Page 93 of Bound to a Warrior
And why did he seek her return so tenaciously?
The questions troubled her and she would need to find the answers.
“I think we can climb down now,” Mercy said softly to Rand.
“Safe?” he asked.
“I think we’ll be safe, though we should be as quiet as we can be.”
Rand nodded and Mercy smiled.
It took less effort to climb down than it did up and in no time they were on the ground. Rand remained clutched to Mercy and she took quick steps to get them away and closer to home.
She took no more than a few steps when a man stepped out from among the dense trees. Startled, she stumbled back, righted herself and then realized he looked familiar.
“Bailey?” she asked.
“Aye, it’s me.”
Rand hugged her neck tight.
“It’s all right, Rand. I know this man and he won’t harm us,” she said, glaring at Bailey as if defying him to deny it.
Bailey reached out and tickled Rand under the chin. “I’m a friend.”
Rand laughed, though kept firm hold of Mercy.
“Are you?” she asked.
“We should return to the keep. It’s not safe here,” he said.
Mercy nodded and began walking, Bailey following beside her.
“I climbed trees when I was a lad,” Bailey said.
“Like to climb,” Rand said and yawned.
They walked a bit in silence and when Rand’s head finally hit Mercy’s shoulder in sleep, she said, “You knew we were in the tree when you spoke with the soldier.”
Bailey nodded.
“The noise I heard. You purposely made it to warn us.”
Bailey nodded again.
“I don’t understand.” Mercy shook her head. “You helped Duncan and me once and you warn me now. Why then do you help the soldiers?”
“They have my wife.”
Mercy gasped.
“We left shortly after you and Duncan stopped at our cottage. Though we were cautious they found us and claimed us enemies of the king. Of course they had no proof of anything, but still they took us prisoners along with others they had taken captive for various reasons. All I could think about was the safety of my wife and unborn child.”
“Where is Kate?”
“I’m not sure where they took her. When I was told I could save her and my child, it didn’t matter to me what I had to do. I knew I would agree to anything and so did they. I was told that if I found you and brought you to them, Kate and I could go free.” He shook his head. “I had no choice.”
“Of course you didn’t,” she said.
