by Gwyn Brodie
With a battle cry, Kade charged the entrance, fighting off the blows dealt by the first guard, then slicing him across the throat and leaving him lying still on the ground. Several others hurried out to greet them in his place. With Galen beside him, Kade fought his way into the castle, amid the hissing of arrows flying at them from the ramparts. His own archers returned fire. A man screamed above him and a body thudded to the ground a few feet away. Knocking the sword from the hand of the last man guarding the entrance, Kade kicked it out of his reach. "Shaw, take him prisoner."
"Aye, laird."
Kade and Galen left the fighting outside and hastened into the great hall. Gordon MacRae sat beside the fire, a goblet of drink in his hand. Four men waited with him, two on either side, their swords drawn.
"The exterior of the castle is secure, laird," shouted Shaw from the entrance.
"Good work," Kade called over his shoulder, never taking his gaze from MacRae or his guards. "MacRae, my clansman you ordered beaten and killed, lives."
Gordon shrugged as if it meant naught to him. He drained the goblet of its contents and set it down. "I understand, MacLachlan, Lady Jillian took the lad to you. Why would she do that? The MacRaes and the MacLachlans have never been strong allies in the past."
Because she'd hoped he still loved her, which of course he had. He could've never turned her away no matter what. "As of yesterday," he said, his heart filled with pride, "she became my wife."
MacRae's smile quickly disappeared. "Your wife?" An evil grin slowly spread across his face. "I'd wager 'twas that sweet body of hers that persuaded you." He cocked his head sideways. "Not that I blame you, after sampling a taste of her lips myself. The feel of her shapely curves beneath my hands was almost more than I could bear."
The blood of an angry warrior pumped hot through Kade's veins. He took a step toward MacRae, hell bent on slicing him in half.
Galen stopped him. "He's trying to make you blind with rage, my friend. It'd be best to keep your head about you, so I may also keep mine."
Knowing what Galen spoke was truth, Kade slowed his breathing and forced himself to calm down. He grinned. "Aye, she has a sweet body, 'tis true. And grows sweeter each time she lies beneath me. She still slept, exhausted from our coupling, when I left Ravenskull this morning."
Gordon's expression clouded in anger.
It then became clear to Kade just how badly MacRae had wanted Jillian for himself. An icy chill crawled up his spine. Thank God she'd managed to escape him before he was able to use her for his own twisted needs. "Tell your men to throw down their weapons, MacRae. You heard it for yourself, the castle is secure."
Gordon threw back his head and laughed. "You're wrong, MacLachlan, if you think I intend to just let you stroll in here and take me." He turned to the four men surrounding him. "Kill them," he ordered.
Kade and Galen stood back to back, their blades held high, as they waited for MacRae's guards to make the first move.
They came at them from all sides.
His hand wrapped around the hilt, Galen swung his blade wide, sending one of them to the floor with a deep slash across the chest. He kicked the dying man's sword out of his reach and readied himself for the next attack.
Two guards rushed Kade at once. He dodged the first man's blow, but the second man's blade lightly grazed his shoulder. Ignoring the pain, Kade swung around, quickly drawing his blade down across the first man's ribs. Screaming with pain, the man dropped his blade and grabbed his side, blood dripping from his fingertips. He staggered backwards, fell to the floor, and lay there moaning.
The second man came at him again, bringing his blade down hard, scarcely missing Kade's chest. As he spun around to confront him, the man lying on the floor grabbed Kade's foot, causing him to lose his momentum and stagger backwards.
Just as the man was about to put his blade through Kade's back, Galen jumped between them, blocking the blow with his targe. "Stab a man in the back, would you?"
The man growled and swung his blade. Galen leapt out of his way. Swinging his broadsword around in front of him, his blade sliced across the combatant's throat. He fell to the floor writhing, then lay still.
Kade glared at the man on the floor who'd grabbed his ankle. "I should slit your throat, you bastard. Your actions nearly cost me my life."
Only one of MacRae's guards was left to stand against them. "'Tis finished," said Kade. "You can't escape. Even if you did manage to get past the two of us, Shaw would cut you down outside."
After glancing back and forth between the two men, the guard tossed his weapon onto the floor.
"Shaw," Kade shouted.
Shaw hurried into the great hall. "Aye," laird?"
"Throw any of MacRae's men who still live into the dungeon—'til I can decide what's to be done with them. Set free whoever is being held there."
"Aye," he nodded, and began rounding up the guards.
Kade turned to face MacRae. He had vanished. Curses fell from his mouth. "Shaw, leave the prisoners to someone else. MacRae has disappeared. Grab whatever men you can spare and search the castle. He couldn't have gone far." Kade clenched his teeth, angry at himself for allowing the swine to slip past during the battle. He realized that had been MacRae's intention all along.
Kade grasped Galen's shoulder. "Much thanks for what you did. If not for you, I'd be dead. There was no possible way I could've blocked his blade in my position. You saved my neck—again."
Galen smiled. "You ken you're always welcome. Let us go find MacRae."
Just then Roderick entered the great hall, his face battered and bruised. "Much thanks for our freedom, Laird MacLachlan."
"Och, you're welcome, Roderick. It appears your face met near the same fate as Sully's."
Roderick let out a long breath, shaking his head. "From the dungeon, I heard them beating him. He never cried out. One of them said he was dead. Then I heard a splash. I assumed they'd thrown his body into the loch."
"They did. Sully somehow managed to almost make it back to Ravenskull, before we found him. He's a brave warrior, and lives still, or did when we left him."
Roderick nodded. "I'm much pleased to hear that. How does Lady Jillian fare?"
"She's now my wife. But since you were well aware of her coming to me for help, I'm certain you're not surprised to hear that bit of news."
Roderick only smiled.
"I assure you. The two of us are content together. My only regret is that it took so long for it to happen."
"I'm very happy for the both of you. Jillian is a wonderful lass, with at big heart."
"Aye, that she is." Just thinking of her being his wife sent a wave of desire rushing over him.
An older woman hurried over to them, wringing her hands. "Are Lady Jillian and the wee lad well, m'laird?"
Kade smiled. "You must be Winnie. Jillian speaks highly of you. They both are well."
"Winnie," said Roderick, "our Jillian is now Laird MacLachlan's wife."
"Och, you don't say," she said, bringing her hand to her mouth. "'Tis about time the lass found some happiness for herself." She wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye.
Kade smiled. Jillian could never be any happier than she'd made him. "As for the lad, every time I see him, he either has a tart in his hand or one smeared all over his face."
Winnie chuckled. "It surely makes my old heart dance to hear such things."
"M'laird, we've searched everywhere. MacRae's not in the castle," shouted Shaw from the upper floor.
Kade turned to Roderick. "Show me Jillian's bedchamber."
"Aye, laird."
Kade followed him to her room. "Do you ken how Jillian got into the tunnels?"
"Nay, not exactly. I do ken that the panel is located somewhere near the fireplace."
Kade took a quick moment to look around her room. Everything in it whispered her name, from the tapestry hanging on the wall, the emerald gown tossed over a chest, to the rose scent that permeated the room. Even though it'd
been less than a day since he awoke with her nestled against him, her head resting on his arm, he missed her and could hardly wait to be with her again.
Galen joined them, and the three were soon on their knees, searching each and every stone near and around the fireplace. After several minutes, Kade located the latch and the panel swung open. He lit a candle and stepped into the tunnel. "Look there." He pointed. The trail of a man's boot tracks showed clearly in the dust. "This is not only the way Jillian escaped, Galen, but also MacRae." He came back into the bedchamber. "I'll leave Shaw in charge here. You and I are going after MacRae. Roderick, where is the exit to these tunnels?"
"Directly behind the castle, past the gate in the curtain wall, near the wood. In fact, that's where I left Jillian's horse the night she left."
Kade lowered his brows. "That's also where we left the horses with Donald. If MacRae steals a horse, he'll be hard to catch. We've no more time to waste."
After shouting instructions to Shaw, Kade and Galen raced across the dark bailey, through the postern gate and up the hill to the horses. Donald leaned against a tree, a small gash across his forehead.
"Donald, are you badly injured?"
"Nay, laird. I'm not."
"What happened?"
"I heard a noise and went to check the horses. A man was trying to get onto Caesar, but the horse refused to allow it. I shouted for him to get away from the horses. He pulled out his blade and we fought. I managed to disarm him and pinned him beneath me on the ground, when he grabbed up a stone and struck me on the head. I must have blacked out for a couple of minutes. For when I opened my eyes, he was gone. I checked the horses. 'Twas Shaw's black mare he ended up taking."
Kade shook his head. "Shaw won't be pleased to hear that. Go down to Lochstorm, Donald, and ask for Roderick. Tell him I said to take you to see their healer. Send one of the others to keep an eye on the horses."
"Aye, laird," Donald said, already heading toward the castle.
Kade and Galen searched around in the dark for a sign that might point them in the direction MacRae had gone. A sliver of fear suddenly stabbed Kade through the heart. "Galen, we must return to Ravenskull at once. I've a bad feeling MacRae has gone after Jillian."
Chapter Twelve
Jillian looked up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. A full moon illuminated the road to Lochstorm, making their pace quicker than it might have been otherwise. Since leaving Ravenskull that morning, Will had hardly said a word to her, even when they'd stopped to rest the horses earlier and eat some of the food Jillian had brought along.
She knew he wasn't too happy to be going with her. She also knew that his laird wouldn't be too happy with either of them—especially her, once he found out she'd practically forced Will to go with her. Jillian had to see her people to let them ken she hadn't forgotten them. She'd wanted to be beside Kade when they entered the keep, but 'twas too late for that now. Most of all, she'd wanted to see the look on Gordon's face, when he learned of her marriage to Kade.
She felt certain that by now Gordon had been defeated by the MacLachlans and had either been killed or taken prisoner and tossed into the dungeon. Jillian had that much faith in Kade's abilities.
She prayed he'd received no injuries, nor had any of his men. 'Twas true that many men lost their lives during battles between clans, but 'twas also true that Kade was a Highland warrior, in every sense of the word.
"M'lady, mayhap we should rest the horses for a spell," Will said, bringing his horse to a halt.
Jillian did the same, patting Bonnie on the neck. "Will, are you wed?"
"Nay, but I have a lass. Her name is Mary. We're to be married next month."
"Then I must provide the two of you with a fine wedding gift."
"Much thanks."
"I shouldn't have forced you to come with me."
"Och, the laird would've skinned me alive if I'd allowed you to leave Ravenskull alone."
"Much thanks, anyway."
He slid off his horse, and helped her down. "I hear water nearby. Now would be a good time to give the horses a drink."
Leading Bonnie, she followed Will down the short slope to the stream. She unwrapped the remainder of the food she'd brought along. "Have more food. I still have plenty left," she said, handing him a bannock.
"Much thanks, m'lady. I was beginning to get hungry."
They ate whilst they waited for the horses to drink their fill, then began to make their way back up the slope to the road.
Will suddenly stopped. "Don't move." He whispered. "There's a horse and rider coming this way."
Jillian stood perfectly still beside Bonnie, as she waited for them to pass. As the rider drew near to them, their horse let out a whinny and her mare answered it. Jillian quickly capped her hand over Bonnie's nose and held her breath, hoping they'd not been found out. The rider's horse suddenly came to a halt, and she heard the swoosh of a weapon being quickly drawn. Icy fear twisted around her heart. Moonlight glinted off of steel, as Will slowly pulled out his own sword.
"Show yourself, whoever you are," called out a voice that sounded vaguely familiar.
Neither of them moved.
The rider urged his horse closer. Against the moonlit sky, Jillian saw the outline of his weapon, raised for battle, and began to shake. She reached inside her bodice and slipped her sgian dubh from its sheath, tightly wrapping her fingers around the hilt.
With a battle cry, Will rushed the rider. With him on the ground and the other man on horseback, Jillian knew he had next to no advantage. She knew his intent was to protect her.
Jillian closed her eyes, praying, as she listened to the two men doing battle above her. Then all became silent. She huddled against the grassy bank, trembling. Tears ran down her cheeks. Will was more than likely dead, and 'twas her doing.
The rider's feet struck the ground. "I ken there's someone else there, for I caught the eye shine of two horses. I also ken you're either a child or a female. Otherwise, your friend here wouldn't have come at me alone. Come out now, or I'll come get you."
Jillian stayed put.
"He's still alive, but if you don't come out, I'm going to slit his throat. If you doubt my word, listen closely."
"Nay," Jillian screamed, quickly slipping her sgian dubh back into its sheath, before she climbed up to the road, bringing Bonnie with her. "Leave him be."
"Well, well, it seems that my luck may have changed."
Jillian gasped. No wonder his voice had sounded familiar. 'Twas Gordon. "I-I-I…. thought," she stammered, backing away.
"You thought what? That your new husband had taken care of me? When I left him, he was surrounded by four of my best men. Who kens? You could even be a widow by now."
She shook her head, fighting back the fear that threatened to render her completely helpless. "Nay, he's a skilled and seasoned warrior. He still lives. I ken this."
"Perhaps he does, but as you can see, I managed to escape capture. In fact, 'twas you who helped me."
"How did I help you?" She had no inkling of what he spoke.
"After I learned of your escape, I searched every inch of your room, 'til I found the way you'd gotten out. I told no one of what I learned. And when the right time came, I made use of my knowledge. I've been on my way to Ravenskull ever since."
She was confused. "Why would you go to Ravenskull? You surely ken that you'd soon be captured there."
"Och, to find you, of course. I'm taking you with me."
Fear washed over Jillian and her body shook. "Why would you want to do that?"
"There are many reasons, but the first and foremost is revenge. Under pretense, you taunted me with your body and then left me, knowing how badly I wanted you for myself. MacLachlan bragged about how sweet you were lying beneath him. It angered me greatly. I wonder how he'll feel when he learns I've had you, which I plan on doing very soon. And you not only wed, but persuaded MacLachlan to reclaim Lochstorm on your brother's behalf, leaving me with but the remainder of
my dead wife's wealth on which to live. The title I've dreamt all my life of holding is gone, because of you and that cursed savage."
At the mention of Kade, she almost burst into tears. How she wished this was a bad dream and that she was lying safely in his arms back at Ravenskull. She glanced over at Will, who had yet to move. "I must see to his injuries," she said, taking a step toward him.
Gordon roughly grabbed her arm. "Never mind him. He's most likely already dead. We must leave here. If MacLachlan yet lives, he'll not be far behind. And I'm certain by now he's figured out that when I left Lochstorm, I headed for Ravenskull to get you."
She tried to pull away, but he held on tightly to her arm. "I'm not going anywhere with you," she said, kicking him in the shins and striking him across the face with her free hand.
Seemingly ignoring the pain she inflicted on him, he chuckled, a deep, evil sound. "You will," he said through clenched teeth, or I'll make good on my earlier promise and slit the man's throat." He said, dragging her to her horse. "Get on," he ordered, keeping a tight hold on the reins.
After forcing Jillian upon her horse, he made the mistake of turning his back on her. She grabbed her sgian dubh and buried the blade into his shoulder, quickly pulling it out.
He yelped with pain and grabbed her hand that still held her weapon. She refused to let go and fought him, then he twisted her arm 'til she thought 'twould surely break. Her fingers opened of their own accord, sending her only weapon to the ground.
"You bitch. Do something like that again," Gordon growled, "and I'll not hesitate to slit your throat as well." He tore off a piece of his shirt and stuffed it over the wound. "Should I slit his throat, just to prove my point? If he's not already dead, he'll certainly be then."