“Well to be honest, that’s why he sent us. We were to keep you together and to keep watch on you to make sure you didn’t hurt her.”
“But why send gypsies?”
She smiled at that. “We’re not all gypsies. Lysander is one of Alex’s men. That’s why he refused to fight you with a sword. Had you two engaged, you would have known immediately he was a knight.”
“And you?”
“My mother is a gypsy and I fall under Alex for my protection. Viktor is my uncle and Bavel my cousin.”
Ewan shook his head. “I canna believe I was duped so easily.”
“Don’t blame Nora?—”
“Believe me,” he said, interrupting her, “I don’t. ‘Tis her father I want to strangle. How could he play with people’s lives like this?”
“Ewan?” Nora’s voice rang out.
Ewan looked past Catarina to see Nora standing at the opening of the stable.
“Could you please come out here for a moment?”
He frowned at her words. “Nora, there’s nothing?—”
“Please, Ewan,” she stressed the words. “I truly need you to come outside. Now.”
His frown turned into a scowl at her insistent tone. She sounded more like a mother trying to rein in an ill-bred child than a woman who should be contrite for her father’s behavior.
Angry, he headed for her.
It wasn’t until he neared the entrance that he saw she wasn’t alone.
Graham MacKaid was with her and he had dagger held to her throat.
“Make a move and she’s dead.”
Ewan froze. He wanted to turn around and see if Catarina was still in the stable, but didn’t dare lest he get her into trouble as well. With any luck, she would be able to sneak out and get one of the others to help with this.
“You wouldn’t dare harm her,” Ewan said slowly, stepping forward with his arms held up so that they wouldn’t get nervous and hurt Nora.
“Wouldn’t dare kill the king’s cousin?” Graham said his next words loudly as if wanting everyone to hear them. “Ewan MacAllister will kill whomever he pleases.”
Ewan took another step forward, intending to end this once and for all.
“One more step,” Graham snarled, “and she’s headless.”
Ewan froze. He met Nora’s fear-filled eyes and tried to offer her comfort. He had no intention of letting her be hurt by Graham or anyone else.
Whatever it took, he would see her safe.
“What do you want?” Ewan asked.
Graham smiled snidely. “You to stand there while my brothers take you.”
Ewan heard Catarina in the stable and his heart lurched in fear of Graham and his brothers finding her there. They wouldn’t hesitate to kill Catarina.
He didn’t know what Cat had planned. He only hoped she executed it carefully.
Ewan stood in silence as Graham’s two brothers tied his hands behind his back.
