Plead Forgiveness: Betrayed Twice (Loyalty Series)

by Dobsyn, Aury

  Ella heard the whispering waves crashing against the shore an hour later. She gasped at the sight of the rowboats gliding from the anchored ship. Noticing Baron Montgomery seated in the first boat, she cringed as a flash of wild grief and intense loneliness ripped through her.

  The men around her dismounted and pulled her through the woody terrain that outlined the beach. A short jump, two ell in length, is all that separated them from the beach. One by one, each man jumped down to the beach. Ella remained rooted to the ground and alongside the man who held the rope tied to her neck.

  On the beach, one of the foul soldiers called out, “Might as well untie her hands, but throw down her leash first.” His comment ended with an evil snicker.

  Ella winced as the man facing her back roughly untied her hands. He then threw the end of the rope secured around her neck to his comrade, who eagerly waited to yank her over the edge.

  Suddenly, the man behind her let out a short gasp. Turning quickly, she saw him fall to his knees. When he crashed face down into the dirt, Ella’s eyes widened at the sight of two arrows protruding from his back.

  With haste, she grabbed the dagger from his hand and sliced through the rope around her neck. The man below jerked hard on the rope, only to fall on his backside an instant later.

  One of her captors jumped up and grabbed her ankle, and then pulled her foot from beneath her. When she hit the earthen floor, the dagger flew from her hands. Ignoring the weapon, she frantically clawed at the ground as the soldier yanked her from the small cliff. Before going over the edge, she looked and saw Arth racing towards her, baring his teeth.

  Once Ella made contact with the sandy ground, the burly man spun her around, and then raised his fist. The feral sound of a snarling beast rippled through the air. Her eyes darted upwards at the precise moment Arth lunged from the cliff and onto her attacker. The massive weight of the large animal tumbled both her and the soldier to the ground. She then witnessed how truly ferocious and supremely wolf Arth was when protecting someone he loved.

  His deadly teeth sank into the flesh of her attacker’s neck, quickly cutting off the man’s pain-filled cries. With his jaws locked on the soldier’s throat, the faithful animal then shook his blood-covered muzzle from side to side, finishing the kill.

  Unaware of the droplets of blood hitting her face, Ella scrambling to her knees to watch the brutal death. The unmistakable sound of someone unsheathing a sword drew her attention. When she turned, she saw a soldier running with his weapon raised high in the air. He intended to strike down the animal she loved, the one who had savagely killed his comrade.

  “NAE,” Ella screamed, springing to her feet. She lunged toward the threat, grabbing his forearms to prevent the downward plunge of the sword. The man suddenly toppled over, and for a brief moment, Ella believed her strength felled him. She then realized Arth had unintentionally slammed into her back while trying to attack the soldier. The powerful impact sent them all to the ground, and instantly the animal’s jaws sank into the exposed throat of the soldier. Without a shred of fear, Ella held his arms above his head and away from Arth. Aiding the beast in his kill sent exhilaration coursing through her body. The joy in the shared victory made her feel safe and wanted. At least Arth loves me.

  Her thoughts drastically change as she struggled to her knees. Gazing out over the long stretch of beach, the shock of discovery hit her full force.

  Macleod warriors leapt the short distance off the cliff, pouring onto the beach below and brutally attacking Baron Montgomery’s men. She first spotted Nicholas and Osgood slaying the English, one right after the other. While searching for Gavin, she glimpsed a large, but unfamiliar Macleod warrior fighting a few paces away. He limped slightly, she noticed, and then her jaw dropped. My God, it is Ualan. He is here, fighting alongside the Macleods.

  The blackguard surrounded Ella as they surveyed, with absolute faith and utter satisfaction, Gavin battling Baron Montgomery a short distance away. In contrast and with immeasurable trepidation, Ella watched, riveted by her husband’s confident, deft movements as he fought the deadly adversary.

  Instead of parrying, Gavin evaded Baron Montgomery’s attack with quick diagonal or side steps, while simultaneously studying his opponent’s aggressive moves.

  Hearing Roger’s heavy breathing, Ella realized that Gavin’s patient method of combat gave him the advantage. Yet, despite his excursion, Baron Montgomery continued to attack with ruthless determination.

  The sound of metal on metal soon rang out each time Gavin or Baron Montgomery parried the other’s blade, signifying the change in battle tactics. Ella discovered why her husband was so widely feared. The savage glint in his eye coupled with the speed, dexterity, and strength of each rigorous move would inspire terror in any man. After parrying, Gavin countered with a series of quick, but powerful horizontal cuts, effectively sending Baron Montgomery into a defensive retreat.

  Realizing his danger of losing, Baron Montgomery resorted to treachery in hopes of gaining the upper hand. He used the pretense of stumbling, and then threw a handful of sand at his opponent.

  When Ella saw her husband, completely disoriented, wiping his eyes to clear his vision, she instantly leapt to her feet and tried to rush to his defense.

  Seeing her intent, Edric wrapped his arm around her waist, effectively halting her efforts.

  Ella’s cries fueled the fire raging inside Gavin, unfortunately, his blurred vision forced him to act in defense. Hearing the hiss of a sword cutting through the air, he bounded backwards, and then felt a slight gust of wind as Roger’s blade narrowly missed his face.

  Baron Montgomery took advantage of Laird Macleod’s blinding state by striking blow after blow, and then with the flick of his wrist, sent his opponent’s sword flying through the air, landing with a splash in the water.

  Although risky, Gavin allowed himself to be disarmed, which gave him the needed time to wash the residue from his eyes. With his vision clear, he quickly saw Baron Montgomery open himself up, showing confidence that he believed he won the battle.

  Gavin ducked under the diagonal slash of Roger’s sword, and then grabbed his dagger and throwing axe. He lunged forward, remaining in close proximity to his enemy. By doing this, Baron Montgomery could not fully wield his sword.

  Roger backed away in defense, parrying the mighty laird’s continuous swings of the dagger and axe. Sweat rolled down his face, and he began gasping for breath. His feet felt heavy in the sand, and he knew one wrong move would result in death.

  Images of Ella and Paen swam through Gavin’s mind as he attacked Baron Montgomery. Knowing the pain this man had inflicted on his wife and brother, he became mindless to all but his wrath.

  Roger suddenly leapt backwards, and with the distance that gained him, he thrust sword toward his opponent’s midsection. Time slowed as he watched Macleod’s axe deflect his blade, and then to his horror, a dagger sliced through his forearm. His eyes widened at the sight of his sword and decapitated right hand fall to the sandy beach. He dropped to his knees in immense pain.

  Trying to staunch the bleeding with his other hand, Baron Montgomery looked up at Gavin and spat, “You may kill me, but your death will follow shortly thereafter. I have over fifty men on that ship, and they will kill you as well as that bastard brother of yours. Paen always was a coward-”

  The highland laird abruptly ended Baron Montgomery’s tirade by grabbing his hair and moving to the side to give him a clear view of the ocean.

  Gavin roared, “Are ye speaking of that ship, and that brother?”

  While blood seeped from his severed hand, Roger took in the sight of Paen and other Macleod warriors aboard his ship. They threw some of his men overboard, others they tied to the mast. The moment before his life ended, he saw soul wrenching defeat.

  Gavin plunged his dagger into Roger’s heart, fulfilling the vow he made to Ella. Turning away from Baron Montgomery’s lifeless body, Gavin searched for his wife. He found her surrounded by his men
, kneeling beside Arth with blood and tears running down her beautiful face. Dropping his weapons, he went to her.

  Ella stood on shaky legs, and then limped towards him, unaware that he knew the truth.

  Fear glistened in her eyes as she hobbled over to him. Dear God, does she nae ken how much I love her, how much I need her.

  He embraced her, crushing her to his chest. With his eyes closed, he laid his cheek atop her head, and inhaled her familiar scent. She is where she belongs, safe and in my arms.

  “Isabel,” he whispered.

  “You know,” she cried, pulling away to look into his eyes. “You know that I am Isabel Mackenzie?”

  He brushed the hair from her face then stated, “Ye are Isabel Macleod, my wife.”

  Like at waterfall, tears fell from her eyes as he continued, “Ye were the victim of Baron Greystone’s revenge against yer father, and ye were nae responsible for yer mother’s death.”

  She bowed and shook her head, but Gavin lifted her chin and added, “Trust me when I say that ye were nae to blame. And that I love ye, will always love ye, little one. How could ye ever-”

  “You still love me?”

  His features suddenly turned serious. “My love for ye is beyond measure and without equal. I refuse to live without my wife. Ye are mine, as I am yours, now and always.”

  Ella wrapped her arms around him and cried, “I love you . . . love you so much.” Shielded by his body, enveloped in his warmth, she stood spellbound by the magnitude of his love, and her love for him.

  Gavin called out to his men. “Tell Alex Mackenzie that his daughter is safe and will arrive shortly.”

  “Nae! He . . I . . .” Panic laced her voice.

  “He loves ye,” Gavin affirmed, then cupped her innocent face. “He loves ye, and has been deceived for eight years believing ye were dead. He dinna write that missive.”

  “You know about . . .”

  “Aye, my love, I ken everything,” he paused, assessed her fragile emotional state, and then decided to reveal the miraculous discovery he had recently learned. “Ella, yer Aunt Eleanor and Uncle James are alive.”

  Gavin knew this would send her over the edge, which she proved a moment later.

  “Alive . . .” Her sobs of joy outweighed her tremendous fear, at least for the present.

  He held her close while she absorbed the revelation. Aware that Alex impatiently waited to reunite with his daughter, Gavin lifted her into the cradle of his arms and carried her away from the battle scene with the joyous blackguard following in his wake.

  When the Macleods were mounted, Gavin said to Ella, “Tis yer father’s right to explain all to ye, his beloved daughter.”

  “I’m . . .I’m terrified.”

  “I will be with ye, holding yer hand,” he stated, giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I will ne’er leave yer side.”

  Although she nodded, the thought of seeing her papa again sent sheer black fright sweeping through her.

  33

  Alex Mackenzie paced the length of the large tent set a short distance away from his castle, which at present, Philip of Greystone controlled. However, this temporary inconvenience is not why a thrill of frightened eagerness and raw emotion vibrated through his chest. Nae, his heightened anxiety derived from the anticipation of seeing his daughter again.

  When word came, informing Alex of her safety, he had immediately commanded his men to take back the Mackenzie fortress with explicit instruction to keep Baron Greystone alive. Once he saw his daughter, and held her in his arms, he would finish off the bastard who had kept her captive in hell for eight years.

  Not a patient man by nature, Alex continued to pace with his hands fisted behind his back. Apprehension knifed at his heart, thinking of all he needed to say to his precious youngest child.

  Alex startled, hearing the sound of approaching horses followed by his men announcing Laird Macleod’s arrival. His rigid body ceased to move as he stared at the entrance of the tent, waiting for her to enter.

  Ella tightened her grip on Gavin’s hand as he led her into an enormous tent. She instantly saw her father, a man she had not seen in eight long years, standing a few paces away.

  He stood tall and straight like a towering spruce. His blonde hair, now sprinkled with gray, remained thick and long. Despite a few creases around his eyes, his features had changed very little. At two score and five, he looked at least ten years younger. The ruggedly handsome face she remembered so vividly reflected pure astonishment. Silence loomed between them for what seemed like eternity, until something miraculous broke the tension. Ella saw his piercing blue eyes fill with tenderness and longing.

  Her powerful need for forgiveness replaced fear, guilt, and shame. She released Gavin’s hand, and then slowly walked over to her father. In a faint whisper, she cried, “Papa, please . . . please forgive me.”

  Alex Mackenzie’s heart broke, hearing those words. Just before his daughter fell to her knees, pleading for forgiveness, he enfolded her fragile body in his arms. He held his baby close, silently thanking God for bringing her back into his life.

  “Isabel . . . Bella, my precious angel. I love ye. I have ne’er stopped loving ye.” He closed his eyes, savoring the gift the good Lord granted him this day.

  He cupped her dirty, elfin face in his large hands, and then with loving eyes, took in the features that clearly marked her as Emma’s daughter. Those glade green eyes, sparkled with gold, were unmistakable and completely breathtaking. “Ye are a dream come true, my angel. Ye dinna ken how beautiful ye look to me. I have missed ye so much. The pain of losing ye . . .” He pulled her back into his arms, unable to continue, and cried for the second time in his adult life. The first time happened after he lost his wife and daughter. He cried now because he had a second chance.

  “Ye dinna kill yer mother,” he declared strongly. “I saw her afore. . . Trust me, she dinna die from an arrow wound.”

  “I love ye, Papa.”

  He gently rocked her as he absorbed those powerful words. Once he regained control of his raw emotions, he explained how and why Baron Greystone deceived them. Alex did not loosen his hold on her until he saw the man standing beside Gavin at the tent entrance.

  He kissed her forehead, and then turned her around as he said, “There is another who has great need to see ye.”

  Ella’s eyes widened, recognizing her brother at the opening of the tent.

  Guy stared, awestruck by the sight of her.

  “Bella . . . my wee Bella.”

  Guy’s eyes kindled with emotion he rarely displayed. They had an impenetrable bond, formed on the day of her birth and strengthened throughout her childhood. Although Hamon was closer in age to their sweet sister, Guy was the one who had shared an unbreakable connection to her. Family and friends had often remarked on their similar personalities, and that she was the female version and wee replica of him. That assessment always filled him with pride, as did the way she trailed after him. When he taught her to swim and do tricks on horseback, her fearless nature and unequivocal trust astonished him. In truth, it was her unwavering trust in him to keep her safe he remembered most. When he learned of her death, a part of him died with her, his baby sister.

  Unabashed by his eagerness, he rushed over and picked her up so her feet dangled in the air. Still small and delicate, but slightly taller, he acknowledged. He held her close, fearing she would disappear, and then said, “I have missed ye so much, Bella. And I have always, will always love ye, my wee Bella.”

  Her heart burst with emotion. “I love you. I love you so incredibly much. Remembering the moments I spent with you, the way you could always make me laugh or smile, filled my heart with joy. I thought you would hate me.”

  He slowly lowered her to the ground, and then cupped her face. Unleashed rage impaled him as he absorbed the impact of what she had suffered. He had never felt such intense emotion as he did at this moment.

  “Nae, sweet Bella. Ne’er are ye to think . . .We love ye s
o much and-”

  An unexpected commotion outside the tent halted Guy’s choked admission. Recognizing Keir’s bellow of outrage, he smiled and whispered, “I believe there is someone here to see ye, lass.”

  Ella bolted from tent, hearing her eldest brother.

  With the unwanted help of the men standing nearby, Keir dismounted and stumbled toward his father’s tent. Before reaching his destination, he saw her, and then prominently fell to his knees. She looked beautiful, captivating, and the spitting image of her mother.

  All the pain Keir felt instantly vanished when she fell to her knees and wrapped her slender arms around his neck. The way she cried in his arms reminded him of a similar scene from years ago.

  The moment Hamon had left to foster with other clans, his wee sister, blinded by tears, rushed into his embrace. He held her close then, as he did now.

  She continued to sob in his arms as other memories assailed him. Teaching her how to defend herself, wrestling with her in the great hall, and listening to her non-stop chatter came to mind. And her laughter! Dear God, her laughter could make the hardest warrior smile.

  “Bella, are ye hurt?”

  “Nae, but I have missed you so incredibly much. I love ye. . .so much.”

  Keir closed his eyes.“I love ye too, dear sister. Do ye nae ken how precious ye are to me?”

  He continued to speak, but not to her, “Thank ye, Lord. Thank ye for giving her back to us. I canna ever repay . . .” His voice broke and he cried his gratitude into her shoulder.

  A short time later, Ella assisted her eldest brother to stand. After a few steps toward the tent, they startled, hearing the thunderous sound of an approaching horse.

  “Bella! Bella!”

  Upon waking at Doran Castle, Hamon learned the truth about his sister. She had endured hell for eight years at Greystone as part of Philip’s revenge against their father. She had kept her identity a secret, even after Gavin kidnapped and married her. In addition, and only hours ago, she rescued all three of her brothers by sacrificing herself. After learning this, nothing mattered but seeing his Bella.