Faith Unbroken, an Outlander Fanfiction

Price to Be Paid

"Faith." A warm hand caressed my face. It was smooth, not like Kaeden's. John's maybe. I opened my eyes, seeing my savior above me. "Faith, wake up." He smiled. My hand gripped his before fear took over.

"Stop, you're safe, my dear." His tone was calm and collected. I glanced around the room. We were in someone's home. Not mine or my mother's.

"Be still. You were injured." John stated.

"Annabelle and Henry." I mumbled. The pain in my back returned. But my stomach was still plump which meant I was still pregnant.

"They are safe too. I have them set up below. My lawyer is drawing up papers for them to be free." He chuckled, "Now, lie back and take a moment. You're in no condition to argue."

"My family?"

"They are on their way. I sent word the moment we left Greenbriar." He stated, patting my hand lightly.

"I killed Iverson." I muttered, sitting up slowly.

"I know. They caught someone this morning. They believe it was his son." John sighed. "For now, let's get you dressed into something clean and a proper meal in you." His smile was kind. He offered his hands to help me up. "Maybe a bath as well." I flicked my eyes to him, annoyed.

"What do you expect from me? I was held captive for a while." I rolled my eyes.

"At least you haven't lost your attitude." He laughed. I allowed him to help me off the bed. Without another thought, I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you. You didn't have to." His hand brushed over my hair again.

"I'd do anything for you." He smiled, releasing me from the hug. John exited the room, calling the servant to come help me. A woman appeared to help me undress and bath me.

After the bath and a new set of clothes, the servant redressed my wounds, making no comment on the scars but had a few wide eyed glances. She handed me the necklace with Kaeden's ring on it but I stared at it in my hand. He surely wouldn't take me back after all this. Hugh's hands that searched me. His body against mine. His lips that wondered the parts of my body that only loved Kaeden's touch. He'd cast me out like a whore in a brothel. I wanted to cast myself out.

I glanced in the mirror at my appearance. I looked physically unchanged from the night I got married. My face was finally clean and had returned to its pale and freckled tone. But the light, the spark of my eyes was gone. It evaporated with the burn for life that once resided in my heart.

The servant helped me down the stairs to the parlor where John sat close to the fire with a whiskey in one hand and a book in the other. My hair hung across my shoulders, damp from the bath. My skirts hung right above my shoes. The servant did me the service of not tightening the corset all the way, allowing my wounds and growing stomach room to breathe.

"Much better." He stated, peaking over his book. He cleared his hands of items before hurrying to my side. He offered his arm to me, guiding me towards the dining table.

"How'd you find me?" I asked finally, sitting in one of the chairs.

"Your family found Bonnet when he took your sister. He didn't give you up though. They found me and I used my sources. Bonnet didn't keep the sale completely hidden. I tracked the payment to a slave trader. After some threats, he confessed to selling you to Iverson. After some persuasion, Iverson allowed me to visit. Kaeden and Jamie told me you were pregnant so I didn't waste any time." He started explaining as he sat in a chair at the other end of the table.

"How long?" I asked, placing my hands in my lap, rubbing my stomach. I'd lost track of time on the estate.

"Two months." John's face lost all trace of happiness.