CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Blake rode as if the hounds of hell, or worse, were on their heels. He’d seen Luke and could hear the man’s rabid shouts for his death, and as far as he was concerned, he was in more danger than he would have been with a pack of barbarian raiders after him.
He knew Reyna was furious that he’d snatched her up, but he didn’t care. If they were caught, he was in better shape to protect her than Finlay. And he knew where he was going. Reyna might not appreciate what he was doing, but both he and Finlay knew the truth – if it came to pitched battle, Sinclair Castle was a far better defender than Gregor Keep.
He also knew that as vindictive as Oran Murray was, it would almost certainly come to pitched battle.
They rode hard, but their pursuers were better rested, and in better shape. They were also far more careless of their horses. A lamed animal for them would be an inconvenience. For Blake and his companions, it would be a death sentence.
As if his thoughts had been an omen of disaster, Finlay’s horse stumbled. Blake started to pull up, when the young heir caught his eye, shook his head, and turned his horse sharply in a different direction.
Blake could guess his plan easily enough. He could hide, and Luke, with his hatred of Blake, would continue the pursuit of Blake and Reyna. Then, ahorse or afoot, Finlay could make for Gregor Keep to seek reinforcements and warn his father what had transpired.
Either way, his horse would be able to rest, and he’d be able to ride easier but steadier.
It wasn’t the plan Blake would have preferred to follow, though it was one he’d advocated before. Still, he was certain Finlay’s plan was sound, and it guaranteed the young man’s safety, whereas trying to keep up with them was more likely to guarantee his renewed capture and execution.
Reyna, of course, didn’t think of that, or care if she did. The minute her brother disappeared, she screamed at him again. “Go back! Finlay…”
“Is safer without us than with us!” He glanced over his shoulder to see two of Luke’s men hesitating and shouted derisively at the man. “Ye always were tae slow and weak tae even catch me boot-heels, Luke! And it’s nae different now! Ye might do better tae chase the slower prey after all!”
Reyna snarled at him in outrage, but Luke whipped his horse around in a rage, his frenzied screech of anger ringing over the distance between them. “Ye filthy out-clan bastard! I’m going tae catch ye, and then I’m going tae pin ye tae the ground and take me time killing ye, afore I take yer head back tae Laird Murray and reclaim me rightful place at his side!”
Blake made a mocking gesture in his direction, then kicked his horse into a gallop again.
Over the moonlit ground they flew. Blake could hear the pursuers gaining on them. The warriors might be armed, and even wearing some hastily donned armor, but that was still lighter than two adults and saddle bags. Blake set his jaw and prayed to whatever entity might be listening that he would be able to use his one great advantage before they caught him.
He was a Sinclair, and not even ten years of absence could keep him from remembering all the paths of to and from the land his clan had claimed as their own. Even more important, before Preston had learned the truth and started to help him, it had been a habit of his to seek out a specific path that he could use to leave messages for Hutch. The trail was one that was hard to find and follow, even in daylight, if you didn’t know it was there.
There was a sharp twist among the crags at the start of the path, and he knew that Luke would never see or be able to navigate it, not in the dark. As long as he reached it before the Murray riders reached him.
Luck or the gift of the gods was with him. He found the boundary markers, then the path, and guided his horse onto it while there were still enough yards between their horse and their pursuers that no one would be able to see exactly how he managed.
He spurred his horse among the rocks and slowed to a walk for safety, just in time to hear the scramble of hooves on stone and a cry of thwarted fury from the other side of the outcropping. Blake smiled grimly as he listened to Luke cursing and berating his men.
They could try to chase Finlay, but the young heir would be long gone and well past the borders of his clan by the time they could even back-track enough to try and pick up the trail. Their horses were also tired from the frantic pace they’d set, which would make it impossible to catch up.
They’d have to return to Murray Keep and report their failure to Laird Murray. And Oran would not be pleased. Blake would have pitied them the experience if he’d had any pity to spare.
From there, Oran would likely gather the men to form an assault party to march on Sinclair Castle. But by the time he was properly started, Finlay would be safe at Gregor Keep and he and Reyna would be safe at Sinclair Castle.
At least, that was what he hoped.
Reyna held herself stiff as they rode, and kept her mouth shut and her eyes faced straight ahead. The sun rose, and she ignored it. When they stopped for water again, and to wipe down and feed the tired horse, she ignored Blake’s hand and clambered down without his assistance.
Blake waited until she’d refreshed herself, then offered her some bread and cheese. “Ye should eat.”
She was inclined to ignore him, or shove the food in his face, or even grab it and throw it away for the birds to eat. But her stomach was growling, and she’d had nothing since the noon meal the day before, so she took the food and ate it without a word.
She’d hoped Blake would read her silence as refusal to have anything to do with him, but he seemed to take the fact that she’d taken his food as an invitation. “Ye cannae still be angered with me.”
She sniffed but made no other reply.
His tone was teasing, goading, when he spoke again. “Yer sister-by-marriage is likely tae be fair vexed with ye. Ye didnae give her the chance tae give yer braither the happy news herself. Now he’ll have tae pretend tae be surprised, or her feelings are likely tae be hurt.”
He might have a point, but she certainly wasn’t going to tell him. After a moment, she turned back to the horse.
Blake mounted and offered her a hand, and she took it and lifted herself into the saddle in silence. To her relief, Blake didn’t try to talk to her again. He left her alone with her thoughts.
