My Captive Highlander (Highland Adventure Book 7) by Vonda Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page A

she'd been half asleep until this moment.
    "You must help me, Maili," he whispered. His fiery obsidian eyes pleaded with her.
    "How?"
    "Help me get out of here tonight."
    Why would he ask this of her right after kissing her? "You're trying to manipulate me and use me?" Her heart ached with the realization.
    "Nay. There is naught I like more than kissing you. But if I can get back home in time, my brother won't bring a fleet of galleys and attack your clan's castle. No one has to know you helped me."
    "They will suspect." Aye, they would. But, regardless, she had to help him. 'Twas her only option if she wanted to avoid marrying Sleat . "If I help you escape, will you take me with you?" she whispered only louder than a breath.
    Shamus watched her for a long moment, obviously thinking that over. "Much as I would like to, I cannot. Your brother would consider it abduction, even if you want to go. ' Twould cause clan war just as my imprisonment will."
    She couldn't tell him that her brother had betrothed her to a chief, for it would make Shamus even more resistant to taking her with him. Bride thievery was a serious offense and would rile the two branches of the MacDonald clan.
    "I must go," she said. She had to clear her mind and think.
    "Wait, my hands are still tied."
    "Very well. Turn around." When he did, she slipped the sgian dubh from the sheath on her ankle and cut the cloth binding his wrists. She had much to think over. If he wouldn't take her with him, did she truly want to help him escape only to get into trouble with her brother? He might beat her, or have one of his men do it. She started up the dungeon steps.
    "I hope you'll return soon," Shamus called after her.
    Aye, she would like to, but she didn't ken what to do. Exhausted as she was, she couldn't think clearly.
    Had he only kissed her to sway her in helping him escape? Her heart sank. She had so hoped he might come to truly care for her.
    She hurried across the courtyard and upstairs to her chamber, closed the door and barred it.
    Her mind in turmoil, she paced until her heart rate and breathing calmed, then she built up the fire by adding dried peat. She could think of no other solution to all the problems than to assist him in escaping and then going with him, whether he wanted her to or not. She had to somehow convince him.
    If she remained here, she would be married to Sleat in a week's time. Her life would be over. She simply could not imagine being married to the goat. He was old enough to be her father. Not only that, but he had a vicious look in his eyes. Hints of his cruelty leaked out here and there in the way he treated his men. He had grabbed her arse not one minute after he had entered Bearach Castle. He held no respect for women, whether they were ladies or not. Plus, if Shamus didn't get home before his brother brought a fleet of galleys and a huge garrison, most of her clan could be slaughtered.
    Having slept little the night before because of worrying, Maili removed her arisaid , lay down on the bed and pulled the counterpane over her.
    A few hours later, she awoke, gasping for breath. She had again seen the future and it was terrible.
    The MacKenzie chief would attack their castle and lay waste to it. Most of the men would be killed. She saw the vision of their bloody bodies lying strewn about the bailey.
    "Nay," she whispered, leaping to her feet. She had to do something. She had to figure out how to help Shamus escape so he could stop his brother.
    But he'd said he couldn't take her with him if she did help him. She would go anyway, whether he liked it or not. She would follow.
    A knock sounded at the door and she jumped.

Chapter Six

    Maili opened her bedchamber door to find one of the serving maids waiting there. "The chief sent me to fetch you to supper."
    Maili now heard strains of music filtering up from the great hall. 'Twas the last place she wished to go. Her brother and Sleat were there.
    "I have a headache. Please tell him I'm