- We'll be back soon! - he said, before he kissed Aideen. - Don't worry, we'll bring her back.
Aideen returned the kiss and waved as we passed through the gate, which closed behind us, with express orders to the guards to be open only to us and no one else. As long as we're gone, no one gets in or out of Dunhill.
- Wait for me, Morvan, for I will find him! - I whispered, concentrating my mind on the path we were following. - When that happens, nothing will stop me from killing him this time!
Chapter 21
Annabel
I opened my eyes to stumble across the ground and pass quickly. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was leaning over the back of a horse. My hands were tied and I was still dizzy. Worn boots hit the horse's flanks. I lifted my head to see who would be my tormentor, even though I already suspected it.
- Morvan! - I said with my voice dragged.
- It's a shame you woke up! - he said with irony. - I'd rather you stay unconscious until we reach our destination.
- You won't get what you want! - I fired. - I won't let you take me to Edinburgh.
- So you know where we're going?
- Of course I know! Every idiot who tried to kidnap me has only that fate. You wouldn't be so different from the others. - said ironically. - Now, please, try to call me lady or your grace. In case you don't know, I've just become the Duchess of Duvengard.
- Not for long! - he shot with a cold laugh. - I doubt your father would ever find a way to annul this marriage.
I grunted when I heard him call Roy my father's.
- Stop saying that! - I banged on the back of the horse that whinnyed. - Roy is not and never will be my father!
- Be quiet or you'll scare the horse! - he ordered it. - I don't want you to fall and break that beautiful neck. That would make me lose my bonus.
The generous reward offered by my mother was giving me more trouble than I thought. Besides Morvan, there were mercenaries watching the prize. I had no doubt that she had also paid for Morvan's release. I really needed to get away. By now, Bruce should have made a plan to rescue me and I needed to gain time for him to rescue me. Even though I was leaning over, I was able to identify where we were. Morvan was leading me towards Inverness. I recognized the road I passed when I came to Dunhill for Aideen's wedding. That meant we weren't too far away. I started struggling with the horse and it whinnyed.
- Stop! - Morvan ordered it trying to make me stay still. - You're gonna take us down!
I ignored it and kept struggling. The horse whinnyed a few steps back. Morvan was trying to control the reins as I hit the horse that was getting more and more agitated. After so many attempts, the animal finally pulled us down and fled away. I came out rolling over the saddle and fell to the ground on Morvan. I seized the moment and pulled out the dagger he was wearing around his waist. Using his chest as a lever, I jumped up and tried to run, but Morvan held my leg.
- Come back here! - he screamed.
I fell on my stomach and he took the chance to come on top of me.
- You bastard! - he growled grabbing my hair. - Did you see what you did? Now we don't have a horse and we'll have to keep walking.
- Correction... - said taking a break and turning me over to face it. - You'll follow on foot.
That said, I hit him with the dagger. Morvan let out a cry of pain and fell to his knees putting his hands on the side of his abdomen.
- Damn you!
I took the opportunity to run off the road and enter the forest. While I was running, I cut the strings that tied my wrist. I stopped to hide behind a tree. I took my hand to my waist and realized that the beast I always carried with me had been removed. I looked around to see what I could use as a weapon. There were only thick branches that were pulled from some tree by the wind. The ground was damp and the rain started to fall.
- Not that one! - I whispered.
The rain at that moment would only make it difficult for me to escape.
- Duchess? You shouldn't have done that. I'll rip your hair out as soon as I find her. - I heard Morvan's voice calling out to me in ironic tones. - Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go! Come out! You know there's nowhere to run.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. I had to get back on the road and get to Dunhill. Grabbing the dagger, I cut the bodice off the dress and took it off. I could run faster with only my underwear on. Holding the dagger in my hair, I bent down to grab one of the thickest and somewhat heavy branches. I managed to get a vision of Morvan when he entered the forest and looking at the dress, I decided to use it as bait to attract him. Leaving the dress in his sight, I changed the tree without him seeing me and threw a stone. I waited for Morvan to pass by.
Morvan laughed walking
