“They are not traveling there,” the lead rider said, his voice smug. “’Tis but a tactic. They think we will avoid riding too close to King Robert’s forces. Before long, they will double back and then travel northeastward toward Lord Comyn’s stronghold.” He grunted. “The fools believe they will outsmart us, but they will not escape, especially not on foot.” He dug his boots into his steed’s flanks, and his men fell in behind him as he rode into the dense woods.
Aiden grimaced as the last horse faded from sight.
“We are too close to Scotland’s king,” she said, nerves edging her voice, “and must turnnortheast now.”
“’Tis too dangerous, and a move our pursuers expect. Scotland’s sovereign is a fair distance ahead, and we can start northeastward long before we reach any sign of his camp.”
She gave a shaky nod. “Now what? They know we are on foot, and soon the rest of their contingent will join them.”
Blast it, whenever possible he’d kept them traveling over the rocks, but with the ground soft from the rain, the knights had caught sight of impressions from their steps.
He crawled from the cover, helped her to her feet. “We continue to the cave. Walk in my footsteps.” He chose firm surfaces when available but damned the delay as several times he was forced to walk back to erase any imprints in thedrenched earth.
Aiden wiped the sweat from his brow as they topped the next brae. He glanced down, noted the sheen of perspiration on her face, her mouth grim with determination. However tired, the lass held her own.
The stand of trees around them grew denser, the thick cover overhead embracing them within its cool shadow. He walked on any fallen trees and sticks littered upon the ground, scanning their surroundings for any sign of movement, the glint of steel or scrape of hooves upon stone.
Again, the ground angled up. The churn of water ahead grew, smothering their labored breathing. At the top, the trees fell away.
Below, boulders jammed with brush lining the bank guided the rush of water below. In a violent play of might, the churn of white collided against the rain-swollen banks before plummetingover the ledge.
Above the pool, sunlight collided with the droplets hurled into the air by the pounding water, like the fey caught in a wild dance.
With a sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck, irritated by the errant thought. He wasn’t an innocent lad intrigued by stories of the wee folk from the Otherworld. The days of his youth, of time given to thoughts of fancy,were long past.
After a thorough scan to ensure the English weren’t about, he worked his way down the steep slope. As his feet hit the soggy earth surrounding the bank, he glanced back.
Gwendolyn moved with caution, choosing her every step with care. She paused, glanced up and met his gaze.
“The cave?” he mouthed against the thundering roar.
She nodded,eased past him.
He caught her sweet scent, and his body tightened with need. Ignoring her effect on him, he kept pace.
Gwendolyn detoured into the dense thicket. Several steps later, she knelt before moss-coated rocks and twigs. A smile tugged at her lips. “Watch.” She settled her palms atop the earthencover, shoved.
Foliage gave way as what had first appeared a solid boulder shifted, exposing an entry.
He crooked his brow. “Clever.” He knelt, followed her through the narrow opening, his forehead bumping against the sensuous curve of her derriere. He gritted his teeth, fought to stifle the unwantedsurge of heat.
She turned, her body but a hand’s breath away. “There are handles inside the cover. If you lift them as you pull, the stone enclosure will settleback in place.”
Aiden turned, caught the forged grips, and secured the door. Darkness encased them as he stood, and then his eyes slowly adjusted tothe dim light.
The muted rumble of water grew as she led him deeper into the tunnel, the passageway brighteningwith each step.
After a short distance, they entered a small chamber. In one corner, water roared in a violent spill past a stone opening. The sun’s rays glistened off the deluge, casting the cavern in aprism of light.
Gwendolyn walked to where several rocks were shoved together, pushed one against the wall, and then removed a small chest. From inside, she withdrew a candle, flint, and clumps of dried grass. With a deft hand, she struck the iron, and the tinder sparked to life.
Once the candle was lit, she smothered the grass, stored the items, then gestured to a blackened passageway at the back. “’Tis where we will stay until we leave.” She paused. “We are protected here. These chambers were designed so that even if we light a fire, it willna be detectedfrom outside.”
“Who else knows about this cave?” he asked, impressed.
“Nay one.” Flickers of yellow light wavered over the stone walls as she led him into the darkened corridor. “My great-grandfather oversaw the building of this refuge. ’Twas made if ever our family needed to escape. Only I know of its existence, and now you.”
“How isthat possible?”
