Page 40 of Bound to a Warrior
Her head shot up. “Let’s see if you can keep up with me.”
The night was too dark for him to see her bewitching blue eyes, but he knew they shimmered with determination. And that sultry voice of hers quivered with annoyance that he should even doubt her.
“It is good that the moon is but a sliver tonight, providing us with a cloak of darkness. However, it also burdens our steps, since the terrain surprises with rocks that hide amongst the grass.”
“We will make it before sunrise?” Mercy asked.
“We should have time to spare, allowing us to seek the shelter of the thick woods that lie beyond.”
“We will seek shelter there for the day?” she asked, a yawn rushing out afterwards.
“I know you must be exhausted, but if we can keep going for a few more hours it would bring us that much closer to my home, which we can reach within a day’s time, two if we slow our pace.”
“Truly?” she asked with enthusiasm, though she didn’t allow him to answer. “We could soon sleep in a bed. I could bathe. Have clean clothes.”
He didn’t interrupt her and he didn’t remind her that they could also be free, their shackles gone. Soon they could sleep alone for the first time in nearly two weeks and for some reason he didn’t care for the thought. He wondered if she felt the same.
“What are we waiting for?” she asked standing. “Let’s be on our way home.”
He liked the sound of that. “On our wayhome.” She was already thinking of his home as hers and he felt a sense of relief. Though his mission had to remain first in his mind, there was no reason he couldn’t pursue her and see where it took them. Though he had no doubt she would occupy his bed before long, and once there? He doubted he’d ever let her leave it.
He stood and clasped hold of her hand, more determined than ever to keep hold of it. And with that thought in mind he led them out of the woods and into the field.
They spoke not a word, both understanding that their voices would easily resonate over the empty expanse. And their hands remained firmly locked together, so that they could help balance each other’s steps.
It was a dance of sorts, he even lifting her in graceful form before she took a tumble, her foot catching now and again on rocks strewn in her path. The walk was going more smoothly than Duncan expected, though he was not foolish enough to be overly confident.
He kept their pace steady, not rushed or unhurried and he kept his ears alert. He was familiar with the sounds and creatures of the night. He and his brothers had often bedded beneath the stars and he would lay awake thinking, dreaming and hoping for a victorious outcome to the mission they had not only trained so hard for, but had dedicated themselves to.
So as soon as the unfamiliar sound reached his ears, he slowed his steps, Mercy following his, until he came to a complete halt.
He pressed a finger to her lips, cautioning silence and then tapped her ear so that she would know to listen.
The sound came again, though this time it was familiar. It was the snorting of horses.
He felt Mercy tense beside him and her fingers wrap tighter around his. He tugged her hand, signaling for her to follow and she did spreading out in the grass alongside him.
He thought a moment and didn’t like his own conclusions. No doubt soldiers either waited for them in the woods or were camped there for the night. And there was no telling how many. The snorting could have come from a couple to several horses.
With his lips pressed against Mercy’s ear, he murmured, “We’re going back.”
She nodded and they slowly stood, though remained crouched as they turned and began to make their way back to where they had started.
He wanted to run, gain speed and not stop until they returned to the safety of the forest, but that would have been a foolish move. Surely, the soldiers would hear their rushing footfalls and though dark, one or two brave ones might attempt to hunt them down.
A shout froze them a few feet from the woods.
“Nate?”
Duncan grabbed the chain so it wouldn’t make a sound and rolled over on Mercy, shielding her just as a soldier and his horse walked out of the woods.
“Quit shouting, you fool,” a strong voice answered.
Nate paid no heed. “Someone was to relieve me hours ago.”
“Stay put until he arrives. I don’t intend to miss catching the pair if they try to cross.”
“When’s he coming?” Nate shouted.
