“You planned to kill her?”
“Aye, and almost succeeded,” he admitted, needing to cleanse his soul of his sin. It was important that Cristina and his brothers understand the reason behind his actions. He shifted, gasped at the slap of pain. Sweat broke out on his brow, and he wiped his forehead. “I had but caught up to her when Alexander found us. When I threatened Lady Nichola with a knife, he dove on top of me.”
Her eyes widened with shock. “Your brother tried to kill you?”
At the thrum of hooves, he glanced over to see Alexander drawing to a halt before them. Patrik nodded, faced Cristina. “Alexander was protecting Lady Nichola, a woman he loved. During the fight, my dagger fell to the ground, wedged against a rock. As we grappled, I rolled onto the blade.”
“So that was the reason your brothers believed you dead,” she whispered. Cristina shook her head. “How is it you lived?”
“A fact I would be curious to know also,” Alexander said as he dismounted.
Patrik met his brother’s hard gaze. “The guard sent with my body to Lochshire Castle that day was loyal to me. I must have moved, groaned, something to alert him that I lived. Through the pain, I knew naught of where he rode, nor did I care. Thankfully, I fell into blackness. Later, when I awoke, I learned I was at his cousin’s hut. The guard explained he’d dug and filled a grave, then informed everyone it was mine.”
Alexander grunted. “And believing our man loyal, neither I nor Seathan nor Duncan, thought to question his words.” His mouth tightened. “Where is he?”
“Riding beneath Sir Andrew de Moray’s colors.”
Alexander grunted. “And that is where he should stay.”
Patrik said no more. To Alexander, the Scot had betrayed him, even though his act had saved Patrik’s life. Well he knew Alexander’s ability to carry a grudge. Would his brother ever truly forgive him? Did he even deserve such absolution? Unsure of anything, he shoved to his feet. Pain screamed through his body, and his legs threatened to give.
Cristina scrambled to his side, caught his arm in support. “What are you doing? You must rest until we depart.”
“Which is why I am here.” Alexander glanced at Cristina, his face hard. “You are to ride in the wagon with the woman and child.”
Instead of backing down, she held her own. “With the graveness of his injuries, Patrik should travel there as well. If space is short, I will ride.”
Alexander scowled. “You will not be given your own horse.”
The hardness within his brother’s words set Patrik on edge. “Cristina, go help Marie and Joneta stow the last of their belongings.”
She hesitated. “Patrik—”
“Go.” Patrik nodded. “All will be well.”
Doubt flickered on her face. With a final cool glance at Alexander, she headed to where Marie was packing her belongings into a wagon.
Several long seconds passed. Alexander crossed his arms. “An interesting lass. She claimed you saved her from English knights.”
“Aye. I came across the bloody bastards about to rape her.”
Blue eyes narrowed. “Did you kill them?”
“Aye.”
“Good.”
For a moment, a sense of camaraderie settled between them, a taste of the bond he wanted back.
“Cristina deserves not your anger,” Patrik said. “She sought to protect me when she believed you a threat.”
“She did.” His brother’s eyes hardened. “To let you know, had I wanted to kill you a year past, the deed would have long been done.”
“Yet you allowed me to live.”
“A decision I still question.” Alexander hesitated. “I know not if I can find forgiveness for you.”
Emotion scraped Patrik’s throat. He nodded.
