Burke and Storm turned. Cullen stood, his shirt stained with Alaina’s blood and his cheeks stained with the last of his tears.
“We will bury Alaina first,” Burke said.
“No!” Cullen near shouted.
Storm looked past him to see Alaina lying on the ground, her arms crossed over her chest as if she lay in peaceful repose. “We can’t just leave her.”
“That was what she wanted,” Cullen said.
Storm knew he presently held himself together with the anger and pain of her death, but soon, very soon, the pain would be beyond bearing and he would break.
“Why?” Burke asked.
Cullen looked to Storm. “You understand, don’t you?”
Storm nodded. “Alaina wants her father to see her, to know that it was her choice to join you, to know that she was finally free of him.”
“She stays as she is,” Cullen said and walked off, not looking back.
They were soon on their way again, the wounded being helped and their pace hurried. They would never withstand another attack. They had to reach St. Andrew by dark and board the ship. It was their only chance.
Cullen remained silent for the remainder of the journey. Storm had cautioned Burke to leave his brother be, that once on the ship he could talk with him, that Cullen would probably want to talk and that Burke should be there when he did.
She told him not to worry about anything else but Cullen. She would see to settling her people. He was not to give them or her a second thought.
He had hugged and kissed her and kept walking, his steps anxious as all the others to reach port and have this done.
The last leg of the journey was the most difficult. Everyone was exhausted and could barely take another step, but they prevailed. It was the promise of freedom and a new life that kept them determined, and with the cover of darkness shielding them little by little, they boarded the ship.
“We’ll be setting sail in a few minutes,” Burke said.
Storm nodded. “We’ll be ready. How is Cullen?”
Burke looked to the railing where his brother stood staring out at the sea. “He wishes to speak with me.”
Storm placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Go, he needs you.”
Burke leaned down and kissed her softly. “I am so relieved you are here beside me.”
She pressed her cheek to his. “So am I.”
Storm watched him walk over to his brother and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Only time would heal his wounds, but having someone there would help him.
Burke wasn’t certain what to say to his brother. He knew he would be inconsolable if he had lost Storm. He wasn’t even sure if he should mention Alaina. He was at a loss as to how to help his brother.
“You will like America,” Burke said, hoping it would help to speak to him of his new home.
“I am not going with you.”
Burke’s hand slipped off his brother’s back. “Of course you are. You can’t stay here. The earl’s men will find you.”
“They will think I sailed with you.”
Burke spoke bluntly. “Alaina is gone. There is nothing here for you.”
Cullen’s knuckles turned white from how hard he grasped hold of the railing. “My son is here.”
Burke was struck speechless for a moment. “Your son?”
