Page 95 of The Winter Laird

“Your cousin?” Nioclas asked, bewildered. “But that would mean—”

“Yes,” she said hurriedly, “it does. He’s guarding the gate while I free you, and Donovan has his men attacking the Kildares—or Burkes, or whomever—any second now. So let’s get out of here!”

“Wait,” Nioclas said. He grabbed her and kissed her, hard. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied, smiling up at him. “And if I don’t get a chance to say it later…I love you. More than anyone, or anything.”

His eyes searched hers, and he kissed her again, but it was interrupted by her cry of pain. He released her. “What is it?”

“My arm,” she managed. “I think I tore my stitches when I was breaking your wrist locks. Burke cut me with his sword before you came to save me. It’s been healing, but I think I just did some damage to it.”

“My laird, I hear the sound of battle,” Kane interrupted.

Nioclas nodded once, then followed him up the stairs, keeping Brianagh close to his back, and allowed his fury to overcome any pain.

Burke would pay for many things this day.

Chapter 28

Colin handed Nioclas and Kane swords as soon as they ascended, and the four of them made it halfway across the lists before they were charged.

“Aidan and Donovan are in the great hall,” Colin said quickly. “You’re too weak to fight right now, Laird MacWilliam.” He pushed Bri and Nioclas behind him, then drew his sword. “Go! We’ll meet you there!”

Colin and Kane clashed swords with the two Kildares who still stood, and Nioclas and Bri ran for the wall. Slipping inside, he took her hand and together they ran the length of it, passing the crack where Erin and Bri had first spied on their husbands. Further down, the wall turned sharply left and narrowed. Slowing to accommodate the darkness, Nioclas gripped his sword and motioned for silence.

Brianagh followed him as they made their way closer to the castle proper. The wall began to widen slightly again, and they came to a halt at the end of the passageway, where they reached a stone wall.

“Dead end,” Bri whispered, her heart sinking.

Nioclas shook his head slightly, then gave a careful push. The wall opened a fraction.

Bri watched in amazement as Nioclas inched it open silently until he had enough space to see through the crack. He gave a mighty shove and pulled Brianagh into an empty chamber.

“I need to get you to safety,” Nioclas said in a low voice.

“Burke is after me,” she replied. “This is my battle, too.”

“Must you always argue with me?”

“Reilly asks me the same thing, all the time,” she replied pertly. “I know the plan, Nioclas. Trust me.”

“I do, but I don’t want you dead.”

“That’s good,” she said, “because I don’t want me dead, either. Let’s go finish this so we can finally get to living, okay?”

Nioclas kissed her hand, then tucked her behind him as he peeked out the chamber door. “All clear. Where to, my lady?”

“I’ve heard all great battles take place in the great hall,” she responded matter-of-factly, ignoring the sweat on her temple and fear in her heart.

“Then, by all means,” he replied grimly, “I shall go to the great hall. But I cannot fight with fear that you are not safe. Please, Brianagh. Do not follow me.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “But you’re weakened, Nick…”

“I have much to fight for, my love. Please.”

Hearing her strong warrior beg for anything caused her tears to overflow. She nodded wordlessly, then kissed him with every ounce of love in her soul.

“We run for the upstairs chamber with the strongest door. Once there, barricade the door, Brianagh, and let no one but me in, do you understand?”

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