"Mairiana, I'm coming for you!" Alec shoved Darack aside and bounded onto the steps.
Darack quickly recovered and grabbed Alec's ankle as he climbed the steps. He tried to kick Darack's hand away but there was no way in hell he was letting go. He dragged the whoreson back until he toppled onto the dungeon floor. But Alec quickly regained his feet while Darack found his own dagger on the floor.
Seeing only a small flash of the blade, Darack grabbed Alec's forearm, the dagger raised high, ready to plunge into Darack's chest. At the same time, he shoved his own dirk toward Alec's torso. The blade met its mark. Despite the wound, Alec seemed to possess an abnormal strength. Darack twisted his arm until the dagger slipped from his fingers. Alec dropped to the ground and thrashed about.
Two guards trotted down the narrow steps. "Are they all under control?"
"Alec is," Darack said, breathing hard.
One of the torches still burned, lying on the stone floor, revealing the other attackers, either dead or knocked out. When Alec lay still and Darack could no longer see his chest moving, he knelt and placed his fingers before the man's mouth and nose. He felt no breathing.
Ewan emerged down the narrow stone steps with another guard, carrying a torch. "What happened?"
Darack stood and explained the situation.
Ewan muttered curses. "How did that cell door get unlocked?"
"We don't know as of yet. Alec even tried to run up the steps toward Mairiana," Darack said, equal parts battle rage and fear for her life still quickening his blood. He nudged the whoreson with his foot, but he didn't move.
"Are the other cell doors secured?" Ewan demanded.
The guards checked them. "Aye, chief."
"Find out who unlocked this one!"
"Darack?" Mairiana yelled again from the top of the steps.
"I'm well," he returned.
"Go. See to her," Ewan said. "I'll take care of this mess."
Darack bypassed his cousin and climbed the steps.
Upon seeing the tears streaming down Mairiana's face, Darack felt his soul scraped bare. He never wanted to cause her pain or distress.
"Are you hurt?" she asked, touching him, checking him for injuries.
"Nay." He lifted her into his arms and carried her across the bailey, amidst the throng of clansmen headed toward the dungeon to see what had transpired. "Thank God I did not allow you to go down there," Darack said, relief near making him weak.
"What happened? Is Alec dead?" she asked as he carried her up the castle's entry steps.
"Aye. I had no choice but to kill him. He would've never given up until one of us was dead. And more importantly, I was afraid he would hurt you." Darack carried her through the crowded great hall and up the turnpike stairs. "That has been my main concern the entire time, from the moment I found you in the stables at Lenor and learned what you'd witnessed. Most murderers won't leave a witness alive."
At the top of the steps, he found the corridor empty. He set her to her feet and pulled her tight into his arms. He simply wanted to hold her for a moment and thank God for her safety.
She wrapped her arms around him. "You are an amazing protector. And I thank you for that."
He drew back, observing her incredible beauty and the love emanating from her gaze. "I do it for selfish reasons."
"What do you mean?"
He kissed her slightly frowning brow. "I could not live without you, m'lady." He then pressed his lips against hers.
***
Two weeks later, Darack and Mairiana were married in the castle's chapel by Father Bhradain. Though the priest was still as stern as always, Mairiana glimpsed a half-smile a few times as they said their wedding vows. Knowing the priest's concerns were laid to rest, she focused on Darack as he promised to love her until the end of his days on earth and beyond.
Afterward, they entered the great hall and a grand wedding feast was laid out before them. Lively music filled the room from the minstrels in the corner.
