pray ye will find it in yer heart to forgive me.

Chapter 22

Rinalda handled the news far better than Jonet had expected. She did not take her eyes from her mother though, fearing she might slip into an episode. Rinalda was certainly very strong, but in her weakened state, Jonet did not want to risk making it worse.

She had not wanted to tell her. She had planned to stay away from her mother’s room for some time, just until they found the person who sent the letter. Jonet had known that if she dared to sit before her mother, she would pull the information out of her before Jonet even knew what was happening.

Yet Matthew had convinced her to go to her. He kept saying that it was wrong to keep her in the dark and that she was much stronger than she appeared. Aside from the odd faith Matthew had in a woman he had only met a few months prior, Jonet could not deny that his suggestion was tempting. She had been longing to go to Rinalda ever

since Matthew revealed the letter. She had managed two whole days holding in the urge to seek her mother’s company and reassurance.

“Ma?” Jonet glanced uncertainly at Matthew who was sitting by her side. He took her hand as she faced her mother’s drawn face. “Are ye all right?”

“I should be the one askin’ ye that, Jonet.” Rinalda spoke, as calmly as she could with trembling hands. She refolded the letter and placed it by her bed. Jonet had neglected to bring the hair along, not wanting to make things worse than it needed to be. She did not know why she hadn’t tossed it in the fire yet.