“Look!” Ella pointed to the trail up ahead where it veered into two, this road one that many travelers used with it being so close to Carron Harbor. “Your destrier has a heavier track mark on its front right hoof and your horse has veered away.”
He caught the clear impression too. His horse no longer being ridden toward the harbor but into the forest rising alongside the inner channel of the loch. She’d changed course. He shoved his knees into his destrier’s flanks and spurred his horse on. “I’m coming, my fiery one,” he whispered raggedly, his very soul crying out to hers. “I’m coming, and never will I let you go again.”
Chapter 7
An early evening mist clung to the shrub-lined trail as Fiona galloped through the woods toward Carron Castle. When she’d ridden from the tavern it had been with the intention of seeking passage on a vessel headed toward Iona, yet when the harbor had come into view, fear had struck her hard. Never could she live without Coll, or even attempt to do so, and even though he’d be furious about her return to his keep, she intended on making one final stand. Or at least she would once his anger had calmed.
Fallen leaves twirled along the pathway as she raced and a bone-deep chill invaded her body, making her shiver from the cold. No longer did the sun shine as it had this morn, but instead gray clouds obscured the skies high above. She wriggled in her saddle and tried to stretch tired muscles after the long hours of riding.
Onward, she raced, his war horse solid and powerful underneath her, until she finally emerged from the forested trail and pulled the beast to a halt. Carron Castle rose tall and strong along the cliffs overlooking the innermost point of Loch Carron, the sight so incredibly welcoming.
This was the place where she’d sought sanctuary after escaping Rhue Castle and Jeremiah, and this was the place where she wished to spend the rest of her life, and with the one man she loved more than anyone else.
She slapped her reins against the horse’s neck and spurred the beast on.
The head guardsman caught sight of her and she waved out and galloped under the main arch then drew her horse in as she reached the front step of the keep within the inner bailey.
She slung one leg over the side, dropped to the ground and tossed the reins to a lad who rushed forward. “Ensure our laird’s horse is well fed and brushed down.”
“Aye, mistress.” The lad led the horse away.
“And where would our laird be?” Kyla stood on the top step under the eaves in a burgundy gown, her hands braced on her hips and her golden-red curls lifting in the light wind.
“’Tis a very long story, but we are in fact mated and I cannae yet allow him to get away from me simply because he continues to deny our bond exists.” With her satchel slung over one shoulder, she walked across to her dearest friend and hugged her. “He still intends on speaking vows with Elizabeth, and I intend on confronting him again, although only once he’s calmed down. He’ll be beyond angry that I’m here when expects me to stay at Ardan.”
“He still intends to wed the MacRae’s daughter even though you are soul bound?” A disbelieving look flared in Kyla’s eyes, quickly followed by fury, the wave of emotion rolling from her matching her expression. “Cherub arrived here and I sent her to you, but you can be certain I’ll have a stern word with Coll as well when he returns. How can he continue to ignore the truth right afore his very eyes?”
“I’ve no idea, but I intend to make certain he no longer—”
“The laird returns!” The guardsman’s call echoed toward her and her heart almost catapulted from her chest.
Damn it. Coll should never have been able to follow her this fast, not when he had his bride-to-be to care for, only horses’ hooves indeed pounded then as two mounts hurtled under the arch, dust swirled into the drizzly mist. Nay, she needed more time to consider how to approach their next argument, for there surely would be one.
Coll bounded from his mount in thick black boots, his plaid belted around his waist and sword swaying at his side, a determined and fierce slash crossing his face. His black hair blazed blue on the ends, his locks disheveled and his piercing brown eyes flecked with gold landing right on her. “Fiona MacKenzie, you and I are about to have words.”
“I’ve got to go.” She dashed past Kyla and raced up the stairs to her chamber on the top floor.
“Halt!” Coll bellowed as he pounded after her, his booted steps ricocheting off the walls.
She skidded inside her chamber and slammed the bolt across.
“Open this door now!” Coll hammered and rattled the door.
“I dinnae want you anywhere near me until you’ve calmed down.”
All went suddenly quiet on the other side and she pressed her ear to the door.
“You’ll never bar me from your chamber again.” His voice rumbled from behind her and she spun around, her belly dropping to her feet as Coll shut the connecting door between their rooms and strode toward her.