Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T he list idea had come to him in a moment of genius, but it wasn’t just so Domhnall could help Katherine complete it. The tension between them was becoming too much, and as much as he disliked the idea of being forced to marry, he knew if he was to keep his clan safe, he simply had no choice. There was no point bucking against it.

Besides, both Enya, Thora and his brothers were all giving him a hard time. Well, maybe not so much Kai, but that was only because he was too busy with his own lasses. That, and because since their parent’s deaths, he had dealt with it by hiding his true feelings and relying on jokes and humor. Domhnall hated that. Sooner or later, it was going to bite Kai in the arse, but for now, Domhnall had other things to worry about.

As mortified as Katherine obviously was when they talked about it, he was pleased that she had agreed to let him help her complete her list, and thinking of the easiest one to address, he had decided to take her horse-riding.

Admittedly, he had thought it would take her far longer to get the hang of it, but she was a quick learner, which had only impressed him more. In less than an hour, they had galloped across the glens, snow floating around them as the horses’ hooves kicked it up from the ground.

It hadn’t slipped his notice how invigorated she looked, how her perfectly pale skin had glowed, and how the cold air had brought a red blush to her cheeks.

She is a beauty. I cannae deny that.

But just as Katherine began apologizing for her words on the day they had sparred - something that hadn’t surprised him, for as feisty as she was, he could not imagine her as cruel - he heard a twig snap behind them.

“I dinnae think we’re alone,” Domhnall murmured, when Katherine asked why he had stopped so suddenly.

Even as he now looked back through the trees, he couldn’t see anything, but with the denseness of the forest, that meant little. It was the perfect place for an ambush. Plenty of cover meant they were an easy target, for it was not difficult to creep up on someone when they could run from tree to tree.

“We should go back,” Katherine said breathlessly, now looking behind her too.

“We’re nae far from the castle. These lands are full o’ my people. Still, I need ye tae ride back now as fast as ye can, dae ye hear me?”

But Katherine shook her head. “No. I won’t leave you. I can help.”

“Nae, Katherine. I want ye tae leave. If this is an ambush, I cannae have ye hurt, dae ye understand me?”

He now stared at her intently, and as brave as she was trying to be, he could see the fear dancing in her eyes. Of course, he could tell her that he could handle the situation with ease, but she could not know that. She could not know about his power.

“Go,” he demanded. “Go now.”

Katherine held his gaze for a few more seconds, and then, she tightened her grip on the reigns, turned ahead, and was about to leave.

Suddenly, five men jumped out from the trees, all of them surrounding both of them. As panic rose within him, Domhnall launched himself from his horse, grabbed Katherine, and sped through the trees with unnatural speed. She was going to realize, but he couldn’t think about that right now. He had to protect her.

Once he had placed her behind a huge boulder, he took hold of her shoulders and looked intently into her terrified eyes.

“Stay here. Dinnae move, dae ye understand?”

Trembling, she nodded her head eagerly.

“Ye cannae move from here, Katherine. Stay hidden. Stay hidden and dinnae look.”

Again, she speechlessly nodded, but then, she grabbed his hand.

“Please be careful.”

Domhnall nodded, and in another second, he raced back to the men who were currently running through the trees to reach him.

“Argh!” he screamed at the top of his voice, running at them with his sword held high.

If the war cry didn’t terrify them, the speed at which he ran towards them obviously did, and the men’s faces betrayed doubt in their ability. Still, they ventured forth.

As the gap between them closed, Domhnall swung his sword, knocking two men off their feet. These men were no match for him, and thus, he held no fear in his heart. He was angry though. Strangers on the land was bad enough, but men attacking him and Katherine would not be tolerated.

Two of the others put up a good fight, but in no time, they too, were knocked off their feet, and then, struck so hard they fell unconscious. Only one remained, and even though with terror on his face, he still came at Domhnall. With one single, unnaturally fast strike, he put the brigand on his back, and with his sword held high, Domhnall stood over him, shaking with rage, and ready to slice him in two.

“No!” the man cried. “No. Please.”

It took all of Domhnall’s self-control not to bring his sword down. So angry was he, that he wanted to smite every last one of them. Somehow, he stopped himself. How could he question them and discover why they were there if he killed them?

Kill them. Kill them all!

But as Domhnall lifted his sword higher, a movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention, and turning, he saw Katherine, her mouth agape, gazing at him in terror.

“Stay there,” he bellowed.

Katherine did not move at all, but not because of his instruction. It was clear she was in complete shock, and the laird had to wonder how much she had actually seen.

“Get back behind the boulder now,” Domhnall barked, his anger still seething and pumping through his veins.

It took her a second to comprehend the demand, but a moment later, Katherine turned and went back to her hiding place. He watched her go, but not without acknowledging how aggressively he had spoken to her. This wasn’t her fault. She didn’t deserve that, and yet, his emotions had, once more, gotten the better of him.

“Damn it!”

Standing there feeling guilty was not going to help anyone, however, and thus, with lightning speed, Domhnall hurried to his horse. Faster than any man ought to be able, he returned to the men and, one by one, tied each of them to a tree. When he and Katherine arrived back at the castle, he would send his men out to fetch them. For now, he needed to get Katherine back to safety.

With the men alive and secure, if not a little beaten up, he made his way to the boulder, where Katherine remained. At his approach, she stood and looked at him.

“Are ye all right?” she gasped. “Did they hurt ye?” Her eyes scanned his body as she spoke.

Domhnall could not help but feel surprised. He expected her to be fearful for her own life. That, or angry at him for the way he had spoken to her. Strangely, however, she seemed more concerned about his welfare.

“I’m fine, Katherine. We need tae go.”

Between the forest and the castle, their journey was silent. Partly because Katherine was clearly in shock, and he was still raging with anger, and partly because they were travelling at too great a speed to speak.

Once through the gates, Domhnall jumped from his horse and began barking orders at his men. In little time, a group of soldiers were on horseback and were leaving the castle gates, heading in the direction of the forest.

Swiftly turning to Katherine, who still remained on her horse, he said, “Ye need tae go inside now, Katherine.”

“No,” she said determinedly.

“What?” Domhnall frowned.

“I’m not leaving you until I know you’re all right.”

“I’m fine,” Domhnall shrugged, reaching up and gently lifting her from her mare.

But once he placed her on the cobblestone beside him, she still didn’t move. At that same moment, Magnus hurried to his side.

“What happened?” his brother demanded.

Domhnall gave him a knowing look. Clearly, his brother had sensed something had happened, even from this distance.

“Katherine and I were attacked,” he said, knowing that Magnus already had that information.

“How many?” Magnus pressed.

Again, his question was for the benefit of Katherine’s presence, but before Domhnall had the chance to answer, Katherine did it for him.

“There were at least five of them, Magnus. They came out of nowhere and were suddenly upon us. Your brother,” she nodded at Domhnall, “took all of them down by himself. He will not tell me if he is injured. Nor will he let me help him.” Her eyes were angry. “Maybe his pride will not be as thick with you.”

Magnus played along and gave her a sympathetic look. “Dinnae worry, Katherine. I will mak’ sure he is checked over. And what o’ ye? Are ye injured?”

Katherine shook her head quickly. “Not at all. Domhnall hid me before they had a chance.”

“Then perhaps ye should go and see Enya at any rate,” Magnus said kindly. “Ye’ve had quite a shock. She’s bound tae have a tonic that might settle ye.”

Katherine looked from one brother to the other, hesitating to leave. Eventually, however, she nodded before hurriedly heading into the castle.

As they watched her go, Magnus said, “What have ye done tae her?”

Domhnall turned and frowned at him. “I’ve done naething at all.”

A smile danced on the corner of Magnus’s mouth. “Well, ye must have done something, braither. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her so concerned fer yer welfare. And believe me. She is worried.”

“I dinnae have tae read her mind tae see that,” Domhnall murmured, feeling slightly bewildered.

Magnus nodded. “And ye’re surprised.”

“Can ye blame me, after all the animosity between us?”

“Nae really,” Magnus said.

Maybe she was in shock because of what had happened. Perhaps she’d never been in such a terrifying situation before. Whatever it was, Domhnall was still reeling over her concern. They had got off on the wrong foot, and, until today, little had improved. But then, while they had been riding, he had opened up to her far more than he ordinarily would any other. They had shared their feelings and allowed themselves to be a little vulnerable. Was that the way forward?

“Now,” Magnus said, cutting into his thoughts, “let’s go inside and ye can tell me what happened.”