Page 38 of Marin’s Promise

He could not bring himself to let anyone hurt as he had, especially not a woman.

“Aye,” he said at long last. “I’ll help ye in exchange for marriage to ye.”

Marin leapt to her feet. “Thank you.” She clutched his hand. “We must make haste.” She paused and looked around the room for a frantic moment. “I must get my armor.”

Her armor? Surely, she did not expect to fight with men on the battlefield. “Ye willna be joining us.”

“I’m trained in battle. All of us have been. I can fight.”

“Ach, aye, I know ye can fight.” He grinned at her. “But ye willna be joining us in battle.”

Her mouth fell open. “I have to come.”

“Ye are to be my wife, Marin.” He touched a hand to her shoulder. “As yer husband, I will protect ye no matter what. Whether with my life, or by demand that ye stay put.”

“You will not keep me here while I might be the extra soldier to tip the scales in battle.” She stood stubbornly in front of him. “This needs to be included in our negotiations.”

Bran grunted with disapproval, but now was not the time to argue with his intended. Not when every moment wasted could mean death.

“I’ll accompany ye to get yer armor, but we must make haste.” Bran led her from the room. “The forces were already assembling to come after ye. They should be ready to depart.”

As quickly as was possible, she donned her armor and they were mounted on their steeds outside in the pouring rain. Marin’s full mouth was set in a grim line under her helm.

Bran called out for his men to move. And move they did, pouring from the gates of the castle in a wave, riding as though the devil himself were chasing them.

“We will catch them,” Bran shouted to her. “I dinna see their horses missing from the stables. They are on foot. Even with over an hour advantage, we will be able to gain on them. Especially with our hobblers.”

She looked at his horse, then down at her own.

“They dinna look like much.” He patted his steed’s strong neck. “But they can navigate this terrain like a selkie does the sea.”

“We must arrive in time.” Marin’s emphatic words were not meant for him.

“Aye,” he said with all the conviction he could muster. “We will.”

And he hoped to God he was right.