Shocked filled her when she took in the scene. Somehow, Arthur had snatched a sword from one of the guards. At least three guards lay on the ground, either dead or severely injured, for none of them moved.
He swung his sword expertly, holding back the remaining men as best as he could.
Blood dripped down the side of his cheek, but whether it was his own or the blood of the men at his feet, Marissa could not tell. Either way, he did not seem gravely injured. At least, not yet.
Hold them off, Arthur. I will get help.
She prayed the words traveled to him, that God would hear her thoughts and keep Arthur safe just long enough for her to return with his men.
Marissa turned, gearing herself for another burst of speed, when suddenly her vision was blurred.
“And where do ye think ye’re goin’?” Eric asked, instantly wrapping his arms around her torso.
She yelled, thrashing as she tried to break out of his grip. She had no idea where he’d come from. She’d been certain that he was back on the beach, fighting with the other men when she’d lost sight of him.
Clearly, that was not true. Instead, he’d decided to peel off and lie in wait, waiting for the right moment to strike.
He is nay wolf. He’s a snake.
“Let me go,” Marissa grunted as she heaved her shoulders backward.
She felt the tip of her shoulder make contact with his ribs and was rewarded with a grunt as the wind was knocked out of him.
Remember what Michael taught ye. Ye have to keep calm. Ye have to keep fightin’.
When Eric had first grabbed her, she’d been facing his chest. But she had successfully wiggled herself around enough that he was holding her sideways. She jerked her head to the right, slamming it into his face.
There was a sharp pain in her temple as it made contact. But she knew that what she was feeling was nothing compared to the pain that Eric would be in, especially as she heard the crack of his nose.
Just as she’d hoped, his grip on her loosened, and he howled with pain. Marissa had just enough time to glance at him, a split second of a look that showed her blood pouring from the man’s nose as his hands flew to cup it.
She did not give herself any longer as her mouth quirked up in a feral, savage grin and she began to run.
Marissa ran harder than she ever had before. She got to the tree line that surrounded the loch.
Yes, I can use it as a cover. He willnae be able to see me. Mayhap I can do this.
She hurled herself through the trees, running as hard and as fast as she could. It wasn’t long before her chest began to burn and her lungs began to scream. But still, Marissa ran.
The sound of branches snapping and leaves crunching reached her ears as someone tore through the woods after her. No doubt it was Eric, chasing her once the blinding pain of his nose breaking had subsided.
“I willnae let ye get away from me, lassie!” he yelled, confirming exactly who was following on her heels.
The sound of his pursuit only spurred her to run faster.
Marissa crested a small mound. The edge of the woods opened up beneath her. She could see the sunlight bending through the trees, could just make it out as it filtered down to the grass.
The castle is just beyond there. I just have to?—
Pain lanced through her as he grabbed her hair, yanking her off her feet. All the air was knocked out of her lungs as she hit the ground with a thud.
“Ye willnae run from me!” Eric roared, his bloodied face filling her vision as he leaned over her.
Red droplets of spittle flew from his lips, his teeth stained with the blood trickling from his nose as he screamed.
“Ye little wench!” he yelled.
Marissa was dazed. When Eric had thrown her back, her head had hit the ground, making everything seem hazy.
