The turret was bare of furnishings and so Brenna MacRae was forced to sit, back against the wall on the cold, hard floor beneath an arrow slit, the only opening other than the door she’d been escorted in through. It provided little light for her to see by, but just enough space for an icy breeze to blow through, chilling her to the bone. She wrapped herself tightly in her plaid and curled into as small a ball as she could possible manage in an effort to ward off the chill air while she waited. The uncertainty of her situation weighed heavily on her mind.

She hadn’t seen Laird Munro since her arrival, but she knew it was only a matter of time before he came for her. Not knowing what would befall her when he did, filled her with dread. If only Zeke would come for her, but she knew that to be a futile thought. She’d seen his body laying motionless on the road. She choked back tears knowing he was either dead or would be soon enough without anyone to help him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of someone climbing the stairs. The muffled sound of voices on the other side of the thick wooden door had her straining her ears in an effort to hear what was being said, but it was to no avail.

She girded herself for whatever might happen next as the door opened and Laird Nevil Munro stood framed in the light pouring through the doorway.

“Welcome to yer new home, Brenna MacRae.” His face was in the shadows and so she was unable to ascertain his mood as he spoke, but she wasn’t hopeful he would be kind.

“This is not me home,” she protested.

“Dinnae argue with me,” he barked. “Yer insolence willnae be rewarded here as it was at Castle Treun.” He moved closer to her and she shrank back afraid he might strike her. Instead he crouched down to her level and stared into her eyes. There was no warmth in his gaze and it did little to put her at ease. “If yer Da doesnae give me what I want,” he hissed, “I’m afraid it will be yer home for a long, long time.”

Her heart sank. Nothing that had happened over the last months would lead her to believe that Paddraig MacRae would give up anything at all to rescue her.

“I willnae be yer wife. Ye cannae make me.” Brenna sat up straighter and did her best to speak with confidence and strength although she wasn’t feeling either.

“I dinnae want ye fer me wife,” he growled. “I only agreed to marry ye to get me hands on the land that rightfully belongs to me.”

Brenna didn’t say a word. What could she say? She was relieved he didn’t wish to wed her, but that only meant she’d remain a prisoner who’d either go mad or die here in this cold, barren chamber. She’d have to find a way to escape. Given time it was possible she could do it. She’d wait for her opportunity. It would come. It had to.

It seemed Laird Munro was a mind reader. “Dinnae even think of attempting to escape. Me men are stationed throughout the castle and have been instructed to lock ye in the dungeon, should they see ye out of this chamber. I’m sure ye’d agree, ye dinnae wish fer that to happen.”

He stood there for a moment staring at her. She wasn’t sure why, but then he turned and strode from the room, closing the door with a thud as he left.

She slumped back against the wall, relief flooding her body. He’d be back. She knew he would, but for now she was still fine. He hadn’t hurt her.

* * *

Zeke, Logan and Dougall sat atop their horses in the shadows of the Munro stronghold. They’d kept watch on the comings and goings through the gate, as well as the guards atop the battlements. They’d wait until total darkness befell the castle before making their move. The new moon would provide them cover as they crossed the open field between them and Munro. Once across they would attempt to gain entry into the castle, perhaps taking a captive who would help them find Brenna. Anything could happen, and they were prepared.

“How’s yer head?” Dougall asked.

“Fine.” Zeke said. He had to admit it was rather strange to be sitting here with the man who had taken Helene from him. Correction, the man he sent Helene back to. Stranger still, he now found himself legally tied to his sister, Brenna.

“Do ye nae find it odd that the three of us are sitting here now?” Logan asked. “What do ye suppose Edna is up to this time?”

“Whatever it is, I cannae believe she knew this would happen?” Dougall said. “Although why yer here, Zeke, is a mystery to me.”

“As I’ve said before, I’m here for Sara.”

“Have ye nae heard, ’tis me wife yer speaking of.” Logan shifted in his saddle and gazed at Zeke.

“I’ve heard. I’m not happy she did this without telling me.”

“If she had, would ye have let her come?” Logan asked.

Zeke didn’t even have to think about that. “No. But as I’m sure you’ve found, Sara has a mind of her own and when she decides to do something there’s no stopping her.”

Logan chuckled softly as the evening sky grew darker and darker still. Their eyes adjusted to the lack of light and they made their move. Dismounting, they left their horses where they stood and crept through the field towards the castle. Dougall motioned them away from the main entry gates and around towards the back wall of the castle. He pointed out a stone staircase that led up to an arched wooden door. They stopped and waited, crouched by the stairs. Not a sound was heard and no one was in sight.

“Wait here. I’m going to go up and try the door.” Dougall left them, silently and swiftly moving up to the door. He tried the latch, but it was locked. Zeke moved past Logan and joined Dougall. “Let me take care of this. He pulled his dirk from it’s sheath and used it to jiggle the lock and pry the door open. Dougall appeared suitably impressed. Logan joined them and the three men made their way into a narrow passageway. A faint light shone down to their left, so they went to the right instead. Hugging the wall as they went and careful not to make a sound, the three men made their way from one end of the castle to the other.

“Where do you think she is?” Zeke asked.

“One of two places. Either in the dungeon or locked up in a chamber somewhere,” Dougall replied

“Let’s hope it’s the chamber then.” Zeke moved ahead of Dougall and strained his eyes to see in the dark passageway.

A light appeared up ahead and a figure of a man small in stature came into view, closing a door behind him as he did. Logan squeezed past them and came up behind him, quickly placing a hand over his mouth, clamping his other arm tightly around what turned out to be a young lad, who went almost completely limp in Logan’s arms. He dragged the lad back to Dougall and Zeke.

“We willnae harm ye, lad. We need yer help. Do ye ken where the laird is keeping the lass who arrived here today?” Dougall asked.

“His heart’s beating like a jack rabbit’s,” Logan noted. “Calm yerself. If ye cooperate with us, we’ll nae hurt ye. I’m going to move me hand, but dinnae call fer help. Do ye ken me meaning?”

The lad nodded and Logan moved his hand.

“Upstairs. In the turret,” he gasped, taking in a deep breath.

“Show us the way.” Dougall said. “Remember, if ye dinnae draw attention to us, we’ll nae hurt ye.”

“Aye, sir.” Logan kept a grip on the lad’s shirt, but allowed him to lead the way. He led them to a back stairway, where they waited before ascending. No sign of movement above them, so they continued on. Up and up they went until they were at the very top of the castle. Again, they stopped before continuing and it was a good thing they did. A man stood guard outside of the door.

Dougall put a finger to his lips and motioned for them to stay put. He moved quickly, disarming and disabling the guard. Zeke moved into place and worked his magic on the door, flinging it open to find Brenna sitting on the floor against the wall. The room was bare. No bed. No chairs. Nothing. Her knees were pulled up in front of her with her arms resting atop them. Her head had been down, but as soon as the door opened, it popped up. Zeke was so relieved to see her that he was at her side immediately.

“Brenna. Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” he asked.

“Zeke! You’re alive. I thought you were dead when I saw you laying there.” She touched his face, as if to make sure he was real.

“Come. Your brother and Logan are with me. Let’s get you out of here.”

“I’ve got to get Vala,” she said. “I need me horse.”

Zeke looked to Dougall. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea to go wandering around the castle grounds in search of Vala.

“Take her out the way we came. Our young friend here will help me find Vala and I’ll join you in no time.”

“I’ll come with you,” Logan offered.

“Aye. I may need ye.”

They all made their way back down the stairs the way they’d come. At the bottom, Zeke headed for the door they entered through and the lad led Dougall and Logan past the door and out of sight.

Zeke held Brenna close. Together they crouched low and made their way across the field to the horses. Once there, they waited. A noise behind them, had them both spinning around.

“There ye be, lass. I knew yer man would find a way to get ye back.”

“Duff?” Zeke asked.

“Aye. The laird received a ransom note. He sent me and some of the men to get our Brenna back. Now that I can see she’s with ye, we’ll take care of the other business he sent us on.”

“What would that be?” Zeke asked.

“Let’s just say, his lairdship will be minus some of his valued possessions come morning.”

“Are ye to reive then?” Brenna asked.

“Aye, lass. That is the plan. I’ll tell yer Da that yer safe. He’ll be pleased.”

“I cannae believe he sent ye fer me,” she said.

“Aye. He still loves ye lass.” Duff seemed to understand how Brenna was feeling. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the new mistress of the castle. Yer Da has been blinded by her, but I believe he sees her for who she truly is now.” Duff turned and rode away as silently as he had approached.

Zeke pulled Brenna into his arms and held her close. All this time she thought she was unloved and unwanted. He was happy she now knew the truth.

“I thought I’d never see ye again,” Brenna murmured into his chest. “I thought I would die here.”

“I’d never let that happen.”

“Zeke, I’m so sorry. I had nae right to be angry with ye.”

“Shhh… It’s okay,” he assured her.

“I’m cold.” Brenna was shivering uncontrollably.

Zeke grabbed the plaid from his saddle bag and wrapped them both in it. “There. Is that better?”

“Aye.”

Out of the darkness, he spied Dougall and Logan leading Vala across the field.

“They found yer horse.”

She didn’t respond, instead burrowing deeper into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head, holding her tight and wondering just what all of this meant.