True to the Highlander(93)

“Most of you will go through the main entrance. Liam and Galen, here’s where you must enter. Liam, have your man—”

“His man?” Malcolm frowned.

“Yes. Liam planted someone he trusts inside the keep long ago to look out for Mairen and to carry messages between them.” She glared at Malcolm for interrupting. “Liam, have him see to it the small door in the curtain wall is unlocked. And of course, he’ll return here with us.”

“You are no’ coming, lass.” Malcolm scowled.

“Of course not. I only got caught up in the plan.” The heat of a blush rose to her cheeks at her inadvertent slip. “I meant with you,” she muttered.





CHAPTER NINETEEN



Wake, mo céile.” Malcolm nudged her.

Alethia stretched and turned to him. “Is it time?”

“Aye.”

She pushed the warm furs back and sat up. Swinging her legs slowly to the floor, she gave herself a few moments to adjust. She’d made Malcolm promise to wake her before he and his men left for the Comyn keep, a day’s ride east of Loch Moigh.

“Go back to sleep, True. ’Tis no’ yet dawn.”

“No. I want to see you off.” She stood up and accepted the robe he offered. Malcolm had already dressed. She stepped into his open arms. His broadsword hung down his back, and a multitude of daggers were hidden all over his body. “Please be careful.”

“Always.”

“Remember everything we talked about when we planned.”

“I will.”

“I love you, Malcolm. Remember that.” She felt the rumble deep in his chest as he chuckled.

“How could I forget?” Lifting her chin, his mouth found hers in a lingering kiss. Stepping back, he ran a knuckle down her cheek. “Best leave now while I’m still able.”

Clutching the front of her robe together, she watched as he walked out the door, waited several seconds to be sure he’d really left, and then rushed to her trunk. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a leather tunic and slipped into her moccasins. Next she gathered her bow and the quiver of arrows and retrieved the pouch full of supplies she’d hidden under the mattress.

Wrapped in her wool cloak, Alethia crossed to the door and stuck her head out cautiously. She stepped into the deserted corridor, ran to the garderobe and cursed under her breath about the constant need to visit that particular room.

Near the kitchen, she hid in the shadows, peered inside and waited until backs were turned to slip past and out the back door, taking cover where she could along the path toward shore.

It had been easy enough to secure Ian’s skiff again. She had claimed she wanted to gather healing herbs on the mainland and explore the lake a little. No one had doubted or questioned her request. Her plans were a secret even from Hunter. If anyone had known, they would have stopped her. A pang of guilt sluiced through her for the worry she’d cause.

It was her job save Malcolm’s life, even if it meant putting herself and their child at risk. She could not remain behind knowing what she knew. And trusting someone else to perform the deed was out of the question. Only you can tip the scale, Alethia. Giselle had said the words sealing her fate, and now the time had come. She swallowed her fear and prayed for courage.

When she reached the shore and the hidden skiff, she took deep breaths to slow her racing heart and watched as the ferry loaded with men crossed the lake. She knew where Liam and Galen would split off from the rest of the party. They would approach Castle Rait from the rear. She planned to stay far enough back to escape detection. She’d join them once it was too late to be sent back.

Malcolm would be furious, but he’d be alive. She could bear his fury—not his death.

The ferry landed, sparking a flurry of activity as the men left the village. As soon as they rode over the crest of the first hill, she launched the boat, tossing her things into a heap on the bottom.

Other than a few tense moments trying to avoid detection by the stable master, everything went according to plan. She led Ikwe to a mounting block and climbed onto her back. All she had to do was remain hidden, and everything would be OK. Keeping her mare close to the forest, she stuck to the shadowy regions off the main trail and hung well back.

Liam and Galen split off from the rest of the group near midday. Alethia continued to keep her distance from them for another hour or so, then urged her mare into a gallop to catch up. She came over a small rise and reined to a halt in a panic. The two men had disappeared.

She scanned the ground and the horizon for any sign of them. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her eyes stung with tears. No matter. If necessary, she’d get there on her own.