Page 75 of Surrendering to her Highland Captor
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FOR LOVE AND WAR
James rode at a break-neck speed towards the McGregor Keep. It was reckless to push his horse to run so fast. Taking the forested roads as quickly as he was put his horse’s life and his own life in danger. But James knew that his life wouldn’t matter if Taryn was already gone.
“I’m coming to ye, lass,” James whispered, the wind whisking away his words before anyone else could hear.
Not that there was anyone even remotely close to him. Fifty McKenzie soldiers were trailing after him, battle ready, but they moved at a much slower pace. Even Arran and Christopher were following him, though their horse was kept at the back of the group, far away from any danger. Only Lachlan and Aila came close, sailing through the air on Knight, the giant warhorse that had led him to her. It was a magnificent beast he’d always be grateful to. But the warhorse, though impressively large, was weighed down by carrying both of them. They were still several paces behind.
All James cared about was Taryn. He had to get back to the keep before the Laird had made his decision, before he had enough time to enact anything. He couldn’t let himself thinkthat anything else might have happened. He wouldn’t dare to go down that dark path.
Twisting over his shoulder, he caught sight of Aila surging Knight on, farther and faster, Lachlan’s eyes scanning their surroundings, hand on his sword. It was a comforting sight; to know that not only had James managed to find an army and bring them to Taryn’s rescue, but be able to tell himself that if he was too late, he would have someone by his side who loved Taryn as much as he did was a great relief.
The traveling army sounded like thunder was rolling over the Highland hills. The hoofbeats, despite the distance between James and the others, were a booming call that sanity was returning to the McGregor clan.
Aila nodded, her face serious and focused. James took her cue, twisting back in his saddle, spurring his horse on once more. For the first time since he left home searching for Taryn, he knew he wasn’t alone in his quest. He knew that no matter what they encountered when they reached the McGregor Keep, Aila would be by his side. It was apparent that the relationship she and Taryn shared was the same sister-like bond that Taryn had once had with Laura. He knew that Aila would do whatever it took to see Taryn safe.
The distance passed in a blur and every mile they grew closer, James felt his mind become a little more unsettled, a little more unhinged. He felt reckless, riding without abandon, the only thought in his mind was Taryn. Making it back to her side was his sole driving force.
“Please dinnae let me be too late,” he whispered again, sending his prayer to the heavens.
“Slow down!”
Glancing behind him, he saw Lachlan waving an arm, trying to gain his attention. Everything inside of him demanded that he keep going, that he press on. Taryn needed him more thanhe needed his own life. But the rational part of James’ mind told him that it would do Taryn no good if he was flung from his horse and injured, or worse, before he could save her. With Lachlan as their lookout, he knew that it was best for him to heed the Laird’s warning. So, doing as instructed, James pulled back on the reins, slowing his horse to a more sensible trot.
Steam billowed off his horse’s neck as droplets of sweat trickled down through his hair.
“Good, lad. Ye are doing so verra well. Apples and carrots for ye for the rest of yer life if ye get me to her in time.”
The whispered promise sent the horse’s ears back, flickering in approval. James rubbed a gentle hand over the thickly corded muscle affectionately, waiting for Aila and Lachlan to catch up.
“Are ye trying to get yerself killed?” Lachlan shouted once they were within earshot.
James shrugged off his concern.
“I am merely trying to get to Taryn in time. That is all that matters.”
“So ye love her, then.”
Aila had phrased her words as an accusation rather than a question, but James answered it all the same. He couldn’t deny what he felt; he wouldn’t deny it. After spending their shared childhoods with a youthful crush, then going on the emotional journey the last three years have been, blaming Taryn for his sister’s fate, and finally seeing the woman Taryn had blossomed into, James wasn’t going to let another second go by without being honest.
“Aye. I love her.”
It surprised him how easily the words slipped from his mouth. He wasn’t sure exactly when the feelings had emerged, cementing themselves in his heart, but he was done trying to fight them. Taryn was so easy to love, so easy to adore. He knew that if the rest of the clan was given the chance to know herwithout the fear of their livelihoods hanging over their heads, he knew they would see that too.
“Do ye ken what that means?” Lachlan pushed, his face as serious as James had ever seen it.
There was a gleam of mistrust still lingering in his gaze. James knew that although Aila believed him, understood his love and dire need to protect Taryn, Lachlan was less sure. James didn’t blame the man. He doubted that he would react any differently if James was ever in Lachlan’s position. To anyone else, it would seem as though he were leading them into a trap. James simply had to wait until they reached McGregor land for Lachlan to see that James was being honest. And James had to continue the same level of candor, if he wanted the same level of support.
“It means that I will do anything to see her safe,” James answered resolutely. “I will do anything to see her happy. That is all I want.”
“Will ye betray yer clan? Leave behind any and all family ye have ever kent if that is what it takes to get her out alive? Will ye walk away from the only home ye have ever kent and be ready to run for the rest of yer life?”
Stunned, James didn’t answer. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of these things—he had, dozens of times. He had wondered if he would ever get to say goodbye to his parents or collect the mementos that meant the most to him before he made a new life for himself.
What surprised him was that Lachlan felt as though he had to ask the question at all. Of course, James was more than willing to risk everything for Taryn, including his life. That was what it meant to him to love someone. He didn’t know any other way.
“If we march into the Keep and yer Laird McGregor is nae willing to hear us out, if he is nae willing to change his plans, or, God forbid, he has already carried them out, there will be a battleon our hands. We will have to fight our way out.” Lachlan said, the two horses trotting side by side. “Ye must be ready to turn yer sword against yer clan, against the people ye have grown up kenning. It will be a fight against yer friends. Are ye ready for that?”
