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“I daenae ken for sure,” she said. “There was a group of men, and one woman. They came into the castle the moment ye and Damon left. It was as if they were waitin’ ye ken, for the right moment the castle would be defenseless.”
“I saw them take out the guards,” other girl interjected. “I think they locked them in the cells because they would have come to save us, nay?”
“Which way did Sionn go?” Conner demanded as he found his patience growing thinner by the second. He knew that every moment counted and the longer he stayed to chat, the colder Sionn trail would get. Suddenly Conner’s mind shifted to the night his mother and sister were stolen from the castle. Unmeasurable amount of pressure crushed him.
“To the south,” Bradley answered as he dropped his head.
Conner’s ire shifted to Henry as he glared at him. “How dae ye ken this?”
“I saw a carriage headin’ south,” Bradley said. “I didnae see the lady, but if Sionn has her, he’ll nae have her in the open, aye?”
There was no time to waste. Conner jolted to his feet and rushed from the room. His muscles ached as he pushed through the doors and scrambled to get back onto his horse.
“Conner?” Astrid’s voice was faint but clear. Conner whipped his head around to find Damon, Sadie, and Astrid coming into the courtyard. They rode to him and stopped as Conner settled in his saddle ready to take off.
“What is goin’ on?” Damon asked.
“Sionn, he has Olivia,” Conner answered.
“I’m goin’ wit’ ye,” Damon said.
“Nay, yer the only one I trust to keep them safe,” Conner said motioning to his sister and mother. “Guard them wit’ yer life. Dae ye understand? Daenae let them out of yer sight until I return.”
“Conner?” Astrid stared at him a moment, tears swelled in her eyes as she stretched a hand to him.
“Godspeed,” she said, her voice quivering.
Conner gave a sharp nod of his head and took off. Irritation and anger filled him as he pushed his horse faster. He knew that a carriage would have more trouble going over the terrain than a single rider, but he didn’t dare take a chance on losing the trail.
“At least it rained,” Conner mumbled to himself as he noticed the fresh tracks cutting through the mud to the south. “Makes trackin’ easier. But God, please, help me. I cannae lose her… them.”
Conner pressed onward, racing through the glen, determined to do whatever it took to ensure Olivia came back alive. Every mile he crossed he muttered a new prayer.
“Conner!”
Damon’s voice shook him. Whipping his horse to the side, he glanced over his shoulder without stopping. His eyes widened as he noticed Damon racing towards him.
“What are ye doin’? Did I nae give ye orders?” Conner scolded as Damon caught up to him and rode to his left.
“Aye, ye did,” Damon said. “I ignored them.”
“Yer supposed to be lookin’ after Sadie and Astrid,” Conner hissed. “I’ll kill ye if they are harmed.”
“They will be fine, but ye cannae go chargin’ after Sionn alone. There is nay tellin’ how many men he has wit’ him.”
Conner knew Damon was right, but he couldn’t just remain idle, he had to do something. Pursing his lips into a tight line, Conner glared at the path before them.
“Sionn could have half of Scotland on his side, I daenae care, all that matters is Olivia’s safety. If ye have a chance to get her clear, ye take it, dae ye understand?” Conner snapped.
“Aye,” Damon answered. Scowling at him, Conner arched an eyebrow.
“I mean it, Damon. She is all that matters. If it comes down to savin’ her or savin’ me, ye pick her dae ye understand?”
“I understand,” Damon answered in a stone cold tone. “And I swear on my life, I’ll protect her.”
Chapter 31
Olivia’s head spun as her eyes fluttered open. Her heart raced frantically as she glanced around trying to remember what had happened. Pressing her hand to her head to ease the pain, the only thing she could recall was Sionn’s wicked grin stretching across his face.
