A portion of the wall slid open, exposing a black void.
Aiden strode over, the deep, rich scent of sea air from the tunnel strong. “This leads directlyto the shore?”
“Aye. It also branches off to several paths beneath the castle.”
He nodded. “Tunnels we will use when we return to reclaim the stronghold.”
Eyes dark with worry held his. “How? The knights Lord Comyn sent to guard the castle have been killed. We have naught but you, myself, and the handful of knights I sent with Sir Pieres. And the two knights who rode in with you.” Her face was pale. “Mary’s will, they—”
“Are out hunting,” Aiden finished. “I will tell Sir Pieres to warn themnot to return.”
She gave a shaky nod.
“Once we meet with your guard, I will decide the best course of action. That we still have the element of surprise gives us an advantage. Hurry; gather the few things you musthave with you.”
As she rushed about the chamber, he grabbed a basket of bread, wine, apples, and cheese, and set themin the tunnel.
Gwendolyn lit a candle. “After I overheard the duke, I used a tunnel that has a concealed exit in the kitchen to hide extra food stores where Sir Pieres and his menwill meet us.”
“Excellent.”
Eyes blazing, she angled her jaw. “’Tis our castle we retake. Whatever I can do to aid ourcause, I will!”
Aiden’s breath caught as he took in his warrior wife standing strong and fearless beside him, as fierce as any knight. Aye, they would seize Latharn Castle, though for a purpose far from what she believed.
He clasped his dagger’s handle, scanned the chamber one last time, his gaze pausing on the bed. Hours before, too aware of Gwendolyn, her taste, the softness of her skin etched in his mind, he’d worried about the night ahead. Now, foolishly, he yearned for the uninterrupted hours lost.
A dangerous thought. Whatever bond they’d built was constructed upon a foundation of deceit.
He must keep his mind on his mission. “Wehave to hurry.”
The candle flickering in her hand, she clutched her bag in the other and looked one final time around the room, as if memorizing it. Eyes filled with determination met his; then she stepped into the tunnel.
Mouth tight, he followed, sealed the entry behind him.
* * * *
Guided by the flicker of flames, Gwendolyn allowed herself a moment of despair as she made her way through the twists and turns of the passageway. Though Bróccín believed they could reclaim the fortress, doubts battled the glimmers of hope.
An ache built in her chest, and she struggled against thoughts of never seeing her home again. The last time she’d seen her father, she’d promised to do whatever was necessary to keep her legacy safe. Now, regardless that she’d wed the noble chosen by Lord Comyn, however fierce a warrior, a real chance existedshe would fail.
A drip of water dropped in the blackness ahead, the scent of the sea growing stronger with each step. As she rounded the next turn, the crash of waves echoed in the distance.
“How much farther?” Bróccín’s deep voice reverberated in the gloom.
“A short way.” On a steadying breath, she stepped down several strategically placed rocks. Behind her, the steady pad of boots sounded, the thrum of confidence inhis every step.
What if her husband was wrong and they couldn’t recapture her home? She shook her head with disgust at her doubts. When had she become a spineless fool who surrendered at the first sign of adversity? Bróccín was a man of war, one trusted by Comyn to defend her, a man who in the brief time she’d known him had earned her respect.
If he believed they would retake her home, regardless his plan, she would givehim her trust.
The faint waver of torchlight illuminated the scarred walls ahead, and through an opening, she caught shadows moving about. Her shoulders sagged with relief. “My men are there.” She led her husband into the large chamber. Twenty knights rested near chests filled with blankets and the food she’d leftthere earlier.
Hand clasping his sword’s hilt, Sir Pieres jumped up from a rock cropping. Recognition flickered in his gaze, and he released his weapon. “Thank God you were able to escape. The stateof the castle?”
“’Tis under the duke’s control,” she replied, “except he doesna know we have slipped out.”
“A fact he will soon discover when we dinna appear to dine,” Bróccín said.
