“Exactly.”
“Then we’ll see you soon.”
“Hopefully.”
He urged Lairdkiller down the hillside, leaving his clan behind.
“How long will it take to get there?” Heather asked.
“We should be there by this evening if we ride hard,” he replied.
He made his way through the battlefield, making sure to avoid the bodies. “So much bloodshed,” he said, noting the MacGregor dead among the outlaws. “All because of me.”
“No,” Heather replied. “This was not your fault, it was hers.”
Gavin nodded, not sure if he believed her. He wanted to, but it was hard. He had sworn an oath to protect his clan and he’d failed them. He could only hope that he could right that wrong with this final fight.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.
Heather was silent for a while before answering. The light faded as they reached the wood and began to weave between the trees. “Do you remember what you said when Keir was holding me?”
“Perhaps.”
“You said you love me.”
“Aye.”
“Did you mean it or was it just to distract him?”
“I meant it, Heather. I love you. I’ve loved you for longer than I realized. I think since the first moment I saw you.”
“Really?” She looked back at him, a smile spreading across her lips.
“You sound surprised.”
“No, it’s just. I…” She stopped for a moment before continuing. “I love you too.”
It was his turn to smile, leaning forward to kiss her, not easy on horseback. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “Cement the alliance between the MacGregors and the Frazers?”
“Ask me afterward,” she replied. “I don’t want to tempt fate after all it’s done for me.”
He tried to keep the disappointment from his face. “Very well.”
“Tell me something,” she said as an awkward silence fell. “What are we going to do when we get to the cave?”
“I have a plan.”
They talked for the entire journey. Once the plan was decided, she asked about him running off from the cave. Gavin told her about his trip to the castle. He explained what had happened with Mungo, the spell he was under.
Heather in turn told him all that had happened while he was gone. After they had caught up, the talk turned to the future. It was not easy to talk about as he knew much was riding on what happened when they reached the cave.
The sun was setting when they finally arrived. Gavin tied up Lairdkiller at the top of the glen, leaving him to stamp his feet nervously as they headed down toward the cave. The sense of evil was as strong as last time.
The remains of the fire was still there as was the man he’d killed with the bow last time. The smell of his moldering body made Heather retch as they passed by.
“Are you ready?” Gavin asked when they reached the cave entrance. “You can stay here if you wish. I will go in alone.”
She took his hand in hers. “I will not leave your side no matter what the danger.”
A mocking laughter echoed out from the cave. “You bring me the key,” the old crone said, her voice coming from far in the darkness. “After all this, you simply bring me the key.”
“It’s right here,” Heather shouted, bringing it out from her bag as Gavin turned and ran. “Come and get it.”
