Page 18 of Sins of the Highlander

“Cut the rope that binds ye to me,” Rob said calmly, then his tone turned harsh with disgust. “Ach, I should have remembered there were wolves in these woods during these months.”

“If ye hadn’t stolen a man’s bride, ye’d have no need to remember such a thing.”

“Ye’ll be sure to let me know if always being right ever begins to pall, won’t ye?” he said as they continued to trudge along. “Tell me, lass, when ye were a little girl, were ye the sort to play outside, or did ye sit by the fire and spin all day?”

Elspeth’s eyes widened as she sawed through the rope at her waist. Didn’t the man realize what was happening?

“What on earth does that have to do with our current predicament?”

“I was just wondering if ye’ve ever climbed a tree, because I think the skill might come in handy verra soon.”

“Oh, aye.” Perhaps Rob wasn’t so mad after all. “I can climb a tree like a squirrel.”

Elspeth heard the metallic rasp of metal as Rob unsheathed his claymore.

“There’s an oak overhanging the path in ten paces,” he said. “If I give ye a boost, do ye think ye can swing up to that thick branch?”

The wolves began a howling chorus around them. They’d located the only fresh meat in the forest, and it was time to sing about it.

“Give me a boost, and I’ll fly up to it,” Elspeth said, drawing her legs up under her so she was hunkered on Falin’s back instead of sitting astride. He danced sideways as he felt the unusual movement of his riders.

“Ho there, lad, easy now.” Rob kneed Falin forward.

One of the wolves found some bravery and lunged at Falin’s haunches. The stallion kicked at it. Rob kept Elspeth from toppling off by balancing her hip with one hand.

The predator rolled and slinked away, snarling but unhurt.

“Do ye want the knife?” Elspeth asked.

“No, keep it,” he said. “Just in case.”

In case. Elspeth didn’t want to contemplate what that meant. As they drew near the oak tree, she slid the small blade down the busk of her bodice, between the boning.

“Get ready.” Rob’s voice was steady and reassuring, but her heart still pounded like a smith’s hammer.

She pushed the cloak off her shoulders, letting it drape over the stallion’s withers, so her arms would be free. Cold was the least of her worries.

She’d have only one chance to leap to safety.

They drew even with the oak.

“Now!” Rob shouted.

He hefted her backside, and she sprang up and grabbed at the branch with both hands. The rough bark dug into her palms, but she didn’t let go.

The sudden movement made the pack dart in, snapping at Falin’s heels. He bucked and reared and danced backward on the path.

Elspeth was suspended over nothing but air, with writhing, furry bodies below. She swung her feet up to hook a knee over the branch, but not before the biggest gray wolf leaped up and grabbed a mouthful of her broad skirt. A lesser fabric might have ripped, but the thick velvet held fast.

Elspeth clung to the underside of the branch, which bowed under the additional weight. The wolf shook its whole body, like a terrier with a rat, trying to bring her down.

The bough creaked and popped, and she feared the limb might give way.

“Hang on!” Rob shouted and slashed, not at the wolf, but at the layers of her velvet skirt and chemise from which it was suspended. The beast fell to the ground with a yowl.

Elspeth scrambled and lifted herself to the upper side of the thick branch.

Another wolf leaped up, coming within finger-widths of her bare foot. She tucked it up and scuttled along the branch till she reached the trunk and stood upright, looping an arm around its comforting solidness.