Unbreakable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 2)

by Griffin, Kara

  Near the end of the corridor, they passed a room with an open door. Five men sat within around a table. They caroused and jested, their voices boisterous. One of the men looked up and noticed Gilroy.

  “Come, lad, I bid you to refill our tankards.”

  Gilroy gave her a quick glance and entered. Makenna hurried past the door and waited for him on the other side. She peeked inside and listed, hopeful Gilroy wouldn’t be detained.

  “Be quick about it, lad, my cup is empty,” another bellowed.

  Gilroy found a barrel and refilled their tankards. The men seemed far gone with drink and slurred their words. She winced when Gilroy lifted a set of keys from the commander. He had the keys securely tucked and refilled their cups again.

  The men lifted their tankards and boasted their happiness over King Edward’s death.

  “If that be all, m’lords?” Gilroy waited for them to give him leave.

  “Och ye be wanting to celebrate too. Be off, ye scallywag.”

  He fled the chamber and ran to the door at the end of the long winding hall. Makenna made certain to remember where they’d turned so they could find their way back. Gilroy used three keys before he found the right one. Inside the dark room, they couldn’t make anything out.

  “I will search. Await here, m’lady.”

  She wouldn’t be left behind. Makenna took a torch from the wall and entered the chamber. She moved the flame around and spotted a body lying on the floor near the far wall. The sight of him caused her knees to buckle and she knelt next to him. Using the light, she leaned forward to ensure it was Liam. Her breath ceased at the sight of his swollen face. “’Tis Liam. Help me lift him for he’s been hurt.”

  Gilroy groaned. “Hurt, m’lady? He’s been beaten to nary a breath of his life.”

  They sat Liam up and he groaned. Makenna could have cried at his condition and yet he wasn’t dead. That was something to be thankful for. “Liam, we are here to rescue you. Can you stand? Help us, my love.”

  His words jumbled and she couldn’t understand what he said. “We need to go, Gilroy. We’ll have to carry him.” Liam, barely able to stand, pitched forward and Gilroy kept him from falling.

  Makenna placed the torch in an empty stand and started off toward the door with Liam betwixt her and Gilroy. He was heavy and unable to assist them, which made it more difficult. They practically dragged him along. As they trudged back the way they came, Gilroy stopped.

  “I cannot go on, m’lady. Let us rest a moment.”

  Makenna leaned against the wall and the nearby torch lit upon Liam’s face. He was almost unrecognizable. She withheld a sob and remorse filled her heart. There was no time to ponder her fault at his injuries, but her heart hurt seeing him in such a decrepit state.

  A door nearby banged and startled them. Two soldiers appeared, but they didn’t notice them crouched by the shadowed inset of the wall.

  “We’ll just sneak a wee bit of ale and get back to the wall.”

  His partner laughed. “I don’t know why we even bother. No one’s going to attack us for the English are burying their king.”

  “They have more worries at present than attacking us.”

  They continued on and disappeared around a corner.

  “Do you deem that door leads to the outside?”

  “Stay here and I’ll check.” Gilroy sprinted to the door, tried it, and nodded. He returned and took hold of Liam’s body and helped her heft him upward. They once again drug/walked him forward and made it through the door.

  Makenna was relieved to be outside in the fresh air. How awful that place smelled. She realized they would need to distract the gatekeepers or they’d never be able to abscond to the safety of the woods.

  Gilroy must’ve thought the same thing. He said, “Wait here. I will get them to leave.”

  “How do you plan to do that?”

  He grinned. “The entire keep is celebrating. They’ll want to be included.”

  She held onto Liam, content that he was breathing. Yet he was too heavy for her to hold and he slouched forward. She held him tightly, keeping up from hitting the ground. Gilroy reached the guard and pretended to retrieve a bucket.

  “Hail guards.” He lifted the bucket. “They just opened a fresh barrel. You should hasten if ye be wanting some. I plan to get me some.” He whistled as if he was gleeful and slowly walked forward.

  The guard fled past him and left their post at the gate.

  When Gilroy returned to her, he cast the bucket aside and helped her gather Liam, and they drug/carried him toward safety. By the time they reached the woods, they were out of breath and exerted. Liam seemed to grow heavier as each minute passed.

  Makenna wouldn’t allow Gilroy to stop. “We must go on. Someone is bound to notice he’s missing. They’ll send the entire keep searching for him.”

  “I need to rest a moment, and then we’ll move on.” He slunk to the ground and Liam’s body went with him, his dead weight practically crushing the lad.

  The sound of horses came and Makenna yanked her cloak from her shoulders. She used it to cover Liam should the riders be the keep’s guard. The fear at being found when they were so close to saving Liam brought forth a panic and her chest thronged with a heavy beat. Her breath quickened.

  “Ah, there she is.” The black-haired devil rode toward her with Graeme and the others behind him. “I told ye she wouldn’t get far.”

  Graeme dismounted and approached. “Tell me you were not planning to go in there by yourself.”

  “I was. Before you get angry, Graeme—”

  “Angry? Lass, do you ken if anything befalls you Liam would likely kill me. We will figure out a way to get him out of there.”

  “But—”

  “I will hear no arguments, Makenna. Do not be as stubborn as a Kincaid and take heart, Liam is as good as saved. James and I are going in and we will—”

  Makenna scowled for the man wouldn’t let her get a word in. “Liam is saved. He’s right here.” She tugged the cloak from him. “He’s been beaten and hasn’t come to.”

  The men stepped forward, their gazes astonished, their mouths agape.

  “I was able to get in. Aye, a mere woman with the help of a lad. The keep’s soldiers are celebrating the English king’s death and all were sodden.”

  Brodin grumbled something which she couldn’t discern. “Here, Heath, you were right. She was able to get inside and get to Liam.” He tossed a coin to his friend.

  Heath caught the coin and laughed. “I told you she was skilled and would free Liam.”

  “Gilroy, dare you encouraged Makenna? What say you?” Graeme pressed in on the lad and appeared to want to throttle him.

  “Nay, I was trying to ensure she was safe. M’Lady would’ve gone inside with or without me. I figured I’d protect her the best I could.”

  Graeme stood down. “At least you were able to bring Liam out.”

  James chuckled. “Well now, mayhap we misjudged you, lass.”

  “Indeed,” she said, becoming cross at their banter. “Can we please get him out of here before the guard sounds the alarm?”

  Graeme bade Brodin and Heath carry Liam to the horses. Brodin mounted his and pulled Liam upon his lap. Once everyone was mounted, they set off to the abbey.

  None spoke and Makenna was too worried about Liam’s well-being to voice any objections when they rode faster than they should. She prayed her husband would mend. Who knew what the horrid men did to him? By nightfall, she worried herself into a frantic state when he didn’t come to or make any movement. She daren’t rest until he was tended to.

  A new day dawned by the time they reached the trail toward Dumfries. They didn’t stop to rest and ate their morning fare upon the horses.

  “Robert is going to be wrath when he finds Liam gone. You ken the rumors and tales will spread wide now for none saw him leave or know how he was able to escape. I want to see the king’s face when he’s told the news.” James flashed a grin at her.


  “Send us news when you can, for I’ll be as interested to know Robert’s reaction.” Graeme tilted his head in a goodbye.

  “Farewell, my friends.” James rode off in a different direction.

  Makenna tried to gaze upon Liam’s face to ascertain if he was conscious, but from what she could tell his expression hadn’t changed.

  Toward morning they reached the abbey and Friar Hemm had settled them within minutes. Liam was taken to the infirmary where he’d be looked after by the monks and nuns. None were permitted in the chamber and Makenna paced the hall outside the door.

  She couldn’t take waiting for word of his injuries and found herself inside the chapel. The weight of the situation finally hit her, and she fell to her knees and wept before the alter. How could she lose Liam now when she only realized how much she loved him?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  After nearly three days, Liam continued to succumb to his injuries. Makenna despaired and begged Graeme to find a healer. The monks and nuns were of little help. They did what they could, but didn’t have medicinals that many healers had. Most practiced a more ancient method of healing and some healers used herbs the religious folk abhorred. Each day that passed brought more woe than she could bear and Graeme finally conceded.

  They took Liam home to the caves where Annag would tend to him until Graeme could fetch Gwenol, a renowned healer who they were associated with.

  Makena’s heart eased at being home, but she kept vigil by Liam’s side. Annag wiped him with a cool cloth and tisked under her breath.

  “He burns with heat. The friar did a fine job at setting his arm.” Annag wiped his face. “I fear a blight has settled within him. There’s naught much I can do about that. Mayhap Gwenol will have a remedy when she comes.”

  “I do hope she hurries.”

  Liam made no movement. Makenna held back tears. She nodded absently at the aged-woman’s remarks. She recalled the many wounds the friar accounted. Liam had a broken arm, numerous bruises and cuts on his body, some of which festered.

  She picked up a cloth and helped Annag keep Liam cool. It didn’t help matters that the air grew warm. The late summer day brought misery to all with the heaviness that clung in the air.

  “Do you know this healer Gwenol? Will she be able to help Liam?”

  Annag smiled slightly. “Aye, I do.” She told her how the woman saved Kerrigan when she’d almost drowned. The old woman had faith in the healer and so Makenna decided to trust her.

  They finished wiping Liam down and Annag covered him. “We’ll leave him be for a bit. I shall return with food for you haven’t eaten all day.” She left the room.

  Darcy stood at the threshold. “Annag told Kerrigan that da is going to die. Is he?”

  Her wee woebegone voice startled her.

  “No, sweet. He’s just resting.” She lifted the child and hugged her close.

  “Will he ever wake?”

  Makenna had to be honest. If he didn’t wake, she didn’t want the child to think she’d told her a falsehood. “I don’t know if he will. He is hurt and may not. We must pray that he does.”

  Darcy sniffled and nodded. “He loves us and won’t stay sleeping.”

  “I hope you are right, sweet. I hope so.”

  *****

  Sounds came, soft gentle women’s voices. The voices faded. Was his mind tricking him? Liam wouldn’t open his eyes and be disappointed for he knew he was in the dungeon awaiting the noose or mayhap the ax. He breathed deep and realized he wasn’t in the dungeon. The scents that wafted to him were of home, of the caves, and not the pungent smell of death of the dungeons.

  He opened his eyes and could’ve wept at the sight of the high cavern above. Within seconds, he took notice of his pains and aches and discerned he wasn’t hurt too badly. They’d gotten to him in time. But how? He’d been rescued, saved from the unfortunate and untimely death.

  Alone in the cave, he waited for someone to come. He wasn’t about to test his strength to see if he could move or walk yet, mainly because he was too content and elated to be home.

  Of all the people he expected to see, he didn’t deem Gwenol to be one of them. The grim realization came for he must be far worse off than he thought. If his friends called for the renowned healer, he must have been or must be close to death.

  “Oh my sweet man, you are finally awake. Many worry for you. Your malady had ye ensnared for days, but I wouldn’t let it take ye.”

  “Gwenol, I want to say it is good to see you, but I’m not certain that would be a truth.”

  She bellowed a HA. “You are out of danger for the heat that purged ye is gone and all the pestilence subsided. Your wounds heal with the salve I put on them.”

  Graeme entered the cave and stopped on his heels. “You’re not dead.”

  “I don’t believe I am. I must have you to thank for saving me from the king’s noose?”

  “Not precisely.”

  Liam rubbed his whiskered face. He was about to ask what Graeme meant by that, but Brodin and Heath entered.

  Brodin handed him his medallion. “I wanted to return this to you.”

  He held it tightly and suspected the object was a great aid in his rescue. Liam wanted to thank James’ lad properly for he’d delivered his message as he’d hoped.

  Heath set a hand on his shoulder. “I am pleased to see you, comrade.”

  “I’m happy to see you, all of you. Thank you for coming to my aid. I was unwise to get captured in Stirling …” He grew abashed by his inability to go covert and not get caught.

  Brodin shook his head. “We didn’t come to your aid.”

  Gwenol handed him a cup. “Drink this down, sweet man. It will soothe your throat.”

  He shook his head unwilling to be lulled to sleep by her concoction.

  She scoffed at his objection of medicinals. “‘Tis but honey and herbs, and is naught but a tasty drink. Aye, ye be so untrusting.”

  He lifted the cup and drank. Makenna entered the chamber, and he choked on the liquid. Before he could clear his throat, Gwenol shooed them from the cave.

  “You need to rest. All of you must leave or you’ll undo my tender care. I will come soon and check your wounds.” Gwenol busied herself, but kept giving scowling glances at his comrades.

  Liam nodded even though he hadn’t heard a word Gwenol said. He couldn’t take his eyes from Makenna and was surprised she was there. Last he recalled she’d left with her uncle and he reasoned he’d have to go to Mackenzie lands and drag her back. She stood afar watching him with tears in her eyes.

  Graeme leaned close. “We didn’t rescue you, Liam. She did.” He tilted his head toward Makenna and grinned. He followed the others from the cave, leaving him alone with his wife.

  After all left, an awkward silence sat between them. He waved her forward, words caught in his throat. Questions swarmed his mind, but none mattered for all he wanted to do was gaze upon her bonny face.

  Her steps lingered, and she didn’t move fast enough for him. When she reached the side of the bed, he took her hand and pulled her to sit next to him. Liam reached out and smeared a tear that trickled on her lovely cheek.

  “Makenna, why are you crying?”

  She sniffled before answering, “Because you are well, truly. I worried.”

  “You always worry. From the way you’re looking at me, I must look gruesome.”

  She wiped her eyes. “Even with the cuts and bruises, you are the most handsome man I’ve ever beheld.”

  “I …” He had no idea what to say, where to begin. “I want to apologize.”

  “There’s no need. We both have much to apologize for. What have you to be sorry for?” Her voice lowered, and he barely heard the last of the words.

  “Many things, my love. For taking away your right to kill Hawksberry. I never should’ve agreed with the condition to teach you to use a sword. It was wrong of me to mislead you, and the only defense I have is that I … I couldn’t risk losing you. You scare
d me because you were fearless in your quest and I thought he would kill you. Makenna, I don’t want to live without you.”

  “Oh, Liam, I—”

  “I want to tell you I’m sorry for taking so long to tell you that I love you. Don’t weep, love. I never want to hurt you.”

  She pressed her hand on his face and he winced at the slight sting.

  “You love me as well, do you not, wife?”

  “I do love you, Liam.” She caressed his face with a gentle stroke of her fingers. “I should never have let my quest for vengeance come between us. I regret that. If not for my foolishness, the king wouldn’t have found you.”

  Liam took her hand and held it tightly. “Nay, I was the foolish one and once you left the chamber I confronted Hawksberry. He wasn’t much of an adversary, but then after I dispatched him, I was thirsty and drank from a goblet in the chamber. I didn’t consider it’d be poisoned.”

  Makenna gasped. “Oh my. I hold guilt for that too.” She shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. “You see, I poisoned Hawksberry’s drink hoping it would give me a better chance at striking him unawares. Only he didn’t drink it and then … you entered and bid me to leave.”

  He laughed lightly. “Done in by your cleverness. Take heart, lass, I’m still alive.”

  “It wouldn’t have killed you, but I suppose it put you in a dreadful position?”

  “Aye, but at least Hawksberry is dead. It matters not that I was found by the king. You came and rescued me.” He tugged her hand and pulled her close. He wanted to feel her body next to his, to revel in the softness that was Makenna.

  “Liam, there’s one matter I need to speak of …”

  He gentled a hand on her shoulder. “What is it?”

  “I do love you, but I will not share you. If you want to have a life with me, your mistress must go. I heard of your liaison with her when you were younger.”

  Liam scowled, uncertain he heard her correctly. “What mistress? I have no mistress.”

  “Lady Lennox. You said you took her home. I took that to mean she is residing on your family’s lands. If we are to share our lives, she must leave—”