She leaned a shoulder against the cave wall and held her bloodied hand over her face. Her eyes burned from the sand, but it didn’t matter. This had all been for naught, and now Olaf would beat her or worse. Despite using every ounce of courage to escape this lecherous man, she had failed and might pay the ultimate price. He’d kill her.
“Do not make me have another get ye. Ye will not like what I do if I must have ye dragged out for me.”
Mayhap she should just let him take her, and then she could kill him while he slept.
“Come to me willingly, Ethne.”
She had no weapon, not even one to end her miserable existence. That would be better than submitting.
“Do. So. Now!” Olaf’s patience was gone.
Dropping her face to the ground, she sobbed her frustration, pounding her fists into the sand. The hand touching her from the other side made her scream and jump out of its reach.
“Shh, Ethne, I am here.” Lachlann’s sweet voice.
She moved in closer. “What are ye doing here?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he dug around the flat rock lodged at the bottom of the crawl through.
“Talorc! Come! Quick now,” boomed Olaf’s loud voice.
Lachlann tried wiggling the stone out from its tight fit. When it fell back into place, he swore. On the second try, his arms reached through to allow him to wrap his fingers around the open edge and force it toward him. It left a huge indent in the ground and Ethne did not hesitate to drop down to the ground, turning her shoulders to force herself through the opening. He helped her from the other side. When both sides squeezed in at her hips, she froze.
“I’m stuck!”
“No, ye’re not. Relax. Try to breathe easy. I will pull ye through.” Lachlann’s voice calmed her, and she did as he said.
“Try the other way, ye fool,” Olaf barked in irritation.
Lachlann turned her gently. One way and then the other. “Deep breath now. Blow it out, nice and slow.”
With a final tug, she cleared the passage. Her trembling sobs didn’t stop her from going on her knees to hug him close to her, her head on his solid chest. “Thank ye, Lachlann.”
“We’ve not a moment.” He lifted her into his arms and ran to the ladder, handing her up to Niall, who stood a few rungs down from the top. The steps groaned under the weight. He hefted her up to Aldred, and the cracking of the step was as loud as a thunderclap. The broken pieces of wood dropped to the ground.
Niall quickly climbed off the ladder and reached back to Lachlann. “Give me yer hand.”
The ladder cracked again, breaking apart beneath Lachlann’s feet as he clasped Niall’s hand.
“I could use some help.” Niall strained against the weight of the man who hung by the strength of his arm alone.
It seemed like an eternity until Aldred grabbed the back of his tunic and together, they yanked Lachlann onto the ground on his belly.
“Damn, man, ye’re a heavy one!” Aldred stood upright as he heaved a breath.
Ethne was beside Lachlann, “Are ye hurt?”
“Not me.” He sat up, his surprised expression reassuring. “Areyehurt?”
“We dinna have time if we’re to get her away,” Niall said.
“I’m fine now.” When they stood, she hugged Lachlann to her again. “Thank ye for coming back for me.”
“There’s no lie that will keep me from ye, Ethne.” He tipped up her chin to look her in the eyes. “No lie I won’t tear down to see ye safe.”
He kissed her then, a gentle kiss full of meaning.
“We canna tarry here.” Niall handed down the reins. “Take her on yer horse and head back toward the castle, but go by way of Aidan’s. I expect Olaf and his men will have the other way watched. We will meet at the castle.”
