The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(57)

“I don’t like it, but I will do as you order.”

“Thank you. It eases my mind that I can count on you,” she said, and she smiled. “Good-bye and take care, Septimus.”

Carissa rode away, leaving Septimus staring after her. She didn’t know if she rode to her death or perhaps a fate worse than death. She only knew that she would not let the only friend she had ever had, the only person who had ever cared for her, die.

She would see Dykar free, and whatever fate had in store for her, she would accept.

She spurred her horse on and rode to meet her fate.





Chapter 24




Carissa remained on the edge of the woods, the open field stretching out before her, and waited. Her opponents had made one intelligent move when they chose the open field for the place of exchange. Though her bowmen were hidden in the surrounding trees, it was still a good distance for an accurate shot. Some of the men could probably hit their target, they were that skilled, but if even one missed, it would endanger Dykar’s life. So she had left orders that none were to release an arrow until Dykar was safe.

Five riders emerged from the woods on the far side of the field and, not wasting a moment, she rode forward. The sooner this was done the better for all. She kept her horse at a decent pace, not anxious or slow but appearing confident. Confidence, especially from a woman, seemed to intimidate men.

As she approached, she could see that Dykar had suffered a beating at their hands, and that made her angry. His lower right lip and chin were swollen, and the corner of his left eye had yet to finish bruising. She imagined he also had bruises elsewhere, and she was ready to take on these heathens herself for what they had done to her friend.

She slowed her horse as she reached them, seeing their smug grins, and knew they thought themselves victorious. How lucky that her father had taught her never to assume victory until you hold it in the palm of your hand.

She stopped a few feet in front of them. “Send my man to me.”

“No,” shouted the largest of the four mercenaries. “You come to us, then we will release him.”

“That’s not going to happen,” she assured them in a sharp tone.

“You don’t have a choice,” a skinny fellow who looked in need of a good washing said.

“But I do,” she said confidently. “I can turn around and ride away, or you can send my man to me.”

The four men laughed, and the largest said, “We’d stop you.”

“You could try,” she said, her horse sensing that battle approached and prancing impatiently.

The men grumbled among themselves, which gave Carissa more time to assess the situation. No doubt they would meet her demand, though once they did, she would need to move quickly, for to her their intention was clear…they would kill Dykar once he was a distance from them.

With Dykar’s hands tied, he wouldn’t be of much help, and she would have to move swiftly. She had dirks and daggers concealed on her person and in easy reach. Speed and momentum were her best allies. She couldn’t hesitate; if she did, all would be lost.

“You approach, and we’ll send him to meet you,” the skinny one ordered.

That was fine with her. It brought her closer to her targets.

She nodded, though her action was more a message to Dykar, and she knew he would read it wisely and be prepared. She had no time to free his hands to help her. The men would be on her before then, so he would do best to stay out of her way and out of the line of fire.

She moved forward, and one of them gave Dykar’s horse a slap that sent him forward as well. She whispered to her horse to hold steady and kept a cold stare at the men beyond, so that they would not take their eyes off her, leaving her hands free to reach for her weapons.

Dykar had almost reached her when she saw the skinny one move. She yelled for Dykar to get down, and as he slipped off the horse, all hell broke loose.



Ronan and his brothers’ group caught up with Septimus, who silenced them with a sharp-eyed reproach. He then motioned Ronan, Cavan, and Artair forward and pointed to the open field beyond.

Ronan couldn’t believe what he saw. Carissa sat alone out in the open facing five riders. Though she was petite, she appeared tall and poised atop her horse. Her shoulders were squared, and she held her head high. He could imagine her tongue was probably sharper than her sword and would inflict more damage.

Septimus kept his voice to a bare whisper. “We wait.”

Ronan looked ready to argue, but Septimus shook his head.

“Your impatience will endanger her and Dykar.”

Ronan didn’t like it, but he agreed and waited with little patience and a great deal of anxiety.

When Dykar began to ride forward, Ronan and his brothers were prepared to make their move, but once again Septimus cautioned their actions.