“Who took him?” Sage asked, approaching with Landyn and Marcus.
Raven clutched Willow’s hands and held them firmly. “What happened?”
“His father,” Willow gasped. “They surrounded us. Christian rode toward some of the men, making an opening for me. When I looked back, they were pulling him from his horse. I tried to go back, but he said no. He said to go to you. He…” She choked on her words, and tears trickled from her eyes. “Wehaveto help him.”
Raven’s gaze lingered on Landyn, who leaned against Marcus with a pained expression. He was too hurt to go after Christian. “How many men were there?”
“An army,” Willow sobbed.
Raven turned to Sage in indecision. How could she endanger her family?
“Please, Raven,” Willow whispered, desperation creeping into her voice. “Please. I know you don’t like him.”
Raven opened her mouth to respond, searching for words that would explain. He had hurt Willow in the past. And in Raven’s opinion, that was unforgivable. But that wasn’t the reason for her hesitation.
“He means everything to me,” Willow whispered.
Raven shifted her gaze to Landyn, and at that moment, a deep understanding filled her. She felt Willow’s anguish, felt the consuming love that Willow had for Christian. She knew because she felt the same way about Landyn.
“It’s a trap for all of us,” Landyn stated. “Christian is the bait. They let her go.”
“Please,” Willow begged, her lips turned down in a pout as she stared at Raven.
“I’ll go,” Marcus offered.
All eyes turned to him.
He ran a hand through his short hair. “It makes sense. They’ll be expecting all of us. If I go alone—”
Sage immediately shook her head, insisting, “No.”
“It’s the only way,” Marcus said, releasing Landyn and going to Sage. He held both of Sage’s hands, his thumbs gently resting against her knuckles. “I can do it.”
Sage shook her head again vehemently.
“Landyn can’t go,” Marcus clarified. “Raven will stay with him, and she’ll want you two to remain with her.”
“I’m going,” Willow stated.
“No,” Raven insisted.
“No,” Marcus said. “They won’t be expecting one man. They won’t be expecting me.” He tenderly ran a thumb against Sage’s cheek, pushing away a wayward strand of hair. “By the time I return, you’ll have cracked the passage. I’m giving you the time you need.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but her words died on her lips. She held onto his hands tightly.
Marcus brushed a kiss against her forehead before turning to Willow. “Where did they take Christian?”
Chapter Twenty
Landyn lifted his arms as Brother Henrywrapped a length of cloth around his torso, his gaze on Willow as she paced back and forth, staring at the door. Her fingers twisted in knots as she wrung her hands.
“Marcus just left,” Landyn told her soothingly. “It will be well.”
Willow’s voice was steady and low as she spoke. “He has two days before I go after him.” She shook her head with a clenched jaw as if trying to shake away regret. “I never should have left Christian. I shouldn’t have—”
Raven pushed away from the wall, her eyes fierce and her brow furrowed. “And what purpose would that have served?” she demanded. “Will, this is Christian’s best chance. Marcus will bring him back.”
Sage nodded. “If they’re not here in two days, we areallgoing after them. In the meantime, we should look at the passage in the directions.”
