Page 41 of A Fierce Archer

She tried. Gasped, but no air entered her body. It was as if her throat had closed, not allowing anything to pass.

Desperation struck and she clawed at Esme’s clothing mouthing “Help me”.

Ruari Ross pushed Esme aside, placed his hand flat on Catriona’s stomach and pushed hard. A loud whoof of air escaped and she was finally able to take full, desperate breaths.

“What did ye do?” Esme screamed at Broden. “What did ye say to her.”

“Something she had to know,” Broden replied, giving her a concerned look. “I apologize.”

Catriona pushed away from him and looked past Esme and Ruari. Thankfully, no one seemed to take much notice of what had happened. Just then, past the tables, Ewan and several warriors entered. His bow was still strapped to his back, his dark hair wild from the wind. He looked every bit a fierce archer.

“I need to go to my room,” Catriona told Esme, grabbing her hand. “I do not wish to speak to anyone right now.”

Chapter Eleven

The great room was overfilled with revelers and Ewan was motioned over to the archers’ table, where he sat and reached for a tankard. Someone asked for food and servants hurried off to get it.

Searching the room, he didn’t see Catriona. If she’d been there, he assumed there would be too many people for her to remain. Once he finished his meal, he would find a way to seek her out. Hopefully, she would ask that he stay with her another night.

“We leave the day after tomorrow to the north post,” Naill, the head archer, told him. “Ye will come as well.”

It was not a request, but an order. He’d thought plans were already in place for who would go. “For how long?”

“There are threats from the Sutherlands. We must ensure they are kept at bay and understand we will not stand for intrusion on our land,” another archer replied.

So, they were not sure how long it would be. If he were to go for longer than a season, it could be that Catriona would be gone by the time he returned.

He had little choice but to ask Catriona for her reply. He had to let her know he was going off to battle with no idea when he’d return.

The meal seemed to drag on. Finally, he saw an opening when Laird Ross motioned for the music to stop. The festivities were to end.

Ewan stood and made his way to the high board to catch Tristan Ross’ attention. The warrior looked to him and stood. Although Ewan was taller than most, Tristan still towered over him. In actuality, Tristan towered over everyone, except for Ruari, who was about the same stature.

“Did Naill tell ye we leave the day after tomorrow?” Tristan asked without preamble. “At least the weather will be warmer than last time.”

Ewan nodded. “Aye, he just did. How long do ye think we will be gone?”

His cousin shrugged. “Hopefully no longer than a pair of months.”

There was a strong possibility that Catriona would be gone before he returned.

“I must see about something,” he said and then placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “I will be prepared to ride with ye.”

He hurried away and down a corridor to Catriona’s bedchamber. Praying she’d be alone, he knocked on the door.

There was no answer, even after the second and third time. Perhaps she’d gone to the ladies’ sitting room. It was late and he doubted she would be anywhere other than perhaps Esme’s bedchamber.

When he turned away, a sound inside the room caught his attention. Catriona was in the room. Why did she not open the door?

He tried the handle and the door opened. Catriona stood by the window looking out. Even when he called her name, she did not turn.

“Is something wrong?” Ewan asked, walking to her. He stopped when she turned and held out both hands, palms facing him.

Hitching her chin, she met his gaze. “I have much to thank ye for. It is because of ye that I can leave the confines of a room and was brave enough to come here. Ye have made me realize that I am stronger than what those bastards did to me.”

Something about her tone sent warnings through him. Whatever had caused her to become so different, he needed to know.

“Ye are strong.”