“Fine,” Dougal agreed. “Release the lass. Campbell, take her.”
The nameless MacDonald clansman released his deadly hold on Meg’s neck and then, using the knife he’d just lowered, sliced through Jamie’s bonds.
Meg tried to pull away, wanting to run to Alex, but Jamie reached out to stop her.
“Don’t, Meg,” he said under his breath. “You can’t help him.”
She didn’t care. “Alex, don’t. It’s a trap—” Despite his words, she knew that Dougal had no intention of letting them go. The moment Alex was dead, they would be hunted. Alex was giving his life for nothing.
“Enough,” Alex cut her off harshly, refusing to look at her. “Jamie, do as he says, get her out of here.” He slid off his horse and divested himself of his weapons. One by one, they fell to the rocky ground.
He glanced down toward the shore, where his men battled the castle guards. Despite their smaller numbers, the MacLeods appeared to be holding the advantage. A rider galloped back and forth along the beach with a torch. She followed his gaze as twobirlinnsheaded out to sea. His mouth curved with satisfaction. Meg understood. His plan was succeeding, so far. But they needed him. By giving himself up to Dougal, he was risking everything he’d fought for—and failure. It was the ultimate proof of his love, but never would she have wished for such a noble sacrifice.
Jamie tried to lead her away, but her legs wouldn’t move. Not until…Finally, their eyes met. His face was a mask of strength and resolve. Her heart squeezed.Oh
God.He knew. He knew that Dougal would never take him prisoner, would never let him live. But he wanted to give her a chance, no matter how slim. He was giving his life for her.
A hot ball caught in her throat. She couldn’t stand this. “Please,” she choked. “Please, don’t do this—”I
don’t want you to die. Not for me.Her voice broke. “Don’t make me leave you.”
He looked back to Jamie. “Take care of her, Campbell. I love her,” Alex said softly.
I love her.The words rang in her ears. Pain and happiness gripped her heart as he so simply spoke the words she’d been longing to hear. Tears spilled from her eyes. What should be the happiest moment of her life was instead one of utter desolation and anguish. How could this be happening? He’d given her the greatest gift of her life, his love—but at the cost of his life.
“Alex,” she cried softly. He heard the soft plea in her voice and met her gaze, but only for a second. Long enough to glimpse the intensity of emotion tempered by regret. Then he turned away.
“Get her out of here,” he said to Jamie. “Now.” Alex and Jamie exchanged a look, and Meg could see the vestiges of the longtime friendship they once had shared pass between them. Jamie nodded in understanding, took her arm, and forcibly dragged her away.
Her mind was going in a thousand directions as something close to hysteria descended over her. This couldn’t be happening, there had to be something they could do. She couldn’t just leave him to die. Unarmed. Slaughtered at the hand of a coward.
I just found him. Please don’t take him from me.
I need him.
“Touching. Not that it matters,” Dougal taunted. “Not where you are going.”
She froze, knowing well what he meant. A sudden burst of strength enabled her to break free from Jamie. She spun around, just in time to see Dougal pull out his dirk.
“No!”A guttural cry tore from the depths of her soul.
What happened next took mere seconds, though it seemed to unfold in horrifically slow motion.
Meg didn’t think. She ran straight toward Alex as Dougal’s arm began its downward stroke.Not enough time,she thought as she leapt, intending to knock the dirk from Dougal’s hand. But she missed.
Unable to stop the pendulum of his swing, Dougal plunged his dirk into flesh.
Her flesh.
She felt the sear of the blade, the sharp knife of pain, and then…nothing.
Surrounded by Dougal and his men, unarmed, and with his own men already down the hill, Alex knew there was a good chance he was going to die. But he wouldn’t go down without a fight. Dougal’s eyes were bright with excitement. He raised his dirk high above his head, and the silvery blade caught a beam of moonlight and flickered like a silvery reaper.
He prayed he could hold Dougal off long enough to give Meg a chance to escape. He heard a scream and knew that his prayers had gone unanswered. But he could not look away from the glittering blade.
Grab his hand,he thought as the dirk began to fall.
A movement from the corner of his eye distracted him. When he realized what she was doing, it was already too late. Meg had jumped in front of him. Alex had managed to knock his arm but couldn’t get hold of Dougal’s hand.The blade. Oh God. The blade.
