Her Highland Defender (9 page)

She lifted her chin and her gaze searched his face. He had little idea what she saw, if anything, but he kept his face resolute. Aye, he’d made countless mistakes of late, but if he could see them through this and ensure the Sassenachs paid, he wasn’t sure he could regret being distracted by this lass.

Some relief filled Ceana when the rest of the lads returned. But there was still no sign of Kate. Heaviness weighted her heart. She watched the boys filter into the hall and move up to defence positions. She shook her head to herself. They had lads doing men’s jobs. This wasn’t fair.

Ceana patted her mother’s shoulder. “I’m going to find Blane.” She wanted to find out if there had been any word of her sister and to check what the lads had seen.

“Aye, dear. Ye do that.”

Her mother seemed oblivious to the danger Kate could be in and for that, she was grateful. She pushed past the women and children crowding the hall, pausing to give reassurance and apologise when she bumped into people. Finding her way across was harder than usual without being able to keep track properly of exactly where she was with her feet.

She moved into the coolness of the hallway and paused when she heard Blane’s voice.

“Keep this quiet, stay low. If Ceana—”

“Blane?” The two figures swivelled toward her voice. He bit back a groan. Ceana came to his side, putting out a hand to find his arm. “What do ye wish to keep quiet?”

He heaved a breath. “Yer sister...is in the hands of the English.”

Silence deafened. Her eyes grew wider then she released a tiny puff of sound. Ceana’s legs seemed to give way and Blane grabbed her, held her up against him. Tiny tremors ran through her body.

“She’s alive?”

“Aye,” Blane said.

“The Sassenachs...” Fraser’s voice came out tight, full of anguish. “They have her.”

Ceana heard the pain there—the sort of pain that rips a man apart. This man loved her sister.

“I couldnae even get close to her. I dinnae know if they realise how important she is or if they’re keeping her for sport, but they had her bound and surrounded. God’s bones, I should—”

“Ye’d have put her life at risk if ye’d have tried anything,” Blane told him.

“We cannae leave her in their hands.” Fraser gave a huff of frustration.

 “I agree, but we cannae leave the villagers vulnerable either.” Blane held her closer.

“So what do we do?” Her fingers dug into his arm. “Why did ye no’ want to tell me?”

“Because ye’d have wanted to tear apart those men yerself.”

She lifted her chin. “Aye, I do.”

 “There’s naught ye can do.”

“Ye cannae be suggesting we leave her?”

“I’m suggesting we dinnae abandon yer people to go after her. Kate is a brave lass. She’ll be fine until we can get her back.”

She tried to pull away but Blane would not allow it. He seemed determined to give her comfort whether she liked it or not. Ceana released a small sob and burrowed her head against his chest.

“I will get her back,” Fraser swore.

Ceana twisted her head to view the lad and nodded slowly. She could almost hear the determination and love he had in him for Kate.

“Let us get ye into the hall. Fraser, we shall move up to the ramparts.”

“Nay, I am coming too,” she declared.

“Nay, yer staying below where ‘tis safe.”

She gave a mutinous look but relented. “Send me word when the English arrive.”

Part of her longed to fight him, but what could she do? She had a duty to these people and she had to trust that her sister would be fine. He gave her a swift kiss as Fraser left and escorted her into the crowded hall. She sought out her mother while he made his way up onto the ramparts where the rest of the young lads awaited their enemy. She knew they were in for a long night.

Night fell and the heat in the castle dispersed. Ceana worked to keep everyone warm and fed and she was grateful for the distraction. What if Kate had been harmed or worse? She’d never forgive herself for not taking better care of her.

She paused in offering drinks around when Fraser approached.

“They’re here,” Fraser told her.

“They will not get in,” she replied as a spear of dread shot through her.

“Nay, they will not.” He drew her aside. “They have Kate with them.”

Ceana fought to draw breath as a noose of tension wrapped itself about her neck.  “Is she unharmed?”

“It seems so though ‘tis hard to tell.”

“What do they want?”

“Coin.”

“But we have none.”

“They dinnae know that.”

Ceana glanced around the busy hall. “Is Blane on the ramparts?”

“Aye.”

“What does he say of this?”

“I think it likely he will attempt to slip out and rescue her himself. He willnae let us act.” Fraser’s expression grew dark. “I willnae let her be harmed, milady. I wish to see her safe. Say the word and I shall bring her back to ye.”

Offering him a reassuring pat to the arm, she felt herself soften toward this young man. He clearly cared deeply for her sister and would do all he could to protect her.

However, any affection she was beginning to feel for Fraser was marred by the deep well of dread pooling in her stomach. Blane likely intended to put himself in harm’s way to save her sister. It was her fault he was here, her fault her sister had behaved as she had. Blane owed them nothing, and she refused to see him likely killed in some foolish rescue attempt.

Certainty filled her. She’d be left in charge of this castle and its occupants. She
had
to be the one to act. Blane had already been drawn into a battle that was not his and had gone through so much. It wasn’t fair of her to have thrust this responsibility on him. But first she had to ensure Blane did nothing yet.

“Let me see what we can offer in ransom.
Mamaidh
may have some jewels. Tell Blane he must not act yet. And neither must ye.”

Fraser nodded. “As ye bid, milady.”

She waited until he was gone and sought out her mother. When she gave her a quick hug, her mother snatched her arm.

“What are ye doing, lass? Yer about to do something reckless, are ye no’? I can tell.”

“Nothing reckless,
Mamaidh
. Dinnae fear for me.”

“I never have, lass. Even when we knew of yer eyes, I knew ye were strong and courageous. But that doesnae mean ye have to do everything alone. Let yer strong warrior aid ye. He likes to be looked to, I can tell.”

“Aye. I know.”

Ceana kissed her mother’s head and moved through to the rear of the castle. She tried not to think about how furious Blane would be, but she had to be the one to remedy this. As the glow of torches faded, she switched to relying on her memory and senses to guide her.

How she would fare once in the hands of the English with no sight, she knew not.

As promised, her world turned dark once she escaped through the rear of the castle. She followed the path from memory around, careful to keep her footsteps quiet even as her heart sounded like a battle drum to her ears. Once she came upon the rock that told her she was a fair distance from the keep, she headed back to where the English would be. They would have no idea where she had escaped from and thus her people would be safe.

Ceana bit back a curse when she nearly stumbled over a loose rock. Her palms were clammy and perspiration on her skin made her shudder in the cold night air. The unknown was all about her, in the odd sounds and the ground that wasn't so familiar in the pitch dark. But mostly in the complete blindness that swallowed her.

“Who goes there?”

She stilled. She had half-expected to run into the armoured chest of an Englishman before coming upon their position. This at least saved her from giving away her weakness.

She hoped.

“The lady of the keep,” she called in English, grateful her voice betrayed no fear.

Footsteps. Then a hand to her arm, hard and painful.

Ceana clamped her mouth shut and refused to give into any gasps of surprise that threatened to break free.

“Why do you come to us?” the man asked. His voice was low, almost a growl. He reminded her of a wolf.

Dragged bodily for several paces, Ceana managed to keep herself upright even though her shoes caught on several rocks and ridges in the path. She suspected they were not far from the front of the keep. She only hoped Blane did not see her or else this would never work.

“I have come to make negotiations for my sister,” she announced when the pull on her arm ceased.

The scent of unwashed men surrounded her. There were murmurs and shuffling footsteps. How many there were, she knew not. Were they surrounding her? Readying themselves to do with her as they wished? She lifted her chin. For her sister, her people...and Blane, she would do whatever she could to protect them.

“You bring coin?” another voice asked.

“Nay, a prize worth more.”

“And what is this prize?” the wolf man demanded.

“Myself.”

A ripple of low laughter circled about her. She licked her dry lips and kept her spine straight. Mayhap she had made a foolish decision. She certainly couldn't rely on these men having honour. She may well have condemned her and her sister to death. But she had to try.

“Why would we take you instead of her?”

There was tiny cry and she realised Kate was not far from her. “Ceana,” her sister cried softly. “What are ye doing?”

Fighting the desire to reach out and find her sister, to ensure she was safe, Ceana turned her attention to the source of the wolf voice.

“I am the eldest daughter of Chief Donal of the Malcolm Clan. I am worth more than my sister. Ransom me to my father and ye shall gain many riches.”

“Worth more than a virgin daughter? I think not.”

Ceana swallowed, her mind racing. It had not occurred to her they might think Kate more valuable still. But then she was an eldest daughter and not an eldest son. Of course they would see no value in her. The English tradition of prizing sons over daughters was not unknown in Scotland but many a Scottish daughter had fought for and led her clan. Just as she intended to fight for her clan now.

“I am...” She cleared her throat. “I am also married to the future chief. He will pay much for my safety.”

Silence drifted over them. Inwardly, she pleaded with her sister not to dispute the facts. Once Kate was safe, she'd worry about what would happen when her lies were discovered. She hoped her father would come to her aid once it was revealed she'd been kidnapped and there would be no need to demand a ransom from her dead husband.

“Your father and your husband will pay for you?”

“Aye.”

“You offer yourself in exchange for your sister, is that right?”

“It is.”

“Why should we not just keep both of you and demand more coin?”

“Ye can demand but ye shallnae get. There is no coin here. My father and husband are travelling to meet yer army. If ye want riches, ye must go to them. And that means ye shall need to keep me prisoner. 'Twill be easier to hold one lass hostage, will it not?”

Wolf chuckled. “You are two small women. You'll give us no trouble.”

“Nay, but my men will. They have been ordered to let ye leave unharmed with me, but that willnae be so should ye take my sister too. They are on those ramparts now, with arrows trained upon ye.”

Her throat nearly closed over while she waited for the man to debate her words. She heard his harsh breaths and the scuff of boots around them.

Release her
, she silently pleaded. Let her lies work. Let them be convinced by her.

“We'll take ye from here and send word to yer father and husband, and yer men willnae follow us?” A rush of acrid breath washed over her and the grip on her arm near burned through her sleeve once more. “Because if they do, we shall kill ye and lay waste to this village.”

“They will do as I have commanded,” she replied, masking a shudder.

“As ye will then.”

Kate released a sob and Ceana reached out in the hopes of touching her.

“May I say farewell?”

“Aye,” the wolf agreed.

Kate stumbled into her and Ceana wrapped her arms about her younger sister. She felt her tremble. “Fraser awaits ye inside,” she murmured. “Dinnae let them come after me. Tell them to stay safe. All will be well, I swear it. And tell...tell Blane that I beg for his forgiveness.”

“He'll never forgive ye, Ceana,” she whispered back. “What have ye done?”

Kate was wrenched from her arms before she could reply. Likely she was right. Blane would never forgive her for taking matters into her own hands, but she could not let him do something rash for her. He'd done enough already.
If
she somehow escaped the clutches of the English, she doubted he would ever look upon her again.

Blane retrieved his weapon from the armoury. He hadn't seen Ceana and he thanked the Lord for that. He did not need her interfering when he rescued her sister.

He'd wait for a while longer—ensuring the Sassenachs had let down their guard before using the escape passageway to get Kate back. Pushing the sword into his belt, he considered how angry Ceana would be. But she would be grateful to have her sister back. And if he could kill a few of the English—or even all of them—he would.

Whether he would return alive was another thing. But had he continued in hunting them down, this never would have happened. He had to rectify this, and he had to do it alone. Blane wouldn't leave Ceana unprotected. The young lads led by Fraser might not be an army but they would do well enough keeping the castle protected until her cousin arrived.

If he ever did.

However, he thought it likely the English had come into contact with the Scots by now. Hopefully Bruce had led them to victory and her family would return.

Blane headed back into the hallway to seek out Fraser. He stilled, his heart near leaping out of his throat as he saw the lad embracing a dark-haired girl.

Kate.

He knew it then. Knew she'd done something foolish. A chasm opened up in his chest as though he'd been cleaved in two. He marched over to the couple.

“Where is she?” he demanded.

Kate turned a teary gaze on him. “Ceana offered herself in exchange. I tried to stop her, Blane. I told her not to.”

The pain that seared him was worse than any injury he'd ever suffered. The image of Ceana in the hands of the mercenaries almost blinded him. What could she have been thinking? He fought through the agony in his chest and drew in a breath.

“I have to go after her.”

Fraser nodded. “I will come with ye.”

“Nay, ye must remain. Protect the castle and the people. Who knows what will happen and these people need yer protection.”

Kate gripped Fraser's arm. “He's right. Ceana wanted the villagers safe. We have to protect them. Blane will get her back, will ye not?”

“Aye,” he vowed. “I shall see her safe even if it costs me my last breath.”

“I pray it doesnae,” Kate said. “Ceana willnae forgive herself.”

He didn't doubt it. Ceana was all too willing to take on the burdens of everyone and if he died, it would cut her deeply. But he would not say as much. Regardless of how it would affect her, should he be killed, her life was worth more than his. He had no choice.

“I shall follow on foot,” he declared.

It would make it easier to ensure he could get to them before they harmed Ceana. If he had to, he would stalk them until he could be assured they were resting and her rescue would be easy.

“I believe they intend to meet up with the rest of the English army. Ceana said Father will pay for her ransom.” She lowered her gaze. “She also said her husband will.”

He stilled. “Husband?”

“She lied, Blane. To make herself seem more valuable. What will they do to her when they discover as much?”

“Hell fire,” he muttered. “I must go after her now. There’s not a moment to waste.”

“They said if anyone followed they'd kill her and lay waste to the settlement.

“They shallnae know I am following, I swear it. I know these lands better than they do now.”

“Have a care, Blane,” Kate told him before he turned to leave.

He gave her a sharp nod and moved through the crowds to make his way out of the keep. Fist curled, he imagined Ceana making the same journey, knowing she was giving up herself to save her sister. Foolish lass. Damn her. What had she been thinking? Why could she not have trusted him to save her sister?

His shoulders brushed the damp walls of the dark confines of the passageway. She wouldn't be able to see in this light. She'd be totally at their mercy. Damn her, damn her, damn her. If she was harmed...

Swallowing down the tight knot that tangled his throat, he slipped out of the castle. He took his time to scan the area. The Sassenachs wouldn't have made much progress, even on horses, but he couldn't let himself be spotted. As much as an urgent thrum through his body urged him to race ahead and snatch Ceana from their grasp, they were ten men and he was one. He would be putting her in danger if he reacted rashly.

Once he'd established that the shadowy figures making their way up over the mountains were the English, he began his careful journey around the loch. He would be going farther around but he could make his way back up and follow their tracks until night. Then, once they were resting, he'd snatch Ceana and slaughter them all.

Blane walked until his thighs burned and the sun glinted over the mountains in blinding orange streams. He kept to the streams and gulleys, using the rugged terrain as cover until he found signs of footprints. They were headed south to join the rest of the English, as predicted. Whatever happened, he couldn't let them get that far. If they discovered there was no ransom from a worried husband, Ceana was as good as dead. And she had likely known that. Brave, foolish lass.

“I'm coming for ye,” he murmured to the wind as though the words might transport to her.

Would they have discovered her lack of sight? Used it against her? Was she stumbling across this unknown terrain at present, likely bruised and battered?

The raw ache in his chest refused to abate so he thought on other things. How satisfying it would be to run his blade through the Sassenachs, how he would cherish the terror in their eyes as he sought his revenge. But the usual thrill of bloodlust did not fire through his body. Mostly because his mind transported him elsewhere. Into Ceana's arms, into a world where she was safe and he had not made many, many mistakes. Once he got her back...

Blane stopped only to drink from a stream and eat some hard bread he'd tucked in his plaid. He hadn't slept but his mind blazed clear and his body refused to give in. Sleep could wait. By the time the skies were growing grey, he had travelled some distance in pursuit, coming upon an increasingly rocky and damp terrain.  He climbed for some time, his stomach rolling with dread when he could no longer track them. What if he had lost their trail?

But shortly before night fell, he came upon their horses tied up. He crouched behind a rock. They must have rested at some point during the night for him to have caught up with them so quickly, though he’d been moving at a fair pace. Ceana had to be exhausted. They were some distance ahead, making their way up the craggy rock face of the hill toward an opening in the rocks. They clearly intended to spend the night there.

Muscles stiff, he remained crouched for some time

He hoped some of them were resting. Whatever he did, he couldn't let them harm Ceana.

What he was actually going to do, he knew not. All he knew was he had a dagger in one hand and a blade on his hip. As long as there was breath in his body, he'd fight for Ceana. He swallowed hard and began to make his way up to the opening in the rocks. Water trickled underfoot and he pictured her huddled in the dark, blind and terrified, cold and alone.

But not for much longer.

Blane gradually realised the Sassenachs must have been using the cave as a base. He stalked slowly through the winding passageway as it carved deeper into the hillside and found they'd mounted lit torches further in. He hadn't been able to see them earlier because they'd clearly kept them deep inside the cave to hide their position. But the faint flicker of golden light on most corners made moving across the uneven ground easier. He wasn't sure how Ceana would have fared. He prayed they hadn't mishandled her while she struggled to keep up with them.

I'm coming, wildling
, he uttered in his mind. He could swear he sensed her close by. His fingertips tingled and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. The connection between them was stronger than he'd realised—or perhaps than he'd wanted to admit. Blane could not help think that once he got her back, he wouldn't let her go.

He paused at the sight of a shadow, dancing across the wall. No fear made his heart pound. Any clamminess on his palms vanished. He was able to forget Ceana for the moment while his senses quietened and focused. This was always how it had been for him in battle. Once the enemy was upon him, a quiet sense of certainty came over him. He'd heard of Viking Berserkers who went mad and killed everything in their path. He'd even seen men do similar. But that was not him. With a blade in his hand, he could dispatch life quickly and efficiently.

As much as he wanted these men to suffer, they would be blessed with such a death by his hands. For Ceana's sake, he was willing to give them that.

He moved swiftly, dagger in hand. The man never even uttered a sound against the hand Blane clamped over his mouth as he ran his blade across his throat. Stickiness coated his palm and the Englishman sagged. He lowered him to the ground and moved on.

Would there be many more watchmen? Or were the English so confident in their hideout that they only stationed one man to keep watch?

He found out soon enough. Another man at a wider opening. There was a brief scuffle and the sound carried. He prayed it sounded like no more than someone taking a tumble or scuffing their feet on the ground out of boredom. The man died in much the same way as the first, however, a slice to his throat taking the life from him. Blane took the time to push the body aside into the dark, damp recess of the cave. From the voices that carried along the tunnel, he was close to the main camp. It wouldn't hurt to hide the evidence of his deeds this close to them.

Blane tucked away his dagger and drew out his blade. He was going to get Ceana back.