||COUNTDOWN ||SEASON 1 EPISODE 15 || WENTWORTH PRISON ||
#83daysofoutlander☆
"So we seem to be at an impasse." Randall's well-bred English tones were casual. "Unless you have a suggestion?""I have. You want me." The cool Scottish voice was matter-of-fact. "Let the woman go, and ye can have me." The knifepoint moved slightly, nicking my ear. I felt a sting and the warm ooze of blood."Do what ye wish to me. I'll not struggle, though I'll allow you to bind me if ye think it needful. And I'll not speak of it, come tomorrow. But first you'll see the woman safe from the prison." My eyes were on Jamie's ruined hand. A small pool of blood under the middle finger was growing, and I realized with a shock that he was deliberately pressing the finger into the table, using the pain as a spur to stay conscious. He was bargaining for my life using the only thing he had left—himself. If he fainted now, that single chance was gone.
"You'll give me your word?"Jamie's eyes were like blue matchflames in the parchment of his face. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "In return for yours."
The attraction of a victim at once completely unwilling and completely compliant was irresistible."Done." The knife left my shoulder and I heard the susurrus of sheathed metal. Randall walked slowly past me, around the table, picking up the mallet as he went. He held it up, ironically questioning. "You'll allow me a brief test of your sincerity?""Aye." Jamie's voice was as steady as his hands, flat and motionless on the table. I tried to speak, to utter some protest, but my throat had dried to a sticky silence.Moving without haste, Randall leaned past Jamie to pluck a ha'penny nail delicately from the reed basket.He positioned the point with care and brought the mallet down, driving the nail through Jamie's right hand into the table with four solid blows. The broken fingers twitched and sprang straight, like the legs of a spider pinned to a collection board.Jamie groaned, his eyes wide and blank with shock. Randall set the mallet down with care. He took Jamie's chin in his hand and turned his face up. "Now kiss me," he said softly, and lowered his head to Jamie's unresisting mouth.Randall's face when he rose was dreamy, eyes gentle and faraway, long mouth quirked in a smile. Once upon a time, I had loved a smile like that, and that dreamy look had roused mein anticipation. Now it sickened me. Tears ran into the corner of my mouth, though I didn't remember starting to cry. Randall stood a moment in his trance, gazing down at Jamie. Then he stirred, remembering, and drew the knife once more from its sheath.The blade slashed carelessly through the binding around my wrists, grazing the skin. I hardly had time to rub the circulation back into my hands before he was urging me up with a hand beneath my elbow, pushing me toward the door."Wait!" Jamie spoke behind us, and Randall turned impatiently.
"You'll allow me to say goodbye?" It was a statement more than a question, and Randall hesitated only briefly before nodding and giving me a shove back toward the motionless figure at the table.Jamie's good arm was tight around my shoulders and my wet face was buried in his neck."You can't," I whispered. "You can't. I won't let you."His mouth was warm against my ear.
"Claire, I'm to hang in the morning. What happens to me between now and then doesna matter to anyone." I drew back and stared at him."It matters to me!" The strained lips quivered in what was almost a smile, and he raised his free hand and laid it against my wet cheek."I know it does, mo duinne. And that's why you'll go now. So I'll know there is someone still who minds for me." He drew me close again, kissed me gently and whispered in Gaelic, "He will let you go because he thinks you are helpless. I know you are not." Releasing me, he said in English, "I love you. Go now."
Randall paused as he ushered me out the door. "I'll be bad very shortly." It was the voice of a man taking reluctant leave of his lover, and my stomach heaved.Silhouetted in red by the torch behind him, Jamie inclined his head gracefully toward the pinioned hand. "I expect you'll find me here."
Cap 35 Wentworth prison ~outlander
