Page 113 of Bound to a Warrior
“Are you sure?” Carmag asked.
“She’s taken the dagger that Harry gave her. She intends to defend herself if necessary.”
“Or does she intend to return to her father?” Reeve asked.
Duncan ran at his brother with a fist and his father stepped between them.
“Enough,” Carmag shouted with such commanding intensity that the two stopped and backed away.
“Mercy loves me,” Duncan said.
“The reason she could be returning to her father,” Bryce said, “is to protect you. To protect all of us.”
“I can’t let her endanger her life to save ours,” Duncan said.
“You must,” a man shouted out.
Duncan narrowed his eyes, studying the couple that approached them. “Bailey?”
“Mercy went to the soldiers to free my wife, Kate,” Bailey said, holding on tight to his trembling wife.
Mara hurried over and directed the woman to a chair, though she refused to let go of her husband’s hand.
“Mercy was so brave,” Kate said through tears. “Much braver than I could ever be.”
“Nonsense,” Mara said. “You are here safe and sound so therefore you endured as any brave woman does.”
“Where is Mercy?” Duncan demanded, knowing in his heart, but needing to hear it.
“With the soldiers,” Bailey said.
“She’s returning to her father?” Bryce asked.
Bailey shook his head. “She plans to escape.”
“What makes her think she can?” Reeve asked.
“She doesn’t think she can,” Bailey said. “Sheknowsshe can.”
“That’s my Mercy,” Duncan said proudly.
“She’ll be returning to us then?” Mara asked.
Bailey looked to Duncan, shaking his head. “She has other plans.”
“Damn if she does,” Duncan said and looked to his brothers. “You’ll help me retrieve her.”
Before they could reply, Bailey spoke. “You can’t go after her.”
“Who are you to tell me that—”
“Not me,” Bailey said. “Mercy. I have a message from her to you.”
“Tell me,” Duncan demanded.
Bailey delivered the message. “She said to tell you that she loves you and always will and that she is safe and that you are to come for her when the time is right.”
“Did she say where?” Trey asked.
