Page 81 of Bound to a Warrior
“They tease,” Duncan said to Mercy.
“But who? You or me?” She smiled and walked away, forcing him to follow.
He was surprised by her sudden, determined gait and that she remained a few steps ahead of him, not beside him or with her hand clasped in his. Once outside her steps took on a more rapid pace.
“Anxious to be free?” he asked curious as to her sudden rush.
She didn’t stop or turn around. “I have a promise to keep.”
“A promise?” he asked rubbing his chin.
“You don’t remember?”
It struck him then. “I get my kiss.”
He rushed forward, with no doubt what looked like an idiot’s grin on his face, and scooped her up into his arms. “I can get us there faster.”
They laughed, and though Duncan was eager for her to kiss him, once the chains were removed, everything would change.
Mercy turned her face away as the hammer came down on the edge of the metal cuff braced on the anvil. She thought her wrist would shatter from the vibration, but she kept her fear to herself. Duncan had withstood the ordeal without complaint or grimace and he was free, his metal cuff gone. She intended to do the same, though she was glad he remained by her side, not leaving her to face this on her own but to share his strength.
Harry had insisted that he remove Duncan’s cuff first, explaining that it would be safer for Mercy.
She braced herself for another blow and this time she couldn’t help but wince.
Harry grumbled beneath his breath.
“What’s wrong?” Duncan asked, stepping forward, though Harry had warned him to keep a distance.
“This cuff is heavier than yours,” Harry explained. “I’ve seen it used before on prisoners the king wants to make certain can never escape, can never be free.”
“You can get it off, can’t you?” Duncan asked.
Harry rubbed his bald spot repeatedly.
Trey suddenly appeared, a bit out of breath. “We need to talk now.”
“I can’t leave her,” Duncan said and looked to Harry. “Can you?”
Harry examined the cuff again and again rubbed his bald spot.
Reeve arrived. “Father’s waiting.”
“He won’t leave her,” Trey said.
“You’re free, she’s brave, so say you. What’s the problem?” Reeve asked.
Duncan ignored them both and focused on Harry. “Tell me you can get the damn cuff off her.”
“I can get it off, but I can’t promise I won’t damage her wrist doing it.”
Duncan turned to his brothers. “Tell Father whatever it is must wait. I will not leave Mercy to go through this alone.”
“It sounds important,” Mercy said, not truly wanting him to go, but not wanting him to think that she couldn’t handle it on her own. She didn’t want to think she couldn’t handle it alone. She might have Duncan right now, but there was no telling what the future would bring, especially with her father wanting her to return home. He was a man who always got his way and didn’t care what he had to do to get it.
“It will wait,” Duncan said, sending his brothers a sharp look that had both of them taking a step back.
“Is there anything we can do?” Reeve asked.
