If weapons would've been any benefit to them, he would've used the sword and dirk, wouldn't he?
She nodded. A key rattled in the lock. Had fifteen minutes passed already?
After giving her a soft, lingering kiss, Gavin stepped away from her and left with the guard.
∞∞∞
Gavin hoped Dani wouldn't need to use the wee sgian dubh. He hadn't trained her in knife fighting, and she had no skill with it. But neither of them could battle so many and win. He would negotiate with the witch as best he could, using his canny wit instead of his sword arm.
Four of Wilona's brawny warriors, armed with dirks, surrounded him, and one bound his hands in front with a thin but strong rope. One opened a door and pushed him inside the solar. They all followed and closed the door.
"The spells I cast over Torr MacElrath and Brodie MacCain remain in effect." Wilona sat glaring at him in her throne-like chair before the hearth.
Gavin hadn't considered whether all three curses were tied together. "And?"
"If you kill me, their curses will increase four-fold and remain unbreakable." Ah, she still feared him.
"Why not rescind them?" he asked. "Their blades had naught to do with your son's death."
Hatred and bitterness glinting in her eyes, she shook her head. "Never."
He would help his two friends in any way possible, but first, he had to get Dani to safety. Gavin glanced around the room, noting the position of the guards.
"You are the thief who flew in here and stole my keek-stane."
"I grew tired of you spying on me. Give my wife and me our freedom, and I will see your keek-stane returned."
Wilona shook her head. "'Tis not worth that much to me. I can buy another keek-stane. 'Tis only a matter of finding one. Your curse may be broken, but I still intend to make you suffer for the rest of your days. You will not live a happy life with your ladylove. The person you care about most will be cut from your life, just as you cut my son from mine. Furthermore, you will never have a son of your own."
Gavin's soul shattered once again, for his wife would be far out of his reach. The family he'd hoped to have with her would never be. But at least he had to try to get his beloved Dani to safety.
"My wife is a time traveler from the future," he said. "Send her back to her own time. We will be apart, and I will return your keek-stane."
"Hmm." The hag studied him, then smiled. "That would indeed make you miserable. But how do I ken she would never return?"
"My sword is what opens the portal. You can have it. Destroy it if you wish." Gavin's heart splintered more and more with each word he spoke.
Wilona's eyes widened. "You have a magical sword? Where is it?"
"At Caithmore. In the armory."
She studied him for a long moment, trying his patience.
"If you allow Dani to travel back to her time and her family, the keek-stane is yours," he repeated, his stomach aching. "Do with me what you will." His life meant little without Dani.
Wilona gave a bitter smile. "So selfless. Who knew a murderer could love so much?" She glanced at one of the guards. "Go get Alpin."
Moments later, Alpin entered the room, sending Gavin a glance of disdain and mockery.
"You are to take a half dozen men and ride to Caithmore," Wilona said. "Retrieve Gavin's magical sword."
Alpin's brows quirked. "You have a magical sword, cousin?"
Gavin glared at him, saying naught.
"Describe it to him," Wilona ordered.
"'Tis my newest claymore."
