Page 66 of Deception of a Highlander

Gone was the understanding lover who had only minutes before asked for her hand in marriage. Kieran tugged his leine over his head and tucked it into his kilt with sharp, jerking movements. He pressed a firm hand to her back and led her out the door in an unceremonious exit from their small haven of beautiful memories.

Alec had their horses readied and waiting. He gave her a short nod of greeting while Kieran wordlessly helped her onto the steed.

Within minutes, they were galloping toward Caisteal Camus. Kieran’s horse rode alongside Alec’s. The wind tore their murmured Gaelic across the landscape, leaving Mariel with small snatches that made little sense. And then she overheard one word that made her heart still.

Assassin.

Though she averted her gaze, she felt the weight of Kieran’s stare. “Take care of her,” he said to Alec.

The bite of the wind numbed against her cheeks, and the scream of the birds overhead died away to a dull echo. Her stomach churned, knotted against the rapid fluttering within.

Had she been found out?

Her heart slammed in her chest.

What would become of Jack?

Kieran broke away from Alec and sidled alongside Mariel with his hand propped on the hilt of his blade. His horse was so close that she could reach out and touch him if she chose to. Doubtless, he ensured she would not escape.

They traveled in silence for the remainder of the journey; something Mariel found herself grateful for. She did not trust herself to speak and lacked the energy to do so.

She needed the time to come up with a plan.

Part of her was relieved to be found and grateful to cease the charade that would harm so many. Blair and Dougal would be safe. Were it not for Jack, she would gladly succumb to the punishment befitting the crimes she had committed. Being discovered as an assassin was no small offense, and Highlanders were brutal in their punishment.

She glanced toward Kieran, and her chest tightened with emotion. She had been so ready to divulge her secret to him only minutes before. Perhaps if she’d had the strength to do so, she would not be in this position. Her eyes lowered to his blade. Or perhaps she would already be dead.

A selfish part of her had not been ready for him to discover the truth. Not yet.

Pain knifed through her blackened heart. Did her sin have no limits?

Hardening herself against the hurt, she turned her thoughts from Kieran and straightened her back as they came to a stop before the stables.

Her blood raced through her veins and pulsed in her muscles. She could run. The boat she needed had been pulled to the shore prior and was not yet in the water. A quick sprint would take less than five minutes.

She caught a glimpse of Kieran’s dark expression.

Five minutes was too long. He would catch her, and she would fail.

She had no choice but to see where Kieran took her. At the very least, perhaps she could secure a plan for Jack’s life.

Kieran’s hands lingered on her waist as he helped her from her horse. A seed of hope flickered within her.

She rose on her toes, so her body stretched against the length of his. “Shall I come to your room tonight?” She kept her voice low, ensuring only he heard her.

His eyes narrowed. “I dinna think that is a good idea.”

The air squeezed from her chest.

Kieran indicated toward the castle. “Alec will see ye to yer room. I dinna want ye to leave, aye?”

Alec’s shadow fell over her and chased away any opportunity to speak to Kieran further.

“The laird will be up to talk with ye later,” Alec said. He led her into the castle toward the prison of her room and away from Kieran.

Once they arrived at her door, Alec waited for her to sit on the edge of her bed before he closed her inside her chamber. While there was no sound of a key turning in the lock, she knew leaving would be a poor decision.

Mariel drew a shaky breath and rose to pace the small room. If she were discovered, surely, she would be put to death. And Jack would be doomed to a life with Aaron.