Emlyn didn’t want to leave James’ side, but he was in good hands and she hadn’t slept in days. The thought of closing her eyes seemed unfathomable. She swore to only rest an hour or two and then return to his side.
She followed James’ father to their cottage. He opened the door for her and she entered. The cottage was homey and large, affording a kitchen to the left and a large table to the right. Beyond was a large comfortable bed and her eyes grew weary looking at it. She kept James’ tartan wrapped around her for it solaced her and it smelled like him. With hesitancy, she approached the bed and lay upon it.
“Get some rest, lass, for Alys will see to the lad. Worry not.” His father patted her head.
“I will try.” Emlyn heard the door close and within seconds she fell asleep.
During the night, she opened her eyes and peered about the cottage. A large fire banked the hearth in the kitchen. She saw Joseph sitting at the table drinking from a cup. Emlyn felt rested and sat up.
“How is he?” She joined him at the table and he handed her a cup and poured ale from a flagon, filling it.
“He hasn’t awoken. Thank you for bringing him here. I deem he wouldn’t have come on his own.” The man’s words spoken with sorrow tensed her heart.
Emlyn sighed for she didn’t know what happened betwixt James and his father. She wasn’t sure how much to tell him about their journey. “He mentioned that he was going to visit you, if that means anything.”
“Aye, it does. I had hoped …”
“I should be thanking you for aiding him. I was so worried that we wouldn’t find help and I despaired at how much longer he could go without care.”
Joseph nodded and continued to drink down his ale. “I’ve never seen a man so broken. It hurts to see him like that.”
Emlyn lowered her gaze, for if he hadn’t been trying to protect her, he wouldn’t have been attacked. It hurt her more knowing she was the cause and she’d never forgive herself if he didn’t mend.
“I can see it on your face, lass. Don’t hold the guilt, for he’s stubborn and would’ve run into the fray without thought of his safety.”
“I deem that is the truth. Your wife spoke to him in my father’s language. I was surprised.” She held her cup out for more and he obliged.
Joseph chuckled. “Aye, I found my wee Alys in the hinterlands of the south. Was the best day of my life when she agreed to marry me. I always hoped my James would find a woman akin to you, milady. Are ye married to our James?”
She shook her head. “Nay, I am under his care and he was given the task of protecting me until I was called home.”
His father laughed in a mocking way. “Ha, I deem you protected him more than he you. I suspect that won’t sit well with him when he learns of it.”
“Nay, I don’t suspect it will.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
James awoke and found himself in an unfamiliar place. It was dark, and but one candle flickered across the room. He tried to move and realized he was bound. His body was strapped to the bed he lay upon. He pulled against the bounds and discerned his efforts to escape were futile.
He rasped at the failure and at the pain that coursed through him. His chest tightened with dread. James closed his eyes and tried to think of the last thing he remembered. Emlyn was taken away and he’d fought his captors. He recalled being drug away and tortured in their god-awful chamber.
A wince came when he remembered being put upon the table and his back felt akin to being stabbed with a hundred daggers. His breath came harshly at that memory and he tried to calm by taking slower breaths. Wherever he was, it wasn’t in the chamber, and he noticed he lay upon a comfortable bed. The hideous warder was nowhere in sight.
He opened his eyes again and saw a woman standing next to him.
“James, be calm, lad, you’re safe.”
“Where am I?” He barely recognized his own voice as his throat was beyond parched.
“Emlyn brought you.”
James groaned as pain began to spread through his limbs. “Where is she?” he asked low, barely able to get the words out.
The woman leaned forward and set a cup against his mouth. “Drink slowly. Emlyn went to get us something to eat. She’ll return in a few minutes.”
“Who are you?” His voice returned, and he watched the woman, hesitant to trust her for he didn’t recognize her and she had yet to answer his questions. Several seconds went by and he wasn’t sure she would tell him.
“You do not remember me? I understand. It has been many a year since you saw me. Why the last time I saw you, you sat upon my knee. I’m your mother.” Her eyes grew shiny, and she set a cloth against her cheeks.
His chest hurt, and he wasn’t sure if it was from what she’d told him or if it was caused by his injuries. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you.”
“I haven’t seen you since you were wee. I don’t expect that you would remember me.”
“Is Emlyn unharmed?” James tried to move, but his bounds kept him from doing so. “How did we get here?” He moaned at the horrible pain in his calf and desperately wanted to rub it.
“Aye, she’s well, but has worried for you. She hasn’t left your side except for a few hours when you first arrived. But I bade her to get rest. She rode for days trying to get you to safety. The Gunn sentry found you and brought you here.”
“Did she mention she was the reason we were in danger?” James firmed his lips, for he recalled none of which the woman spoke of. “How did she rescue me?”
“I deem she’ll want to speak of it. Now listen to me lad, you have injuries that require you to remain still. You mustn’t move.”
“Is that why I’m strapped down?”
“Aye, son, I had Joseph help set your arm and leg and they’re restrained now so you can begin to heal. I was afeared we’d have to remove your leg, but Emlyn forbade me from doing so. I am not certain we set it to right. You mustn’t move, promise me.”
“I won’t. You’re a healer?” James was astonished he’d been cared for so thoroughly.
“I am. I’ve been since before I wed your father. My own mother was a healer as well.”
“I’ve some of your skill,” he said, stunned by their conversation, for he’d had an affinity for healing and never knew why.
“I’m not surprised. You used to watch me tend people from when you were a bairn. Fy Hogyn hyfryd,” she said, and tried to hand him the cup. “You may drink a little more.”
“What say you? I want to know.”
She pressed the cup against his lips. “I bespoke the endearment I used to call you when you were wee. My lovely lad.”
James didn’t like being confined, but he realized he would have to remain still in order to heal. “My leg hurts.”
“Aye and it should. Do you wish for something for the pain? I’ve mixed herbs that will make you more comfortable, but ye shall sleep again.”
“Nay, not yet. I sorry, Mother.” James’ chest tightened, and he looked at her closely trying to see her as he had when he was young. But the years faded those memories, and he had no recollection of her.
“‘Twas no trouble.”
“Nay, I do thank you for your care. But I speak of something else. I am remorseful for not coming back to visit you. I was angry at Joseph and stayed away.”
“I know you were.” She patted his shoulder gently. “We shan’t speak of that. I would like you to rest.”
The door opened and Emlyn appeared. She set the trencher of food on a nearby table and walked slowly toward him. James took his time looking at her. She didn’t appear harmed. But he became conflicted.
“James, you’re finally awake.” She hastened to his side, her green eyes softening as she looked into his eyes. He saw the worry there.
A much as he was relieved she was well and unharmed, he wasn’t pleased by the danger she’d put them in. He needed time to consider his regard on the matter.