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Fin slipped the dagger from his belt and positioned the point above Castor’s heart. He pursed his lips as he looked at the fallen man, and when Castor gave him another nod, Fin drove the point straight down into him. With one final choked wheeze, Castor lay still. His eyes were wide and fixed upon something, only those within death’s cold embrace could see. But for the first time since he had known him, Fin thought Castor looked to be at peace.
Slipping his blade gently from the man’s body and cleaning it off, Fin turned and made his way to where Col stood with Henry and Hollis. Both men were bloody, scored by a myriad of cuts and gashes that stained their tunics red. He pulled Col into a bone-crushing embrace, hammering him on the back.
“Tis good tae see ye, mate,” Fin said. “I wasnae sure ye’d make it in time.”
“Are ye jestin’? When I told thae lads we had a chance tae kill Ainglishmen, they ran the whole way,” Col said, then cleared his throat as he glanced at Henry. “No offense meant.”
Henry’s stony visage melted, and much to Fin’s surprise, he broke out into laughter. He grabbed hold of Col and embraced him like a brother, still laughing. After a long moment, he stepped back and clapped Col on the shoulder.
“No offense taken,” he said. “Me and my mates got a chance to kill Irishmen, so I’d say we all came away winners from this.”
Fin looked at Hollis as Col and Henry laughed together. “Are ye all right?”
“Aye. Tis nothin’,” Hollis replied. “Scratches and scrapes. I had a tavern wench that marked me up worse than this once.”
Fin laughed and embraced his friend tightly. They had carried the day and had survived the fight.
“I certainly hope you are not too weak to hug me like that.”
Fin turned at the sound of Ivy’s voice, the smile on his face growing wide. He swept her up in his arms, and she let out a surprised yelp as he spun her around. Fin held her tightly, finding joy and comfort in the feel of her body pressed to his. At that moment, he realized he had not been sure he would ever have her in his arms again and felt a profound wave of gratitude for having been spared and given a chance to hold her.
He set her back down on her feet and looked down into her eyes, then pressed a firm kiss upon her. Ivy melted against him, returning his kiss that was equal parts love and relief. It was only the sound of Col clearing his throat that interrupted the moment. Fin pulled back and gave his cousin a sheepish smile.
“What are ye doin’ here?” he asked. “I told ye tae stay at Westmarch.”
Ivy shook her head. “No, you said to go to Westmarch and fetch Col.” Ivy flashed him a mischievous glint. “You never said anything about remaining there.”
“Ye could’ve been killed comin’ here,” he said, a hint of reproach in his voice.
“I was quite safe. I stayed well away from the fighting,” she said, then cast a glance at his cousin. “It was one of Col’s conditions for allowing me to accompany him.”
“Aye. Twas hard enough tae even get that concession out of her, though,” Col said with a grin. “These Ainglish lasses might be as stubborn as Scottish lasses.”
“We Englishwomen are known for our fortitude and obstinance,” Ivy said with a laugh.
“Aye,” Col said with a nod. “Daenae I ken it. Ye and Gillian have much in common.”
Fin turned to his cousin. “I’m glad ye could make it,” he said with a grin. “How’s Gillian?” Fin asked.
Col nodded. “On the mend. She’s on her feet again,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “The physician said it’ll take some time for her tae be completely healed, though.”
“I’m glad tae hear that, Cousin,” he said. “Tis a great relief.”
“Aye,” he agreed.
“We’re goin’ on tae Elix,” Col said. “We’re goin’ tae take the castle and clear out Castor’s people for the Duke. I daenae expect much resistance.”
“I hardly think there will be any at all,” Henry said. “Unless his household staff decides to rise up against you.”
“They will do nothing of the sort,” Ivy said. “For now, I am the Lady of Cherrythorn, and they will do as I command.”
Fin was impressed with the steel he heard in her voice, and at that moment, he knew she would have been ten times the Baroness of Elix than her brother was as Baron.
“Then I suppose that settles it,” Henry said. “We are all going to Elix.”
“Beggin pardon, Lady Welton,” Hollis interrupted.
Ivy looked at him with a wide, gracious smile. Fin had an idea of what was on his friend’s mind. Indeed, there seemed to be little else on his mind anymore. Hollis shuffled his feet, an awkward, almost shy smile on his face.
