The Scottish Princess

Let Me Help

We spent another hour or so in bed. I knew that he would have to leave soon but I craved him so much more now, I don’t know if I could watch him walk out that door. I laid over his chest a bit but my ear resting on his heart. 

“My lord, I need you to promise me something.” I shifted my head so I could look up at him.

“Anything prìseil.”

I took a deep a breath before I continued.

“Please promise me that you will come back to me. I need you now more than every my lord. I need to hold you in my arms once more. Do you promise me that you will not be reckless? I want my sister back but I don’t want to have to sacrifice you as the cost.”

Graham shifted us suddenly and cradled me in his lap. He pressed his forehead against mine,

“I will never leave you willingly. I fully intend on making you the mother of my children, the only way to do that is to be here to f**k you into next week.” I know that he was using humor as a defense mechanism. He automatically set up camp in my neck and started licking and sucking at my skin making my neck to the side. I let out a small moan as my nerves awoke from his touch. “What do you say prìseil? Round two.” His lips never left my neck. 

Graham never even waited for a response before I was flipped onto my back with my legs up over his shoulders and he slipped into me once more. 

This time around, Graham decided to roll me up like a pretzel, I was hot and sweaty by the time he was finished with me. 

Graham got up quickly and started to dress. I pulled my knees up to my chest, giving him a nice juicy shot. He stopped cold when he saw how I was sitting,

“You best not sit like that lass otherwise, I’ll never leave.” I smiled mischievously at him.

“That’s the point my lord.

I could tell that he was trying hard not to look down at my center. He just smirked and walked over to the bed once he fastened his belt and tartan onto his kilt. He leaned over the side of the bed and kissed me on the lips. 

“I’m sorry prìseil, you know that I have to go.” I sunk a little, I knew that he was the only hope to finding Fiona. I just prayed that he would be safe and come back to me in one piece. “I really have to go prìseil, I love you. I promise you that the guard will keep you safe.” He kissed my nose and just like that, he was gone. I was left alone with my thoughts and I was spiraling. 

I couldn’t sit here like this anymore. I swung my legs off the side of the bed and slipped my robe around my shoulders and quickly tied it around my waist. As I walked over to my vanity, I collapsed to my knees. I couldn’t stop the tears that began to flow down my cheeks. I sat on the floor for a few more minutes, sobbing into my hands. Before long, there was a soft knock on the door. I stood quickly and adjusted myself before the door creaked open.

 “My lady, may we come in?” I wiped away my tears quickly before telling them to enter. My maids knew that I had been crying the moment they saw me. “Oh my lady, everything will be just fine. Here come sit by the fire.” Halley rushed over to me and led me to the settee in front of the hearth. The flames had gone down quite a bit, she started to poke it once I was settled. Bridgette came over with a fresh cup of tea, before attending to the linens on the bed, she stopped momentarily when she noticed the red spot on the sheets. She didn’t say anything before rushing out of the room. 

Halley disappeared for a few moments to gather my layers to help me dress. I just sat there with the cup of tea resting in my hands, I got lost watching the steam billow out of the rim. I knew that I couldn’t control my thoughts, there was nothing that I could do to help the situation with Fiona. I knew that staying put was the best way to keep myself sane, as much as I wanted to be out there slashing throats and making the bodies drop. I would do anything to get Fi back.

My limbs felt heavy and my mind was blank. Bridgette read my mind, she came over and placed her hands on my shoulders. 

“Don’t worry my lady, we can bring everything to you today, you don’t even need to dress if you don’t want to.” I looked over my shoulder and smiled sweetly at her, I couldn’t say anything without bursting into tears so I just nodded my head. “Would you like us to draw you a bath?” I smiled a little wider at the notion, the steam would do me good. Bridgette added some lavender to help me relax.

I dozed off in the water and let my thoughts wander. I tried to to focus on the positive, I kept circling back to the moment that I officially became his. I felt my belly clench as I recalled the pleasure that he had given me. 

I woke up after a while and felt the cold water around me. My fingers were wrinkly and pruny. I slowly pushed myself up to my feet just as Halley entered my room. 

“Oh! My lady, let me help you, I don’t want you to slip.” She rushed over to me just as I was about to step out of the tub. She quickly wrapped me in clean linens before putting my robe over my shoulders. I shuffled back over to the edge of my bed and sat down with sigh. I don’t know how long Graham was going to be so I had to find something to occupy my time. I pushed myself off the mattress and started rummaging through the room. I walked over to the desk searching for my charcoal and parchment. I pulled on one drawer at a time until I finally found a large book filled with blank paper and a few sticks of charcoal. I decided to do some sketching for a while. I skidded the settee across the floor and pulled it over by the window. I had a beautiful view of the garden, the sunlight was at the perfect point in the sky. I noticed that there were lots of people milling about the courtyard. The trees were filled with bright fruit, ready for harvest. I focused on a large apple tree in the garden, it would be beautiful on paper. 

I sat there for a few hours sketching until my eyes couldn’t focus and my back was about to give out. I noticed that my stomach had started to rumble as well. I hadn’t realized that I hadn’t eaten yet today. I safely tucked my sketch book away in the desk and headed for the door. I noticed a shadow at the bottom, there was a set a large, boots firmly planted on the other side of the door. I cracked the door just a bit to see who was guarding me today. I was surprised to see Dugan. 

“Psst. Dugan?” I saw his head tilt ever so slightly. 

“Yes my lady?” I smiled at his stealth.

“I was wondering if you could fetch me something to eat? My lord would not be happy to find out that I haven’t eaten yet today.” Dugan full on turned to look down at me, he was genuinely surprised that they haven’t fed me. 

“Consider it done my lady, now close the door before someone sees. I will have one of your ladies maids tend to it.” I nodded my head and without another word, I shut the door. 

After a while longer, Halley had come to knock on my door. She had brought me a tray filled with morsels. My mouth started to water as the smell of bacon and eggs hit my nose. She smiled at my reaction. 

“I also brought you some porridge and fresh orange juice. I’m so sorry that we didn’t bring you food earlier my lady.” I waved her off as I watched her set the tray down on the table in the sitting area. 

“It’s quite alright Halley, I should have mentioned something earlier, it is my fault, not yours.” She helped me get situated before heading for the door once more. 

I was holed up in the room the rest of the day, I lost track of time. I had done so much sketching and knitting that my brain and my hands started to ache. I hoped that I would be be able to venture out to the garden tomorrow, I could be useful with the harvest. I know that I would have a full security team with me, so what’s the harm?

I knew that it was getting close to supper time when I heard a timid knock on the door. Bridgette stepped into the room. 

“Good evening my lady, I was wondering if you would like to go down to dinner or would you like us to bring it up to you?” I knew that I should stay in here, but I was going a bit stir crazy.

“Would I be able to go down to dinner?” Halley smiled and stepped further into the room. 

“I’m happy to hear that my lady. Let’s get you dressed and get you downstairs. 

She pulled my wool jacket up over my shoulders and laced up the front and adjusted my belt accordingly. I grabbed my cowl and buttoned it in front of my body before slipping into my boots. Just as my ladies were finishing I heard heavy footsteps coming down the hallway, it must have been someone else from the guard. I noticed that Bridgette’s fingers began moving faster as the footsteps got closer. 

My heart sprang to my throat, I got butterflies even though I knew that it couldn’t be Graham. Dugan extended his right arm out to me as I stepped into the hallway. I knew that there would be whispers around the great hall about how I hadn’t been out all day.

Clare lit up when she saw Dugan and I enter the room. 

“Oh thank heavens, I thought I wasn’t going to see you today. How are you feeling?” She asked me as I sat down beside her. She scooped up my hands and gave them a tight squeeze. 

I tried to stay strong as tears pooled in the corner of my eyes. I gave her a shy smile and surged my shoulders, I didn’t know how to answer that. I was scared, anxious, angry, and emotionally exhausted. 

“I’m fine.” I mustered just enough of a smile for her to back off. I scooted closer to Clare just as the rest of the guard surrounded the table. It was a wall clansmen on either side of us, there was no way someone was getting through without a fight. 

I felt better the second the food hit my stomach, I felt my energy return instantly, I felt like I could do anything. Clare had offered me a glass of brandy, but I knew that that wouldn’t be a good idea, once I started I don’t think that I would be able to stop. 

Towards the end of dinner I turned to Clare,

“Do you mind staying with me tonight? I don’t think that I can be alone again tomorrow.” She gave me a sympathetic smile and nodded her head. When it was time to head up stairs, we were literally surrounded by the guard, I couldn’t see 3 feet in front of me, we were being led by cattle. 

Clare and I settled in by the fire, my girls had brought us some tea and pastries. We sat there wrapped in our fur lined blankets and chatted for hours. Soon enough, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. 

We curled up under the blanket, even though I didn’t accomplish much, it was an extremely long day. I was thankful to have Clare by my side, it helped ease my depression and anxiety. Tomorrow is a new day, I was secretly hoping that I would be able to venture outside, the sunshine would do me well.

I was the first awake, Clare was still peacefully snoring when I started to stir. I heard a timid knock at the door, I didn’t want them to disturb Clare so I hurried out of bed and to the door. 

“Good morning my lady, I don’t mean to bother you ladies, but we have been sent to get you bathed and dressed. Would you like us to come back?” I glanced over my shoulder, to find Clare tossing in bed. I turned back to Halley,

“Yes please Halley, come back within the hour.” Without another word, Halley disappeared down the hallway. While I was up, I picked out my own outfit for today. I grabbed a dark red, wool dress with my cowl scarf and my fingerless gloves. I took down my hair and started brushing through the snarls, I must have been tossing and turning last night, my brush could barely get through the rat’s nest on the back of my head. My waves were actually behaving today, so I decided to leave them be, I whipped together a braid at the front of my hairline and let my curls be free. 

I heard Clare stir after a while longer. I walked over and sat at the foot of the bed. She flipped onto her back and her eyes fluttered open. 

“Good morning Isla, how did you sleep?” I chuckled as I recalled brushing through my hair this morning. 

“I guess I was tossing a lot too much last night, half of my hair now resides in my bristles.” I quickly glanced to my vanity as Clare started to giggle. “My ladies maids were here not too long ago, would you like some tea?  We could also have breakfast in bed if you’d like.” 

Clare lit up at the suggestion, but then her smile quickly faded away. “As much as I would like to, mother expects me to present myself in the hall and then we have more lessons today. I’m supposed to be getting matched to someone in the clan, I have no idea who it is. The best way to make a good first impression is to be present.” 

I nodded along as I listened to Therese’s plan, it was unorthodox but it was a great idea. There was a higher success rate due to the fact that Clare had probably met her betrothed before. Unlike normal matches, Clare would get to stay here with her family, which means that I wouldn’t have to lose Clare as well. 

I bid farewell to Clare so she could continue on with her day. A few minutes later, my girls came in with some fresh herbs and oils for my bath. My muscles still felt still from yesterday, I was carrying so much stress in my shoulders.

“Easy my lady, the water may be pretty warm. I know the chief would not appreciate blemish its on your skin.” I nodded my head as I gingerly stepped into the basin. 

Goosebumps covered my skin as my body temperature regulated to the heat. The fire was roaring beside me, and despite everything that has happened, I felt relaxed. 

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I let the steam enter my pores and I felt my anxiety melt away, even though it didn’t last long. 

Halley burst through the door like she had just seen a ghost. I looked at her with an appalled expression, something terrible must have happened. I sat up quickly, “Halley, what’s wrong?” She rushed over to me with my robe in her hands, she didn’t say a word as she helped me out of the bath. She set me down on the settee at the end of my bed before bouncing throughout the room. She resembled a spinning marble or a small fly buzzing about the room. She would occasionally place another article of cloth beside me before darting away to retrieve another. 

Finally, she stopped in front of me and out reached her hands to help me stand. Her poor fingers were shaking and I could tell her breathing was labored. “Halley, please stop. Look at me lass.” She reluctantly tilted her head up to me. I looked down into her piercing gray eyes. “Take a deep breath, focus on one thing at a time. I know that there is something going on, and I know that you cant tell me, but I assure you, it will take twice as long if you are flustered.” She sucked in her bottom lip and nodded her head. 

After I told her to calm down, Halley’s touch was much less shaky and her breathing returned to normal. As she handed me layers of my garb, I was the one to fasten them, we made quick work with two sets of hands. I knew that I didn’t need to look special, just clothed. 

I wrapped my curls up into a bun as we walked out of the door. Angus was standing in the hallway, I assumed he was waiting for me. 

He looked past my shoulder at Halley, “Thank you lass, I’ll take it from here.” Even Angus had a sense of urgency to his tone, something was definitely off. We took off a second after Halley disappeared. Angus began bounding large strides down the hall to the staircase, thank God I had long enough legs to keep up with him. My calves were burning by the time we came to the landing. “I have been instructed to keep my mouth shut, but Graham needs us both right now. He is not the one that is hurt.”

What? Graham was here? How was he back already. I shook my head, just be thankful that he’s alive and well. I began bursting with excitement to see him, even though I knew that tragedy was about to ensue. 

I looked up at him as I shakily made my way down the stairs. “Pay attention to where you’re walking my lady, we don’t need you getting hurt.” My eyes darted to my feet when he said that, he was right. The last thing that anyone needed was for their madam to take a spill down the stairs. 

Angus continued to lead me across the great hall until we reached Graham’s office. Angus knocked twice before the door was burst open. The room was filled with at least a dozen men. They all stopped chatting when they saw us enter. Graham pushed back from his desk, “If you’ll excuse us. Don’t go far.”

There was an echo of “Yes chief,” that followed the crowd out the door. When the room was empty, Graham came over and placed his hands on my shoulders and looked down into my eyes, they were filled with worry and fear. I wanted so badly for someone to tell me what was going on. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. 

“I love you very much prìseil, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” I took a deep breath as tears started to pool in my eyes. I was a nervous wreck, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but I knew that that wouldn’t do any good. 

Graham closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them once more. “I’m afraid they do have Fiona.” I took a step back and my hands flew up to my mouth. The last couple days I prayed that it was just a rouse, but it was real, and I wanted to puke. Not before a spark of rage coursed through my veins, I wanted to rip Frazier apart. My sweet Fiona was some how wrapped up in all this clan drama. Women were supposed to be off limits, they were always blameless, delicate creatures that were to be taken care of, not used for leverage. My blood began to boil and my vision went blurry, I didn’t care who had her or why, I knew that I was going to get her back. 

Graham saw that I was spiraling. “We will do everything we can to get her back. I need you to stay calm and stay hidden. They will be coming for you next.” 

“Frazier will have to take my corpse, because I would rather die than let someone take me away from where I belong.” I kept my tone even and icy as I spoke my declaration. I was a claimed women now, Frazier couldn’t touch me without breaking the oldest law the highlanders have, but poor Fiona was not officially Callan’s, Frazier could take her if he wanted. 

Graham could tell that I had lots of questions. “I came across Callan’s men on my way to MaKintosh, they said that Callan and his betrothed never arrived, so they went looking for them. 

“They assumed that they had just got caught up at your parent’s estate, they had no idea that Frazier had payed us a visit. I told them of the threats and they followed us back. We are not just looking for your sister but we are also looking for the MacKintosh Chief as well. I hope that we can bring them both back safe and sound.”

My mouth dropped open as Graham spoke, I wanted so badly to curse and scream into the wind, but I had to control y emotions, otherwise my judgement would be clouded. 

“I want you to stay hidden in the underground bunker.” I instantly shook my head at his suggestion, there was no way that I was going to just sit here and wait. I was going to go stir crazy, beside I don’t need these men to sacrifice their lives for my sister, if anyone was going to put their life on the line it was going to be me.  

Graham took a deep breath and I could see his shoulder slump. “I know that I promised you that you wouldn’t have to be closed off from the world, but I am truly worried for your safety. I want you to stay underground at all costs. I will have armed guards outside in the hallway.” Graham placed his hands on my shoulders and he studied my expression carefully. “We will find your sister and we will put an end to these Frazier fuckers once and for all.”

Graham grabbed hold of my chin and kissed me passionately, as if it was the last time. I felt my entire body go weak as I melted into his chest. His strong arms tightened around my back and waist. We stood there wrapped in each other’s arms. I willed my body to relax, I knew that Graham meant it when he said that he would do whatever he could to get Fiona back. For some reason, that wasn’t enough for me, I wanted to be the one that was ripping throats out or decapitating men. I need to know how I have to kill for retribution. Graham pulled away from me slightly, he was trying to read my face. 

“As much as I appreciate your concern for my safety, I will be coming along. There is no way that I will sit back and wait. I need to be out there with you, and I will not take no for an answer.” 

Graham’s muscles tightened around me and his chief voice came out.

“Absolutely f*****g not. There is no way in hell that you are going out there unprotected. You do not understand how ruthless this fucker is, if he gets his hands on you, he will kill you.” I squared off with Graham, I didn’t care, I would trade my life for Fiona’s.

“My lord, he does’t know that I am claimed.” I could hear angus clear his throat, he was reminding me to be discreet. “I am willing to be bait. Believe me, I will not let him touch me, we just need to make him think that I will.”

 I could see Graham’s wheels turning in his head, he was seriously considering this.

 “Make him think that you are willing to give me up, go in and rescue Fiona and I will find a way to escape.” Graham took a step back and pressed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. 

“Isla, you expect me to agree to this, you can’t just hope and pray that you can escape, we have no idea what he has planned for you. Honestly, I don’t want to think about him anywhere near you, every time I do, I want to puke. He will not have what’s mine.” I could see him soften a bit. He took a step forward and pulled me to his chest. “You are mine, Isla. I need to keep you safe, I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, there is no way that I will sacrifice you, you mean too much to me.” I could tell that he meant the words that he spoke, I just felt like I would be giving up if I stayed behind. 

“Graham, I need to help in some way. I know how to fight, I am a good shot with my crossbow. Please let me help, I know that our men will make sure that nothing happens to me. There is no way for me to be ‘unprotected.’ 

Graham fell silent, he could have put his foot down and demanded that I stay behind but I could tell that he was weighing the options. 

After a while, Graham finally spoke,

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I really don’t know why he was asking me that, of course I’m not alright, I am a f*****g mess. My little sister was kidnapped and our lives in danger. But I nodded my head silently, I didn’t want to answer him. “I will allow it, but I have conditions. You must move when I move, you do as you’re told and you stay hidden at all times.” 

Graham shifted slightly and started to lead us out of his office, He gave Angus a small nod as we passed him. Soon enough, Angus, Dugan, and a few others were following us upstairs to our bedroom. I don’t know how many men were planning on staying but I prayed that it would be enough. 

“We will leave at first light, I will have to organize our fleet, we will be heading to MacKintosh first to regroup and then we will head out to Frazier, it will be along journey, I hope that you are ready for it prìseiI.”  Once the door was closed and latched Graham turned to me. “I have to go attend to some things. When I come back, I want you naked on the bed, waiting for me. Is that understood?” I bit my lips as my belly started to clench. I nodded my head and Graham kissed my forehead before rushing back out the door.