"What?" She looked to Gavin, gaging his tormented expression. Had he told the witch what would cause her to time travel?
"Hold Gavin's sword," Wilona ordered.
"What deal did you make?" Dani demanded of him.
"A deal to save your life."
"Gavin has requested you be sent back whence you came, far from here. The future. That suits me, for I will nay be accused of murder," Wilona said.
Murder? Must Dani choose to either be murdered or leave Gavin forever?
She already wore the brooch. The sword would complete the magical combination to launch her back to the twenty-first century. Her heart pounded hard, and every muscle in her body tightened, rebelling against leaving him. "No."
"What do you mean,no?" Wilona seethed.
"I won't do it! I'm not leaving."
"Dani," Gavin said in a low, desperate voice. "Touch the sword and go back to your old life. You'll be safe with your family."
"No, Gavin." Her tight throat aching, she strained to get the words out. "I love you, and I can't live without you."
"Dani. Saints." He moved closer and whispered in her ear. "She or Alpin will kill you if you stay here. I'd rather you live in your own time than die now. I want you to be safe."
She shook her head. Tears scalded her eyes and dripped from her lashes. "I can't leave you. We broke the curse together because we love each other. Do you realize how strong and true our love is?"
"Aye." Pain glinted in his eyes. "I ken it, lass. I love you more than life itself."
Her heart cracked. "I'd rather die than leave you."
"Damnation! Never say that. Either way, we cannot be together." He squeezed his eyes closed then glared at the guard who held his sword. "Bring it closer."
She backed away. "Don't try to force me! I make my own decisions."
The guard neared, holding the sword below the hilt. The bare grip waited for her to grasp it in both hands as she had at the Highland games so long ago.
Her throat closing off her breath, she shook her head again. "I can't." She unpinned the brooch, dropped it to the floor, and kicked it beneath a table. Even if he forced her to touch the weapon, nothing would happen. She hoped.
"Bring me that brooch," Wilona told one of her guards.
While those around them were distracted, Dani grasped Gavin's bound wrists and pulled him close. She stood on her tiptoes, reaching up to kiss him. He bent and, when their lips met, she slid her thumb and index finger into her sleeve, grasped the hilt of the small knife, and pulled it out. Trying her best not to cut him, she felt for the rough rope. Still not looking down for fear she would draw attention to the knife, she sawed at the binding. The sharp blade sliced through, and the rope fell loose.
Gavin wasted no time before snatching his own claymore from the guard. He wielded it as it was meant to be, in two large hands by a man of superior strength.
Keeping her own sgian dubh in her hand, Dani hunched on the floor out of his way. He swung the sword, the guard ducked, and the circle around them widened. The people yelled and pushed backward. Swords slid from scabbards.
"Disarm him!" Wilona ordered.
Dani hardly dared to breathe. How could Gavin fight against so many and win?
A man with a basket-hilt sword charged forward, and Gavin swung the claymore. She closed her eyes before seeing whether the strike decapitated the man.
He fought off the guards and soldiers one by one, killing some and wounding others.
Keeping low, beneath the swing of his blade, she stayed out of the way. Feeling a tug on the tail of her skirt, she glanced around to find Alpin yanking at it and trying to grab her ankle. She kicked at him but could not dislodge his clawing, grasping fingers. Kneeling, she stabbed the small knife into his hand. He yelled. Gavin's weapon sliced toward him, and he shrank back. The blade struck the stone wall, and sparks flew.
Shouts at the entry drew her attention. The wooden door crashed back against the wall, and armored warriors poured into the great hall from outside. A chill shook her.
Oh dear God, help us.Gavin can't defeat so many.
