Page 105 of Bound to a Warrior
The second pounding shook the door before it sprang open.
Reeve barged in, not looking at all contrite. “You’re needed now!”
Duncan sprang out of bed and sent Mercy an apologetic glance.
“I’ll see you later,” she said and waved him off.
Duncan raced down the stairs behind Reeve.
“The mission comes first,” Reeve reminded.
“I know that.”
“Lately, it doesn’t appear that way.”
Duncan didn’t need a lecture. He knew Reeve was right, but he also knew how he felt about Mercy.
“I love Mercy and I intend to make her my wife.”
Duncan pulled back to avoid colliding with Reeve, he stopped so abruptly.
“The mission comes first,” Reeve reminded again.
“You don’t need to keep reminding me.”
“Don’t I?” Reeve asked. “There’s no time for love right now.”
Duncan shook his head. “I didn’t plan on falling in love.”
“Then put it on hold until the king takes the throne.”
“I can’t put love on hold, but I will not see the mission suffer for it,” Duncan said.
“Your word on that?”
“We all gave our word, I need not give it again,” Duncan said. “My word is my honor and you should know that.”
“Just making sure,” Reeve said.
“Enough about me, why the rush?”
“The messenger has returned.”
“So soon?” Duncan said. “It must be important.”
The two men bolted down the stairs, grabbed cloaks from the pegs by the door and ran out of the keep into the storm.
Trey, Bryce and his father were waiting along with Neil in the stables when Duncan and Reeve arrived.
The wiry little man sighed with relief and delivered his news in a rush. “The kingknowsthat his daughter has vital information pertaining to the true king, which is why he wants her kept alive.”
“How does he know for sure?” Trey asked.
“Evidence was found at the cottage,” Neil confirmed.
“What evidence?” Duncan asked.
“I don’t know for sure, though I heard mention of a burnt piece of cloth or hide and a servant who shared something she saw,” Neil said.
