“Very well.” Avery sighed and slipped her hand into the crook of her husband’s arm, holding him back in case he had any plans to argue with Daniel. “I can see that you will not be persuaded by any of us. We will respect your decision to go.”
Avery and Darragh stood back and watched as Daniel filled his belt with daggers and everything he would need to take on a fight if the situation turned sour. He’d even gone as far as taking a pouch of healing herbs that Beitris had given to him for battle. He swore blind that he’d return with Melissa, even if he had to risk his own life.
“Do ye have everything ye need?” Darragh asked, resigning himself to the fact that Daniel would leave with or without his approval. Their friendship over the years had proven to him that Daniel was a strong-willed man that would not easily be persuaded once he made up his mind.
“Aye,” Daniel replied, holding the title deeds to his estate in one hand before shoving them into his belt. “An’ everything else in case negotiations go south.”
“I wish ye the best of luck,” Darragh said as he gripped his hand. “May luck be in yer favor.” He stood back and took his wife’s hand. “We will be here at the castle to make sure that Ewan disnae get away if he dares to show up.”
“Bring our Melissa back.” Avery looked at Daniel with tears in her eyes. “Even if it means that negotiations go south.”
“I will.” Daniel gave her a reassuring smile. “Dinnae worry about that, Melissa is me first an’ only concern.” He nodded once, then turned on his heel and left the room without any further hesitation.
He quickly made his way down the stairs and out the front door. He paused in his tracks and hunkered down beside a statue when he heard a pair of hurried steps making their way toward the door.
Waiting in the shadows, he readied himself for a fight as an unknown figure drew nearer.
The person’s foot had barely hit the bottom step when Daniel leaped into the air and gripped them by the arms, preparing himself to knock Ewan unconscious if it was him.
“Daniel!” Beitris screamed as she stared up into his face, her eyes wide.
“What are ye doing here at this time of night?” Daniel asked angrily as he let go of her and took a step back. “I thought ye were that bastard Ewan. I could have killed ye with me bare hands.”
“I just heard about Melissa. I was coming to see if ye needed anything,” Beitris replied, her hand on her chest, trying to calm her nerves.
“I’m on me way to go an’ get her back now,” he said, straightening the daggers in his belt.
“Wait.” She frowned as she looked to the side. “Did ye say that bastard Ewan? Were ye talking about Ewan McCollin? What does he have to do with anything?”
“I dinnae have time to explain!” Daniel began to walk backwards and then turned around, starting out at a jog. “Go inside an’ ask Avery an’ Darragh. They will explain everything!” he shouted over his shoulder.
Entering the stables at a jog, Daniel looked for his horse and quickly spotted the dark grey mare at the end. He wasted no time in saddling her up before leading her from her stall and out into the open air.
Swinging his leg over the saddle, he adjusted his position and dug his heels into her flanks, giving her the signal to go forward. The foreboding light of the full moon lit his path as he set off at a gallop toward the woods.
Images of Melissa flashed through his mind as hot tears stung his eyes, regret filling his heart. He should have told her how much he loved her when he’d had the chance, but he hadn’t wanted to admit to himself that he’d been in love with her from the very start. She’d been such an instrumental part of the person he was becoming that the change had come in gradual increments, sneaking up on him until he hardly realized who he was when he looked in the mirror.
Taking a deep breath, he composed himself, feeling the icy wind whip through his hair as he neared the forest. A lone horse up ahead on the path caught his eye as he pulled on the reigns and slowed his mare.
A horse with a saddle could mean only one thing: a rider was not far behind.
Bringing his horse to a gentle trot, he slowly approached the beast before stopping and climbing down from the saddle. His heart began to pound in his chest as he noticed the markings on the pure white Mare. She was one of the thoroughbred horses he kept at the castle.
Ewan…
He hunkered down and slowly approached, leaving his horse’s reigns on a nearby branch.
Looking around, he tried to see if Ewan was hiding in a bush, but all he could make out was that someone had left his cart on the side of the path and released the horse. He was about to stand up straight when he suddenly heard a rustle from one of the bushes to the left. Thinking on his feet, he quickly hid behind a tree and ensured that his horse was just out of sight.
It wasn’t long before Ewan came stumbling out of the bushes, swearing under his breath as he straightened his kilt.
Waiting until the man was just in sight, Daniel leaped from his spot and tackled him to the ground.
“Let go of me!” Ewan yelped in pain as his arm hit a rock.
“Nae until ye tell me where me wife is!” Daniel managed to pin him down with one knee on his chest.
Ewan’s eyes suddenly filled with shock when he realized that it was Daniel who had tackled him to the ground. He stopped struggling and placed his hands on either side of his head.
