Leon didn’t argue this time. He barked commands to the guards waiting in the corridor, their armor clattering as they ran off into the rain.
When the last of them were gone, Leon turned back. “Rob,” he said carefully, “ye ken who did this, don’t ye?”
Robert’s gaze lifted to the window where the rain streaked down the glass like blood. “Aye,” he said. “Mack Little.”
The name left his mouth like a curse.
Leon swore quietly. “Christ, that fool. I told ye he’d had a look in his eye that night at supper. Thought he’d drink himself quiet, but?—”
Robert moved before Leon could finish, his stride controlled but filled with a cold, steady rage. “He’ll not drink anything again if he’s touched her.”
They reached the great hall in silence. Guards had already dragged in a man, one of Mack’s minions, soaked to the bone and reeking of ale and fear. He dropped to his knees the moment Robert entered.
The hall fell silent.
Robert didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to. “Where is he?”
The man’s head jerked up, eyes wide. “M–me Laird, I swear, I daenae ken!”
Robert’s boots struck the flagstones as he crossed the space between them. “Think carefully,” he said, his voice cold. “Because I’ll only ask once more.”
The man hesitated, a fatal mistake. Robert’s hand shot out, fisting his collar and dragging him upright before slamming him against the edge of the table. Dishes rattled, and a candle toppled.
“I’ve no patience for liars,” Robert said quietly. “Tell me where Mack took her.”
The man sputtered, his face turning red. “I—I daenae ken, I swear it! He was mad, talking about making ye pay, about taking what was rightfully his.”
Robert’s hand shifted, tightening around his throat. “Where?”
A strangled sound escaped him. “The woods!” he gasped. “North, near the old hunting hut by the ridge! He said he’d kill ye first then claim her for himself!”
A muscle ticked in Robert’s jaw. Slowly, he released him.
The man crumpled to the floor, coughing and clutching at his neck. Leon exhaled sharply. “Rob?—”
But Robert was already striding toward the doors.
“Wait!” Leon caught up with him. “Ye cannae go alone!”
Robert stopped, turning around. His expression was pale and furious. “If I wait, she dies.”
Leon shook his head. “Then take men. Let me gather-” “There’s no time.” Robert’s tone left no room for argument. Leon swore under his breath. “Then I’m coming with ye.”
Robert’s gaze softened slightly. “Ye’re needed here. If I fail, ye’ll know where to start burning.”
Leon frowned. “Burning?”
“The forest,” Robert said simply. “If I’m not back by dawn, burn it to the ground.”
He didn’t wait for a reply.
The courtyard was chaos, stable lads shouting, horses stamping in the mud. The rain came harder, drenching him before he even reached the gate.
“Me Laird!” one of the guards called out. “The roads will flood before ye make the ridge!”
Robert swung into the saddle in one movement. “Then I’ll swim,” he said and drove his heels into the horse’s flank.
The animal lunged forward, hooves pounding against the sodden earth.
