Highlander Unchained by Monica McCarty Read Free Book Online

his open wound.
    Her chest squeezed as his body jerked, but his face remained impassive. The pain must be excruciating. But except for the tightness around his mouth, she wouldn’t have known it.
    She jumped up from the rock, at once understanding the reason for the fire. She’d seen it done once before, as a child. She took a step toward him and stopped when one of his men lifted a dagger from the fire. A dagger with a blade that glowed a fiery red.
    Unconsciously, she clenched her hand, recalling the time she’d been trying to help in the kitchen and accidentally knocked over the large iron stew pot that had been simmering over the fire. Without thinking, she’d grabbed for it, burning her hand badly. She still bore the scars on her palm. She couldn’t imagine how much it would hurt on an open wound.
    One of the men tried to give him a stick to put between his teeth, but he refused. He lifted his shirt, and her stomach lurched. She could see the gaping wound from here.
    She took a step toward him and stopped. His eyes found hers as the side of the blade hit the wound.
    The sizzling sound of the blade upon his flesh made her chest twist. Yet despite the pain, he barely flinched. And through it all, he held her gaze.
    She could smell…it was horrible. She turned, breaking the connection, unable to bear it any longer.
    She’d never witnessed anything like it. It was the most impressive display of control and strength she’d ever seen.
    She wouldn’t apologize, but neither could she ignore the fact that she’d done that to him. Nor could she ignore the strange conflicting feelings he aroused in her. How could she admire a man who’d kidnapped her?
    She had to get out of here.
    It was her worst nightmare. Banished to the Highlands and forced to marry an uncouth savage. Now would be the best time to escape, while he was weakened. Slowly, she started moving back.
    His head snapped around, and she froze.
    “Flora.” His voice was hard and steady. “Take one more step and you’ll regret it.”
    Not weakened at all. The man was inhuman.
     
    Another night had passed by the time they climbed up the sea-gate stairs to Drimnin Castle. Lachlan’s side ached, and his head felt as if it had been split in two with Allan’s battle-ax. The bleeding had stopped, but if he didn’t get some rest soon, he knew fever would set in. If it hadn’t already.
    He led them across the yard and up the timber forestairs to the entry of the keep. As was common with most tower house castles, the only entry was from the first floor. If any attackers made it through the gate, the stairs could easily be removed or burned.
    It was more of a relief than he would admit when they entered the warmth of the keep.
    Flora looked around the entry, obviously unimpressed, and spun on him immediately, eyes flashing. “Where is he? I demand that you take me to your laird, now.”
    “Demand?” His temper flared. He was in no mood for her sharp tongue. “Have care, little one. Remember your status here.”
    “How could I forget? I’m a prisoner. Abducted by a band of Highland barbarians.”
    His hand whipped out to grip her arm, and he peered down into that beautiful mutinous face. “I do not like that word.” His voice cut like steel. “Do not use it again.”
    He saw the spark in her eyes, delighting in the knowledge that she’d gotten to him. “The truth too painful?”
    His gaze slid down the length of her body. A barbarian would know exactly how to shut her up. “Would you like it to be?”
    “How dare you—”
    “There’s not much I wouldn’t dare, and you’d do best to remember it.” He nodded, and his men and the servants retreated, leaving them alone.
    She didn’t miss the silent command. “Just who do you think you are?”
    He smiled, but it was without humor. “Who do you think? Your host.”
    Her eyes widened. “You couldn’t be.”
    Her disbelief shouldn’t bother him, but it did. He was the Laird of Coll, and she’d