Part 36 (1/2)

The one where Ceana had gone to hide.

Her throat tight, Maggie watched in horror as the fire ravaged the building.

”Braden!” she shouted, but he was already on the run toward it.

”Dear G.o.d,” Robby's mother breathed. ”Ceana!”

”Ceana?” Robby repeated.

”She's in there,” Maggie said, then ran for the building with Robby hot on her heels.

Maggie watched in horror as Braden started to run into the burning building, but one of the men pulled him back.

” 'Tis too late,” the man shouted above the roar of the fire. ”There's no way she could still be alive in that blaze.”

Maggie stared at the orange and red flames twisting through the building and shooting up toward the blue morning sky. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

How had this happened?

Oh, Lord, oh, Lord, oh, Lord, her mind reeled with terror and pain.

Ceana was dead!

And it was all her fault. It had been her plan. Her stupid, awful plan, and now poor Ceana was dead from it.

”Where's my brother?” Braden asked.

Covering her mouth with her hands, Maggie turned to look at Braden as he scanned the crowd for Sin.

A woman who stood beside her shook her head. ”The Englishman ran inside to save the lairdess as soon as the fire started.” The young woman looked away, her eyes tormented and sad. ”He didn't come back out.”

Maggie's legs went weak, and for a moment she couldn't breathe.

Braden's agonized cry was only second to that of the MacDouglas. The two of them sank down to their knees while they watched helplessly as the fire engulfed the building where Sin and Ceana had been.

Tears filled Maggie's eyes. This hadn't been the plan. Ceana was only supposed to wait in there in case the MacDouglas searched the castle. She was to come out the minute her husband started to leave to pursue her.

It's all my fault!

Pain lacerated her chest. She'd never meant for anyone to get hurt. Never!

How would she ever live with herself after this?

”Braden,” she whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder. ”I'm so sorry.”

Maggie saw the agony in his eyes as he looked up at her, and it tore through her. She had caused this.

She had killed them both.

Why, oh, why had she started all this?

It was then the MacDouglas turned to them with a feral snarl curling his lips. Eyes narrowed, he looked at them as if he were seeing them for the first time.

”You spoke with a woman's voice,” Robby said accusingly.

His breathing ragged, he slowly pushed himself up from the ground to his full towering height. The MacDouglas walked toward her like a lion stalking a hare. ”You're that Maggie b.i.t.c.h, aren't you?”

Maggie couldn't speak as terror washed over her. Her eyes wide, she stumbled away from him.

With a practiced, deadly calm, Robby MacDouglas unsheathed his long sword. The murderous gleam in his eyes bespoke his intent loud and clear.

He was going to kill her.

Overwhelmed by grief, guilt and terror, Maggie backed away.

She'd only managed a step or two when her trembling legs buckled, and she found herself sitting on the ground, immobile. Completely paralyzed and stunned, she looked up helplessly at him.

His face deadly cold, the MacDouglas laird loomed above her like a mountain, his shoulders blocking the sun and the sky.

He raised the sword in both hands to plunge it down into her.

Just as Maggie was sure it would strike her belly, another sword flashed, deflecting the MacDouglas's sword away from her.

The MacDouglas cursed as he turned to face a furious Braden.

His eyes defiant and smoldering, Braden held his sword aimed at the MacDouglas's throat. ”To get to her, you'll have to come through me.”

”You want to die for her?” Robby asked.

”Aye,” Braden said without hesitation. He glanced at her and for the first time she saw the love in his eyes. ”I will die for her.”

”Then die,” Robby said before shoving Braden back and striking at him with his sword.

Braden skillfully met him stroke for stroke.

Maggie couldn't move, couldn't breathe as she watched the two of them. Worse was the fact it was obvious Braden held more skill. The MacDouglas fought bravely, but there was no doubt who would emerge the victor. And if Braden killed the MacDouglas, she and Braden were dead for sure.

The MacDouglas arced his sword for Braden's chest. Braden jumped back.

His reach overextended, the MacDouglas stumbled forward.

Braden bought his sword down toward the man's back.

”Hold!”

Maggie's eyes widened as she recognized Sin's voice.

But she didn't dare take her eyes off Braden as she watched in muted horror, antic.i.p.ating his blow.

Somehow, Braden stopped his blade an inch from Robby's spine and brought it up and away from his opponent just in time to save Robby's back from the death blow.