Page 119 of Highland Ruse

Within several minutes the two riders arrived together. The first slipped from his horse easily and managed to catch the second when she tumbled from hers.

Aye, definitely Donnan and Leasa.

“Start preparing yer men for battle,” Kaid said to Callum. “We ride out within the hour, before we lose the last of the light.”

“Ready?” Delilah asked.

“Aye,” Kaid replied. “It’s time to put Torra back in power.” He caught her hands in his. “And we’ll save our Claire.”

• • •

Many lives were at stake, but it was the image of a child which sent energy flaring through Delilah, powerful enough to guarantee victory no matter the foe.

She would save Claire, even if she did so at the expense of her own life.

Their large group moved through the forest toward Edirdovar. The red stonework could be seen above the treetops, growing larger and larger as they closed in on their target.

While Sylvi led the other female spies, Delilah stayed by Kaid’s side per his insistence.

She knew if it were up to him, she would not have come.

She also knew he realized she would never allow herself to remain behind.

The shush of an arrow being shot was as loud in the silence as a musket ball being fired. Another arrow cut through the air and thunked into the tree beside Torra’s head. One arrow pinned the other into the thick bark by its middle.

An impossible shot.

A shot only one woman would be able to make.

Delilah turned to find Percy’s hooded form sliding another arrow from her back and crouching low in the brush.

A hand caught Delilah’s, warm and strong—Kaid.

“It’s beginning,” he muttered. He searched her face with his determined gaze. “Be safe, my love.” He caught her face in his large hands and pressed a hard kiss to her lips, so fierce the scratch of his whiskers ground against her chin.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

“And I ye,” he growled.

Then he turned from her and loosed his war cry.

Both MacKenzie and MacLeod warriors roared their own cries, the shouts blending together.

Delilah slipped from Kaid’s side to join Sylvi and the other women, who continued onward in stealthy silence with only the hiss of Percy’s arrows. They moved quickly and easily in their black leines and men’s trews. While the women could fight in gowns, battle required more liberating garments.

The guards surrounding the castle grounds were quickly and easily dispatched. There weren’t many.

But MacKenzie knew they were coming. No doubt almost all of his guards were stationed within the walls of Edirdovar, ready to defend the castle.

Little did they know how easy their walls could be breached.

The edge of the forest met them, and beyond it stood their prize. The redstone castle of Edirdovar.

Kaid stepped forward, into the line of sight.

Figures along the top of the castle drew back their bows and Delilah’s chest tightened.

“Torra MacKenzie is the rightful ruler of this castle.” Kaid’s voice rang clear and confident in the thin night air. “If ye willna relinquish Edirdovar to her, we will take it by force to seat her in her rightful place.”