by Gwyn Brodie
At Kade approach, Jillian glanced past MacRae's shoulder and their gazes met. Her eyes widened. He gave her a quick smile to reassure her. He wiped the blood from his left eye and blinked, trying to focus. He quietly made his way toward them, praying he'd not alert MacRae to his presence. He staggered again, but kept going.
"'Tis no use to try and escape. I promise your death will be quick," MacRae told Jillian.
Kade slipped out his dirk and moved closer.
"What about those feelings you said you had for me, Gordon. All this time you've led me to believe that you wanted me."
MacRae chuckled. "Aye, I do, I do. Perhaps I should take a bit of pleasure before ridding myself of you. Take off you clothing. I want to see you wearing naught."
Anger and rage stabbed at Kade like sharp knives. He edged nearer. He almost had him within his reach.
Jillian began to slowly unlace her bodice. "Perhaps you'll change your mind and allow me to live."
Gordon chuckled. "We'll see, we'll see," he said, his head turned toward Jillian as she undressed. Then he glanced around and saw Kade coming up fast behind him. His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. MacRae readied his blade—Kade's missing broadsword—and glanced at his targe a few feet away. "I should've made certain you were dead before I left the loch," Gordon said, rushing at him.
Kade sidestepped MacRae, stabbing at him with his dirk as he went past. "I'm not that easy to get rid of, MacRae." With his targe as protection, he slashed at MacRae, cutting through the fabric of his doublet.
MacRae brought his sword down against his dirk, knocking it from his hand.
He slammed his targe against MacRae's chest sending him to his knees. Then before he was able to get to his feet, Kade grabbed him from behind. Catching hold of MacRae's hand that held his blade, they hit the ground hard. Kade slammed MacRae's hand down against the stones, flinging the sword away.
MacRae pinned him to the ground, and wrapped his hands around his throat.
Kade repeatedly struck him in the jaw with his fist, but MacRae refused to release him. Tearing at MacRae's fingers, Kade fought for air, fearing he might black out.
Jillian suddenly appeared behind MacRae then he yelped and rolled onto the ground. Kade's dirk hung limply from MacRae's back before it dropped to the ground. It hadn't gone deep enough to kill him, but 'twas enough to make him let go of Kade's throat.
Jillian helped Kade to his feet. He gasped for air and his neck was sore.
"Have a care, Kade," she said, her voice trembling.
He nodded, his breath still coming in gasps.
"You bitch," Gordon yelled. That'll be the last time you stab me," he said, coming toward her, his features distorted with fury.
Kade shoved Jillian behind him, protecting them both with his targe. If he had his broadsword, he'd make short work of the filthy cur, but it was his blade MacRae used against him.
"Jilly, take Caesar and get out of here," he shouted hoarsely, thwarting another blow from MacRae's blade with his targe.
She grabbed up Kade's dirk from the ground, before racing toward the horse.
MacRae headed after her and Kade leapt in front of him.
"She'll not get away from me, MacLachlan. After I finish you, I'll hunt her down—of that you can be certain," he said, swinging his blade, only to strike wood again.
Jillian climbed into the saddle, but instead of leaving, she came for him. "Kade," she yelled, bringing the horse around behind him.
With his targe, Kade forcefully slammed into MacRae's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Then he jumped up behind Jillian before MacRae had time to rally an attack.
She quickly handed Kade the reins and his dirk. He slipped the dirk into the sheath at his waist and kneed Caesar into a run. "Hold on," he yelled above the pounding of hoof beats. MacRae would have to fetch his horse—giving them a head start. But it wasn't long before the sound of another set of hoof beats reached them.
Jillian leaned past Kade and looked back. "He's coming fast upon us," she shouted.
"'Tis because his horse carries one rider and Caesar two. I'll jump off up ahead. You keep going, Jilly. Galen is somewhere between here and Ravenskull. Find him. He'll keep you safe."
Jillian gazed up at him. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Nay, I'll not leave you," she said, shaking her head.
Kade opened his mouth to say something—then closed it. If he forced her to leave him, she'd but return. And if he were dead—MacRae would have her in his clutches once again. He turned Caesar toward the coast—and a shortcut to Ravenskull. As they rode along the top of the cliffs, the salty sea air beat against them, and the waves rose and fell over the rocky beach below.
She peered behind them again. "He's gaining ground!"
He kneed Caesar to go faster—but the horse was already giving him all he had. Kade made a decision. He slowed the horse to a trot and handed the reins to Jillian. "Take these," he said. When she did, looking confused, he quickly jumped down and slapped Caesar on the rump, sending him off with Jillian still on his back. Aye, she'd return, he had no doubt. But he hoped that by then he'd have the upper hand. If he didn't—God help her.
A wave of dizziness washed over him then quickly disappeared. He clenched his teeth. If that should happen while he was fighting with MacRae—he was a dead man. With dirk and targe in hand, he gave a battle cry and raced back along the cliffs. He waved the targe wildly in front of MacRae's horse. It slid to a stop, squealing and rearing into the air.
MacRae fought to hold on, but was pitched to the ground. Free of the weight on her back, the mare took off in a run.
Kade rushed MacRae, his dirk held high. Thinking of the atrocities made against his wife and his clansmen fueled Kade's blood lust for MacRae.
MacRae quickly jumped to his feet and readied his sword.
A horse came up behind Kade. He didn't have to look around to ken that it was Jillian returning.
She stopped several yards away.
"You should have listened to me and kept going," he said, without looking at her.
"Nay, I could not."
"One of us is about to die and it won't be me," MacRae shouted, swinging his blade around.
Kade brought up his targe and countered the blow, at the same time slicing MacRae down the arm with his dirk.
MacRae yelped and dropped his sword.
They grappled for it, but it slipped over the cliff, clanging against the rocks as it fell. They quickly jumped to their feet, warily watching one another.
MacRae came at him, then suddenly dropped to the ground, kicking Kade's legs from beneath him.
Kade went down hard, but quickly rolled out of the way. As he got to his feet, MacRae kicked him in the ribs, sending him over the cliff's edge.
Chapter Fifteen
Kade clawed for something to hold on to as Jillian screamed above him. The toe of his boot found a crack in the rocks and he wedged it tightly inside. Holding on to a clump of the grasses growing along the edge, he tried to pull himself back up, but could find no leverage. Fear of what MacRae would do to Jillian shoved an icy splinter through his heart. There was naught he could do but hang there, powerless to help her—or himself. They were both at MacRae's twisted mercy. "Jilly, don't come any closer," he yelled up to her.
She was sobbing loudly. How he ached to hold her in his arms and comfort her.
"Stop," she screamed at MacRae. "Leave him be!"
From his position, Kade couldn't see what was happening, but he soon found out. MacRae knelt down in front of him and began to pound his knuckles with a stone.
Kade clenched his teeth against the unbearable pain, but refused to cry out. 'Twould only make it that much worse for Jilly. He held on, even when his hands became slick and wet with his own blood.
Jillian came as close as she dared, falling to her knees and screaming when she caught a glimpse of the damage MacRae was doing to Kade's hands. Then she tried to crawl to the edge.
"Nay, Jilly. Please get b
ack," he begged her.
MacRae chuckled. "Listen to him. It'll be your turn later," MacRae said, lifting the stone once again.
"You devil," she screamed, raking her nails down both sides of MacRae's face.
He knocked her hands away and slapped her across the face. "Damn you, wench. You must be in a hurry to die."
"Keep your filthy hands away from her, MacRae," Kade said, searching for a better hold, as sand slowly slipped from beneath his foot.
MacRae laughed. "How do you plan on stopping me, MacLachlan?"
Kade breathed a small sigh of relief as he wedged his boot into another crack in the rocks.
"If I kicked you away, I might also fall. Of course, I could slice off your hands—but then it wouldn't look much like an accident." He hit Kade's fingers again. "At least this way, it'll appear the injury happened as you fell." A stone struck MacRae on the side of the head and he yelped.
"I told you to get away from him," Jillian screamed at the top of her lungs.
A movement on the beach below caught Kade's attention. He looked down. 'Twas Galen. He'd left his horse and was making his way toward them on foot. Kade hoped he arrived in time to at least keep MacRae from killing Jilly.
"Hell's fire," shouted MacRae, tossing down the stone and getting to his feet. A string of curses poured from his mouth. "I'm sick and tired of you always getting in my way."
Kade used all of his strength to force himself up higher, until his eyes were at ground level. With a fearful heart, he watched as MacRae went after Jilly. "Run Jillian, run!" he shouted, hoping she'd listen to him just this once.
She ran, but MacRae caught her arm and backhanded her across the face. Kade winced.
Jillian shrieked and fell to the ground, wiping away a drop of blood from her lip.
"Stay put," MacRae said, pointing his finger at her. "I'm not finished with you yet."
Kade closed his eyes and shook his head. There was naught he could do to protect her. And he couldn't hold on for much longer. He could hardly feel his fingers. Once he was gone, Jillian would be next. Galen was her only hope.
MacRae moved back to Kade. "Keep your mouth shut, MacLachlan. Once I'm finished with her, she'll join you at the bottom of the cliff." He again picked up the stone.
Kade braced himself against the pain as MacRae stuck his fingers again. Galen quickly raced up the hill behind Jillian. Kade knew he didn't dare call out to her, for fear of alerting MacRae to his presence. Without any warning, she ran straight for MacRae.
"May you rot in hell, Gordon MacRae," she yelled, throwing herself against him.
He screamed as he fell, his body bouncing against the craggy rocks. Broken and twisted, he lay still on the beach below.
Kade watched in horror as Jillian lost her balance and swayed dangerously on the edge. He feared she'd meet the same fate as MacRae. "Jilly, get back," he shouted, powerless to help her.
"I'm falling," she screamed.
He quickly let go of the grass with one hand and swung out his arm, grabbing her as she fell and swinging her against him. Then he lost his footing.
Jillian clung to him as they slipped another foot down the side of the cliff, before Kade found a tiny ledge on which to wedge his foot. Beads of sweat popped out on his head. As he kept a tight grip on Jillian, the pain in his hands was excruciating.
Galen peered over the edge. "Kade, I'm here."
"Grab her, Galen—before we both fall.
She clung to him, sobbing. "I tried to save you. Now I may be the cause of your death."
"Shhh, lass." He pressed his lips against hers, tasting her tears.
Still weeping, she held up her arms to Galen.
He moved closer and grabbed her wrists, quickly lifting her to safety."I've got her, Kade."
Kade breathed a sigh of relief. Then the ledge fell away, sending him even further down the cliff. He searched for another footing—and found one—on a small outcropping of rock.
"Are you injured, Jillian?" Galen asked.
"But a few scratches, much thanks. Now we must see to Kade."
Galen again peered down. "Hold on a wee bit longer. We'll have your feet back on steady ground before you ken it."
"Galen," Kade said. "I'll never be able to repay you."
"You don't have to." Galen winced at the sight of Kade's battered and bloody fingers. "If we find a rope, do you think you could hold on to it?"
Kade quickly shook his head. "Nay, my fingers may be broken. I can't even feel most of them."
"Then we'll have to think of something else. I'll see if there's anything inside the crofter's hut we can use."
"Nay, Galen. We stayed there last night, and there's naught."
"Perhaps we could tear his other plaid into strips and tie them together," Jillian said. "We could make a loop for him to put his foot through. That way he'll not have to hold on to it with his hands."
"'Tis worth a try."
"Kade, it won't be long now," Jillian shouted."
"Just promise me you'll keep away from the edge, Jilly."
"I promise. Galen is almost finished with the rope.
Suddenly Galen was on his knees above him. He lowered the plaid rope down to Kade. "Slip your foot into the loop and wrap the rest around your forearms. Then Caesar will be able to pull you up. The other end is fastened to the saddle. Let me know when you're ready, Kade."
After securing his foot inside the loop, Kade wound the rope around his arms and held on. "I'm ready."
Galen called to Jillian. "Take Caesar forward one step at a time."
She spoke softly to the horse. "Good lad, easy now."
Sharp stones scrapped and tore at Kade's skin as the horse pulled him over them. But soon he was lying safely on the ground.
Jillian let go of Caesar and rushed to his side. She shoved back his hair and kissed his face. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I thought I was going to lose you and I couldn't bear it. I love you too much."
He'd come so close to losing her. He swallowed hard. "Och, lass, it looks like you've got me a wee bit longer."
Galen squatted beside Kade. "I thought Jillian was gone for certain. I grabbed for her, but I wasn't close enough. I don't know how you managed to catch her, Kade."
Kade snorted. "Nay, neither do I."
"What happened to you, lass," Galen asked, studying her face.
She touched her cheekbone. "Gordon hit me."
He blew out a long breath and shook his head. "Damn the bastard."
Jillian intently inspected Kade's hands. "Galen, I need some fresh water."
"Aye. I'll see what I can do." With a bit of searching, Galen found a freshwater spring nearby.
After walking the short distance, Jillian washed Kade's bloody hands, and closely examined his fingers. "There doesn't seem to be any broken bones—Annag will know for certain—but 'twill take a long time for them to heal properly either way. I suppose it might require you spending a lot of time resting in our bedchamber," she said, lifting one brow suggestively.
Galen chuckled.
"That, I'll not mind at all," he said, kissing her soundly.
After using strips of her shift to bandage his fingers, Jillian and Galen helped him onto Caesar's back. Then Galen lifted her up in front of him. With Kade's fingers in such bad condition, Jillian would have to be the one to handle Caesar. Kade hoped the animal would behave himself for her. He needn't have worried, for he followed her every command. Kade wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against him. He closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her warm body against his. He kissed the top of her head and breathed out a sigh of contentment. Not even the dull pain throbbing through his fingers could quell the joy he felt as they headed for home—our home.
***
As they rode through the gates of Ravenskull, Kade was overwhelmed with happiness. He'd come home—with Jillian. At the stables, he refused to allow anyone to help him down. He swung his leg over the saddle and slid from the horse. Jillian held on tight
ly to his arm as the three of them walked together to the castle. Logan and Shaw met them at the door.
Logan glanced at his bandaged fingers. "What happened, my laird?"
"A gift from MacRae,"
"And Lady Jillian?"
"Another gift from MacRae," he said, as everyone followed him into the great hall where he stopped a servant girl. "Bring us whatever you have left to eat. We're starving."
At the high table, Jillian smiled and pulled out his chair.
He winked at her and sat down.
Jillian turned to Logan. "Has Ian been asking for me?"
"Aye, m'lady, but the lad is fine. I believe Glennis coaxed him into taking a wee nap a short while ago. And I assume that's where he is now."
She smiled and nodded. "I'll slip into the nursery a bit later and give him a kiss. What of Sully and Will? How are they?"
"Aye, better but not yet well. It'll take much time and healing before they'll be as before."
Jillian's concern for his people touched Kade. "We'll visit each of them on the morrow. But as for tonight, we'll rest."
After the food arrived, and Jillian had washed and dried her fingers, she picked up a slice of venison and held it up to Kade's mouth, waiting.
He took the food from her fingertips and ate it. He could get used to her coddling.
"Shaw, what of Lochstorm?"
"'Tis now in the capable hands of Roderick and its garrison. They await your orders, laird."
Kade nodded, his mouth full, after taking a bite of the bannock Jillian offered him.
Galen put down his cup. "Kade, since you'll not be in any shape to ride for a while, if you'll give me your instructions, I'll see that your orders are carried out."
"Much thanks, Galen. We'll discuss it on the morrow. My wife also wishes for her servant, Winnie, to come here to live. She'll send a missive along to Roderick saying as much."