“Only if we can reach it before Ceredys’s men attack.” He trapped her against the wall, his palms resting upon the limestone. “You risked too much, leaving the cave. I told you to stay here.”
“And I told you, I’m not going to hide like a coward. I fight at your side MacEgan, not in your shadow.”
He stared at her, his jaw tight with anger. “Don’t defy me, Honora.”
She faced his fury, lifting her chin. “I make my own decisions, MacEgan.” The sound of men’s voices and horses seemed to draw closer, and her pulse quickened. “They’re searching the coastline, aren’t they?”
Ewan nodded, lifting his hands away. “We haven’t much time. If we don’t leave, they’ll find us.” He gripped her hand, while he led her to the entrance.
“I’ll distract them while you swim out. Tell my brother what’s happened. He’ll know what to do.”
“Give me your knife, and we’ll fight him together,” she argued.
“They have arrows.” He shook his head. “Without a shield, we’re dead. Wait until the boat is closer, and then I want you to swim out.”
“We could risk the swim together,” she offered.
Ewan didn’t seem to hear her words. “I’m going to let him take me captive. Ceredys will ransom me, or use me to get you. Go with my brother, and he’ll bring back our own army.”
His idea might work, but Honora didn’t trust John. He wasn’t the sort of man to take prisoners. He’d sooner kill Ewan than hold him for ransom.
No, it wasn’t worth the risk. They had to do something unexpected, something that would startle John enough that he wouldn’t react in time.
Her idea took form, solidifying. Ewan wouldn’t like it. But the only way to ensure that he followed her was to seize the moment.
Before he could stop her, she dropped their belongings and ran from the cave.
Chapter Sixteen
Honoraracedacrossthesand, running toward the sea as fast as she could. Her feet hit the icy water and the waves slowed down her pace. Horses galloped toward her, but she dove beneath the surface, drowning out the mingled sounds of men shouting and hooves pounding upon the surf. Her gown weighed her down, dragging her further in.
Her mouth filled up with water, and she started to panic. She'd never been a good swimmer, and now, her life depended upon it. As she reached up for air, her body stung with the crippling chill. She could barely move, but she forced herself to keep paddling.
If she didn't reach the boat, everything was lost. She thrashed through the water at first, her head bobbing beneath the waves. Then abruptly, her mind calmed. She was strong. She'd trained since she was a girl.
Use your strength. Fight back.
Her arms cut through the waves, and though she considered removing the soaked gown, she would need it for warmth later. The wool clung to her body while she used her legs to keep herself afloat.
With a quick glance back at the coast, she saw that she had made it far enough that John's horses could not follow. She was still in range of the arrows, but they made no move to shoot her.
Just as she'd suspected. John wanted her alive, not dead.
But there was no sign of Ewan. Where was he? Fear drove her to swim faster, her arms burning as she swam toward the boat.
God above, she was so cold. And exhausted. She'd never swum this distance before, and her energy was waning. Her mouth filled up with briny water, but she forced herself to keep going.
Another glance back, and she saw two of John's men swimming toward her.
Damn. She churned her shoulders, fighting her way toward the boat. So close now.
After endless minutes passed, a wooden oar reached out and she grasped it, the man pulling her aboard. He was fair-haired and one hand was misshapen. His face was similar to Ewan's, and she guessed he was one of his brothers.
"A cold day for a swim, I'm thinking," he said.
She trembled with the chill, her teeth chattering. "Where is Ewan? Did you see him?"
"He dove into the water not long after you." The man pulled hard at one of the sails, adjusting it until the boat moved further out in the water, increasing its speed.
