“Aye.”Jamie’s eyes narrowed as he studiedthe lass in Ian’s arms.He had heard and seen enough to know thatthis man was capable of doing all that he had threatened.“And ahundred more, if need be.Release the woman.”
At the fire in Jamie’s eyes, Ian’s smilefaded.Until this moment, he had not really understood the fervorthat drove the Heartless MacDonald.
He motioned to his men.“Kill him.”
As the highwaymen drew their swords andadvanced, they tasted the full force of Jamie’s wrath.His angerwas a terrible thing to behold as he leaped, thrust, danced,disarming all in his path.
Alarmed, Ian tossed Lindsey to the ground andjoined in the battle.As the sound of blade hitting blade echoedthrough the forest, Lindsey crawled to where her father andbrothers lay and quickly cut through the ropes that bound them.When they were free they leaped into the fray, driving the villainsback.
When Ian realized that he and his men werebeing badly defeated, he looked around for an escape.At the edgeof the clearing, Lindsey had taken up a sword to guard her twowounded brothers.Moving quickly, Ian crept up behind her and gaveher arm a vicious twist until the weapon dropped harmlessly to theground.
As Murray and Donald struggled to their feethe hissed, “If anyone should follow me, I will slit the lass’sthroat.”
Her brothers were forced to watch helplesslyas Ian dragged Lindsey into the forest.Ignoring the pain of theirexertion, they gave a loud cry.
Jamie heard their cry and from the corner ofhis eye saw the flash of color as Lindsey disappeared into athicket.Without thought to his own safety he dodged the flashingblades and raced into the forest.A moment later he saw two shadowson the trail ahead of him.With a cry of rage he leaped forward,sword drawn.
Ian whirled, drawing Lindsey in front of himlike a shield.“Unless you halt and drop your weapon, I will plungemy sword through the lady’s heart.”
Jamie had no doubt that this madman would doas he threatened.He remembered a time when he would havefearlessly acted to disarm such a villain without regard to theconsequences.
But that was before Lindsey.He felt theriver of sweat between his shoulder blades.Fear.But not forhimself.His life would mean nothing without Lindsey.For her sake,he must play by the villain’s rules.
He tossed his sword to the ground and sawLindsey’s eyes widen with fear.
Ian’s lips curved into a smile.“Who wouldhave thought the Heartless MacDonald would surrender so easily?”Hebrandished his sword.“Now kneel before me.”
Jamie knelt in the damp earth, all the whilegauging the distance between himself and Ian.If he were to chargequickly, he would take the blade meant for Lindsey.And if he couldstay conscious long enough to put up a fight, she would be able tomake her way back to her father and brothers.His life would belittle enough to pay to save hers.
Ian read the fire in Jamie’s eyes andsneered.“Do not try it, MacDonald.My aim is true.My blade willfind your heart with the first thrust.”
“It does not matter,” Jamie said, preparinghimself for the leap.“Nothing matters now except that the lady befree of your curse forever.”
In the blink of an eye Lindsey saw him get tohis feet.“Nay, Jamie,” she cried.
Then she saw a snarling, silvery shadow leapfrom the floor of the forest and launch itself toward Ian’suplifted sword.
“Wolf,” she cried in alarm, as she saw Ian’ssword slice through the hound.
The distraction gave Jamie the moment heneeded to take up his sword and attack.Within minutes, Ian laydead.Jamie turned to find Lindsey kneeling in the dirt, withWolf’s head cradled in her lap.Tears streamed down her face as shewatched the blood stream from the great shaggy beast.
Jamie knelt beside her and ran a hand overthe matted fur.Rage churned through him.Must everyone andeverything he loved be sacrificed?
“Oh, Jamie.Praise heaven you came in time.”Lindsey felt the first sting of tears as relief flooded throughher.
As she sought to comfort the gravely woundedhound, she whispered, “He finally came close enough to let me touchhim.But the price was too high.He willingly gave his life formine, as you were about to do.”
Jamie’s rage boiled over.He could not bearto look at the pain in her eyes.Nor would he risk the loss of anymore of his loved ones.
Giving no thought to Lindsey’s father andbrothers who gathered around them, he grasped Lindsey by the armsand hauled her roughly to her feet.His eyes narrowed as he studiedher.He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and keepher safe.But there was still so much to be done.And one pledgedto the queen’s safety could not afford the time to be tender.
With fire blazing in his eyes he turned tothe wounded lads, Murray and Donald.“Are you strong enough to rideto your father’s fortress?”
“Aye.”Murray looked puzzled at the anger inJamie’s tone.
“Then you will escort Lindsey there.”
Lindsey’s eyes widened.“I will not...”
