Caitlyn heard the door she passed through slam only moments after she made it to the bottom of the stairs. She assumed they’d gone past the door, but when they didn’t find her at the end of the passageway, they’d doubled back. She burst through a door on the second floor. Looking in both directions, she turned away from the path that took her to her chamber. There was only one place to go where she felt safe. She would lead the men to their actual target, but it was Caitlyn’s only chance not to be attacked or taken.
Fifteen
Alex’s head lolled to the side as a noise made him blink. He turned his head toward the door as something banged against it. He closed his eyes, determined to ignore whatever it was. His head felt as though its weight was pulling him from the chair as he sagged farther down.
“Alex! Alex!”
Caitlyn’s desperate voice permeated the door and his fog. He recalled his argument with the king and assumed Caitlyn heard of it. He was in no mood to see anyone, least of all the woman he wanted, but had squandered his chance with.
“Alex! Please! Let me in! Alex!”
Alex stared back at the door as his mind cleared a little more. Caitlyn wasn’t knocking. She was pounding her hand against the door and sounded frantic.
“Alex! They’re almost here. Let me in. Alex! Please.”
Alex hoisted himself out of the chair as the room spun around him. He stumbled over his own feet as he swayed with each step.
“Alex!”
“I’m coming, Caity. Hush.” Alex called out, but he doubted she heard him as she continued to pound on the door. He unlocked it and started to pull it open when Caitlyn shoved it open and practically fell into the room.
“Alex, help.” Caitlyn clung to Alex, finally feeling safe even though she could hear the men approaching. She spun around and slammed the door shut, turning the lock before reaching for the bar to drop it into the brackets.
“Caity?”
“Och, Alex, you’re drunk. Why now?” Caitlyn wondered if she’d erred, and whether that would cost them both their life.
“Wujsh happening?” Alex slurred as he thought to reach out his left arm to steady him. He pitched against the wall and banged his head. He straightened as Caitlyn froze at the sound of someone trying to open the door.
“Those men followed me.” Caitlyn prayed the men couldn’t hear her low voice. “They followed me when I was with the others, but I forgot aboot them when I left the queen’s solar alone.”
“Who?” Alex cupped Caitlyn’s cheek, mostly to figure out where she was amid the blurry image before his eyes.
“I think they’re the men who attacked us in the meadow. I didn’t know where else to go but to you.”
“And you think I can protect you? I’m the reason they’re following you. And you brought them to me.”
Caitlyn stared at Alex before turning toward the door. “I’ll take my chances with them.”
“No, you don’t.” Alex pulled Caitlyn away from the door. “I may be drunker than I’ve ever been, but I still have a smidge of sense. I don’t have my sword, and I don’t know if they have theirs. You are not leaving here until I’m certain no one is waiting for you.”
“Alex, I’m scared.” Caitlyn confessed as she landed against Alex’s chest. She was unsure if she fell against him or he pulled her, but the moment his arm draped around her back, her heart slowed.
“Crouch down on the other side of the bed. Have your dirks in your hands. If they get in, there is little I can do but hope to keep most of them from you. You must be ready to fight like I taught you.”
“I am, Alex. I knew that coming here. But this is the only place I feel like I have a chance.”
“With the cripple,” Alex muttered.
“We can argue aboot that later.” Caitlyn followed Alex’s instructions and knelt beside the far side of the bed. She was prepared to strike, but she kept out of sight. She heard Alex draw a dirk from his waist, then she listened to the faceless menace at the door. Whoever was there jiggled the handle, pounded on the door, and it sounded as though they kicked or rammed their shoulder into the portal. It shook in its frame, but it didn’t open. Caitlyn estimated her would-be assailants attempted to break in for nearly five minutes before they abandoned Alex’s door.
On silent feet, Alex came to help Caitlyn stand. She dropped her knives on the bed and sagged onto it. Alex sat beside her, uncertain what to do.
“Alex?” He beheld Caitlyn’s tearstained face as she whispered his name. He lifted his arm, and she collapsed against him, her arms wrapped around his waist. “Just hold me.”
They sat together in silence for a long time, both looking out of the window, lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Caitlyn sat up and brushed the hair from her face before wiping away her tears. The moments of lucidity and sobriety Alex felt while he was guarding Caitlyn disappeared when she seemed to no longer need him. He walked back to the table that held the whisky decanter he’d been drinking straight from, having abandoned the mug.
“Were you coming here to tell me who you’re marrying, and they followed you?”
