"We need to go," Morag whispered in his ear. "Please.Please."
Her voice broke the spell, and together, they climbed onto Beatha's back and set off, racing after Alexandra as quickly as they could, knowing they'd be running for a long time yet.
Long after the clearing disappeared behind them, Christopher could feel Ian's eyes on his back.
They rode for hours,only stopping briefly and when absolutely necessary. They caught up with Alexandra quickly, and the three of them traversed the countryside that had marked Christopher's snow-covered journey to becoming Murdoch months before. The snow had gone, and so had Murdoch, and as spring blossomed over the Highlands, Christopher had never felt more of a Kincaid than he did now.
But though the scenery was beautiful, there was no forgetting that Rory was dead and that they were still being pursued. Five minutes to let the horses rest every now and again was all they could afford, and then they would hear the furious hoofbeats of their pursuers all too close and have to set off again.
Beatha stumbled as morning turned to afternoon, and Christopher worried that she had grown too tired with two people on her back. They were only a few feet from the Murray border, the castle itself less than half a mile away. The faintsound of horns called in the distance, but it was smothered by the cries of the soldiers who grew closer every second.
Christopher glanced over his shoulder and saw the foremost of the Campbell men emerging from the forest, bloodlust in his eyes.
"Dinnae look," he told Morag. He shouted over to Alexandra. "Dinnae look!"
They rode on, then, suddenly, they were across the border. They were so close to the outer wall of the castle now that Christopher could have shot an arrow and hit it, and the horns were blaring. Hope flared in his chest.
Then the outer doors burst open and there they were—Arran and Elsie—leading the charge, protecting him as they had always protected each other. Elsie's husband, Rolland, rode by her side, and behind them, a large group of Murray soldiers raced out on horseback, forming a protective circle around Christopher, Morag, and Alexandra. Arrows sliced through the air as men and women aimed from the tower, picking off any Campbell men who got too close.
They reached the castle gates, and Christopher turned again.
Just in time to see the Campbells retreating.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
In the courtyard of Murray Castle, with the gates of both sets of walls firmly closed behind them, Christopher at last felt like he could breathe again. His whole body was numb and tingling from the adrenaline and regret and pain, but also from the relief and joy.
He dismounted, taking a second to steady himself, then reached up to help Morag down. She slid into his arms and he pulled her close, holding her against him in a crushing hug, his heart pounding in time with hers. For a few moments, there was nothing beyond the two of them together and safe at last.
"Christopher!"
He pulled back from the hug but never let go of Morag's hand as he turned to see his sister approaching with Rolland at her side. Arran was nearby, trying to coax a pale and shaking Alexandra down from Splendor's back. A small group of others surrounded them, including Seamus and Flora Murray, as well as Brid and Liam.
"Elsie," Christopher said. "I?—"
"How could ye leave like that? We've waited formonthsfor word from ye! People doubted ye! They thought ye were a traitor! They thought ye were dead!" Elsie yelled, slapping at hisarm. "Ye eejit! Yefool!" Then she threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.
Christopher hugged her too, though only with one arm, not willing to let go of Morag's hand just yet. When Elsie pulled back, she looked over at Morag and her smile faltered slightly.
"Of all the people I expected tae see again…" Elsie started.
Morag paled, but Christopher intervened. "I ken what ye're thinkin', Elsie, but ken that I'm only alive and here now because of Morag. She saved me life. Nae just once, but over and over again. For whatever faults she’s had, she's on me side. Onourside."
Elsie burst into tears, the emotion in her breaking her down, and to everyone's surprise she threw her arms around Morag too. Morag gasped and met Christopher's eyes. Christopher smiled an exhausted smile and watched as, ever so tentatively, Morag hugged his sister back. Yes. There was hope here, even in the most unlikely places.
Morag's stomachsquirmed with nerves as she sat next to Christopher in the Murray Council room, his warm hand in hers the only thing keeping her steady. She remembered the last time she had been here with great shame, and she found it difficult to meet anyone's eyes, especially Elsie's and Rolland's.
But, though these people had every reason to distrust and hate her, Morag was shocked and humbled to discover the kindness and gentleness with which they treated her. Brid tended to her minor wounds while Kenna brought her some strong wine, and Flora actually hugged her on the way past her to sit down.
"Yer maid arrived," Kenna explained. "Mary. Dinnae fear, me sister and I are takin' care of her. She's exhausted, but well. She's sleepin' now."
Relief coursed through Morag at that, and she sagged in her chair, almost crying as it all hit her at once. Kenna left after that, and while the rest of the council took their seats, Morag looked at Christopher. He smiled at her, and that smile gave her the strength to do what needed to be done. She let him speak first, waiting for her chance to share anything—everything—that they needed to overthrow the Campbells once and for all.
"I'm sorry I left as I did. Please send tae me parents and tell them I'm safe, and beg their forgiveness on me behalf. Cassie as well. But I kent I couldnae let the opportunity pass. I needed everyone tae think I'd betrayed ye, even meself, so that I could be Murdoch Campbell and infiltrate the Campbell stronghold," Christopher started.
Everyone fell silent, all eyes attentively on him. Arran pressed his lips together, his arm around Alexandra, who was staring unfocused at the table.
"I needed tae ken his plans. I needed tae gather whatever information I could tae save all of us."
