Page 114 of Bound to a Warrior
Duncan shook his head. “I know where she is.”
“She said you would know and that it was better that no one else did,” Bailey said.
“She is a wise woman,” Bryce said. “She gives you the freedom to pursue your mission without worry over her.”
“Bryce is right,” Reeve said. “What Mercy did was selfless and in the best interest of the true king. She showed how much she can be trusted and how much she loves you.”
“That is all well and good,” Duncan said. “But what if she can’t escape the soldiers?”
Chapter 33
Mercy never thought much of being her father’s daughter. He had been remote most of the time, paying her little heed, consumed mostly by his own needs and wants. He had a harsh, berating nature at times and was often impatient with those who served him. And being she was her father’s daughter, wouldn’t the soldiers expect her to be similar? Besides, she wanted the soldiers to grow annoyed listening to her demands and whines so that they would ignore her soon enough, giving her time to make her escape.
“You’re all idiots to think that I would remain with the enemy,” she said for the hundredth time and had to keep herself from smiling when she caught several soldiers rolling their eyes. “My father shall hear about how you treated me, chaining me to a foe and threatening to kill me,” she yelled. “He will see you all punished.”
One of the soldiers mumbled something, and while she had heard him, she pretended she hadn’t. “What did you say? Speak up, if you dare.”
The soldier grumbled an apology and trotted his horse several feet in front of her.
His remark should have disturbed her, but it hadn’t. He simply confirmed what she had believed.
Your father will not suffer you for long.
And she not need suffer her father’s soldiers for long.
“I am hungry. I demand you get me food now, or I shall tell my father that you all purposely starved me.”
In minutes she was handed several food items, which she gladly concealed in the small satchel attached to her waistband. It would provide her with larder until she reached Bliss.
Mercy continued her complaints until nearly all of the soldiers kept a wide berth around her. And the few stragglers were already drifting ahead of her.
“I need to stop and seek the privacy of the woods,” she called out.
The soldier in charge waved at her. “Do as you must.” He continued on, not paying her a bit of attention.
She thought to take her horse with her, but she feared it might be trained to return to the soldiers, so she dismounted and tethered her to a branch, then made her way into the woods.
She noticed that not one of the soldiers paid her heed and she knew she had time to make her escape. If she could at least reach Pict territory before the soldiers discovered her gone, then she knew she’d be safe. And there she could wait for Duncan.
The thought of him conjured memories and hopes of the future. She loved him so very much. She had hoped to love but never imagined she would love anyone as strongly she did Duncan. It wasn’t easy leaving him. Her heart ached as if it had been broken and yet she knew it had been the wisest thing to do.
The true king needed him and while she had once thought him merely a myth, her journey with Duncan had made her realize that he was no such thing. He was real and Duncan was one of many who fought so that he could claim the throne.
How could she stand in the way of destiny?
Besides, Duncan and her fate were entwined and she would need to be patient, for when the time was right he would come for her and all would be well. She would believe no other way.
She was meant for Duncan, as he was meant for her and that thought gave her courage and helped her keep a pace that might be grueling, but to her was a run for freedom.
Her only regret was that she had been unable to see him, touch him, kiss him one last time before she left. She did not know how long it would be before they reunited; she hoped not long. She already missed him, but knew her decision had been for the best.
She shook her head and cautioned herself against ruminating about what was or might be. She had to reach her destination before the soldiers discovered her gone, or her plan would be for naught.
Mercy hurried through the woods, dawn having broken on the horizon hours ago, and since there had been no sign of Duncan following her, she knew that Bailey had been successful in delivering her message.
The thought hastened her pace. Nothing would stop her from reaching Pict land. She would do whatever it took to seek a safe place and wait for Duncan. He would come for her; she had no doubt. And no matter how long it took, she would wait for him.
“No need to tell you how important it is that this message gets delivered,” Carmag reminded Duncan. “Your brothers deliver the other messages. Time draws near, we cannot fail. This is what has been planned and what you and your brothers trained for all those years. And it is what you all pledged—to see that the true king sits the throne.”
