Page 52 of A Fearless Rebel

Keithen closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of rescue and then all went dark.

*

“It will be a long time before ye can get about without pain,” the healer informed Keithen several days later. He’d finally managed to remain awake long enough to know he was back at Fraser Keep in his own bedchamber.

Because of his broken leg and other injuries, it was impossible to move without excruciating pain. Even now, he wondered if he’d live past all the damage that had been done. Instinctively, he knew his worst injuries were not visible. The pangs that ran down his back from being kicked signaled all was not well.

“Where is my wife?” he asked. “Did she remain at Mackenzie Keep?”

Esme, his sister, huffed. “In all probability. That is where she belongs.” She neared the bed and pressed a hand to his cheek. “What ye need to concern yerself with is healing. I will be here to ensure ye do.” She smiled down at him. “I love ye, dear brother.”

Never had he been more grateful for his sister’s unnaturally accurate archery skills. From atop a moving horse, Esme had struck the rope and saved his life.

“Ye are an amazing archer,” he said, slurring the words as a result of whatever was in the tonic the healer had given him.

His sister shrugged. “I was not about to lose ye.”

“What happened? Who came with ye to save me?”

She lowered to a chair. “Two hundred Ross warriors and all of Clan Fraser. The Mackenzie surrendered without much of a fight. Malcolm is meeting with the other Laird Mackenzie to decide what is to be done. Malcolm knows Clan Ross cannot take over the lands without threat from other larger Mackenzie clans.”

“Alastair lives then?”

Esme’s face shuttered. “I believe so.”

“Ye shot him, didn’t ye?” Keithen met her gaze. “Why didn’t ye kill him?”

His sister gave a one-shouldered shrug. “My husband would be cross if I started a war.”

Keithen shook his head. “Where did ye shoot him?”

“Between the legs.”

Despite hating the man, Keithen couldn’t help but shudder. “Well, that was not what I expected to hear. Do not ever tell Ava this.”

His sister hesitated and finally nodded. “If she returns, I will not speak of it.”

Broden walked into the room, his gaze boring into Keithen’s. “No one has seen her since she fell behind when following the men from Ross Keep.”

He fought against the lure of sleep. “Ye must find her. She did not return to Mackenzie Keep. I am sure of it.”

“Scouts have been sent. Yer wife will be found.” Broden studied him for a bit. “Why were ye on Mackenzie lands?”

Keithen didn’t want to admit that he’d gone after Ava. But being that she was gone as well, he was sure they’d figure it out. “Ava went to find out if her brother and mother had been killed in the MacDonnell attack. I went after her.”

“I knew she was the cause of this,” Esme snapped. “Ye should have let her go. If she does not wish to return, then so be it.”

He’d not stopped asking himself why Ava had not appeared yet. He suspected it could be guilt over what had happened to him. After learning she’d ridden so far alone in the night to rally Clan Ross, he’d been both impressed and shocked at her actions.

However, now she’d yet to appear and from all accounts, she had Gallant with her.

“Esme?” he started and his sister arched a brow. “Did ye speak to her?”

His sister nodded. “Aye, I did. I told her she was the reason for the situation and if ye died, I would find her and kill her myself.”

Keithen closed his eyes. “Let me know as soon as she is found.”

“I will take the patrol on a wider circle.” His friend’s assurance brought only a bit of confidence that Ava would be returned to him.