Conall’s face turned to stone. He reached for the driver and tapped his shoulder. “When I say go faster, ye drive hard. Do ye hear?”
“Conall?” Brigid’s voice wavered.
Lily’s throat tightened. “What are ye going to do?”
Conall turned back to them, his face calm. He took Brigid’s hands and squeezed them gently. “Darling, do ye trust me?”
Her eyes glistened. “Aye.”
Lily leaned forward. “Ye daenae need to do this. We can find another way.”
Conall met her gaze. “With all respect, Lily, we arenae leaving ye. If ye stay, we stay.”
“They’re close, me Laird!” the driver shouted.
The men ahead raised their daggers, their stances expectant. Lily’s breathing quickened, and her heart pounded in her ears.
One of the men spat on the dirt. The second one smirked, and the third dragged his blade across his palm.
Lily felt the air around her thin as the carriage drew closer to them. Her heart pounded in her chest as she held on to the cushions.
“Now!” Conall roared.
The driver lashed the reins, and the horses surged forward. At the exact same time, the three men leapt at the carriage.
Lily squeezed her eyes shut.
The sound of screams and roars filled the air and faded just as quickly. She opened her eyes again and looked back.
The horses had trampled down two of the men. The third clung to the carriage, his hand latching onto the side. The wheels rattled, and he fell inside. Lily scrambled backward, her teeth chattering with fear.
The man sat up, panting hard. “Nowhere to run, witch.”
Brigid shrieked, and Lily remained frozen, her back pressed against her seat. However, before the man could do anything, Conall swung.
His sword cut across the man’s side, tearing deep. The man gurgled, coughed blood, then fell off the carriage, his body hitting the dirt.
Silence fell over the carriage one more time, and Lily let her head fall back against her seat.
Conall wiped the blood from his blade and sank down beside Brigid. His voice was steady, but his eyes were sharp. “I thought we only needed to worry about what followed behind. Now, it seems the road ahead is just as dangerous.”
Brigid clutched his arm. “Ye’re right. We must be ready.” Then, she turned to Lily, her face pale but resolute. “Sister, Conall is right. If ye are staying, so are we.”
Tears stung Lily’s eyes. She blinked them away, staring hard at the road ahead. “Then let’s pray we reach Timothy’s home before more men appear.”
CHAPTER 33
Alasdair walked down the passageway,the entrance to the Great Hall coming into view. Finn walked right beside him, his steady footsteps a sharp contrast to Alasdair’s urgent ones.
“I daenae like the look on yer face,” Finn commented, his voice low. “I wouldnae want ye to do something ye will regret.”
Alasdair ignored him, his gaze sweeping the halls. “Where is Nathan anyway? He should be here. I told him to help me get Thomas into a separate room.”
“Alasdair,” Finn tried again.
But Alasdair didn’t stop. His shoulders were tight, his chest heaving.
“Wait,” Finn snapped, and this time he caught Alasdair’s arm, forcing him to stop.
