“Ye wouldna be deserting them.” Hope stirred his adrenalin as a clear plan came to him. “Sometimes 'tis better to retreat in the heat of battle. Fall back to regroup and strengthen.” Ever so gently, he reached out and slid his hand beneath hers, laced their fingers together, and squeezed. “Come with me to regroup and strengthen. We’ll discover a way to overpower Calum and save your people. I swear it.”
“How is that possible? How could we do that if we’re no' here to guard them against his wrath?”
“Be honest with yourself, Catriona. Ye think ye can guard them? Alone? Look what he’s already done to ye in a mere few weeks. Struck ye down. Betrothed ye to a man rumored to be as cruel as himself. Ye canna save them by staying here unless ye mean to drive a dagger in his heart while he sleeps or spike his favorite port with a good bit a poison.”
“I canna kill him.” She pulled her hand away and hugged herself against the words. “As much as I hate the bastard, I canna imagine taking his life.”
“Ye’re a better person than I.” Alexander scanned the room, the sudden intense feeling of eyes upon them pricking the hairs on the back of his neck. “We should say no more here.” He lowered his voice even more. “Go to your room. Gather only what ye canna live without then return to the kitchens, aye? Will ye do that, Catriona?”
She remained silent for so long that Alexander feared she would refuse. After what seemed like forever, she pulled in a deep breath and stood taller. “Aye. 'Twill no' take me long.”
He resisted the urge to take her hand, every fiber of his being screamed to take her in his arms. But he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.
Instead, he gave her a polite nod. “'Tis good then. Hurry, lass. We leave tonight.”
