Page 278

Andrew looked at Ridge, remembering what he’d said to the man the night he’d disappeared. He knew that Ridge was sympathetic to Josephine’s situation. You said that you owed Josephine a debt. If, for some reason, I am killed instead of my brother, then I ask you to honor that debt.

Aye, Andrew remembered what he’d said, very well. In that context, he was willing to let Ridge come with him because if something happened to him, he needed someone to take Josephine and get her to safety.

Ridge was that man.

“He is welcome,” he said, still looking at Ridge. “Are you ready to ride tonight?”

Ridge nodded. “I am ready when you are.”

Andrew sensed a strong ally in Ridge de Reyne.

Strangely enough, he also sensed one in Alexander, who’d had a shocking change of heart.

He seemed genuinely concerned for Josephine.

But Andrew couldn’t dwell on the king’s guilt.

In truth, he didn’t really believe it. If given the choice again, he was sure the man would do the very same thing, whatever was necessary to form an alliance for his crown.

“Then we shall depart immediately,” Andrew said, moving to the spot where he’d dropped his saddlebags. “I fear we will have to stop at Torridon on our way south so that I may retrieve my heavy battle armor. I do not intend to go up against my brother without it.”

Ridge and Alexander were following him to the door. “Torridon is not too far out of the way,” the king said. “In fact, it is along the road you must take south.”

Andrew heaved his saddlebags onto his shoulder, reaching down to pick up both of his broadswords. “It is not exactly on the road, but it is not too far from it,” he said. “The delay shall be minimal.”

He was just turning for the chamber door when the panel suddenly opened, spilling forth Sully and Donald. Sully’s eyes widened when he saw Andrew.

“God’s Bones!” he hissed. “You are alive! Where have you been?”

Andrew didn’t want to take the time to repeat his story. He was in a great hurry. “In a siren’s lair,” he muttered. When Sully’s features screwed up with confusion, he went to the man and put a brotherly arm on his shoulder. “I will tell you on the way. We are going to Haldane.”

Things were moving swiftly but Sully was ready.

He’d already had the conversation with the king about saving Josephine, so he already knew the situation, for the most part.

He also knew that they had an ally in Alexander, at least for the moment, with everyone wanting the same outcome– justice for Nicholas, safety for Josephine.

But the key factor in all of it had been Andrew, who had been missing up until that very moment. Sully didn’t know why Andrew had been missing, but he intended to find out as they headed off to rescue Josephine.

“I am going with you,” Sully said in a tone that left no room for argument. “Let me gather my things and meet you in the gatehouse.”

“I am going, too,” Donald announced. He had been devastated over Nicholas’ death and Josephine’s situation and, perhaps, even more than Andrew, had visions of vengeance on his mind. “I will meet ye at the gatehouse!”

He raced out of the chamber, well ahead of Sully, who was close on his heels. Andrew and Ridge were nearly through the door when Alexander called out to them. They paused, but the king was looking mostly at Andrew.

“I know I should not wish you luck in killing a man, but I will do just that,” he said seriously.

“When you kill your brother and marry my cousin, I hope you will consider forgiving a man for making a bad decision. I could not admit that until now. And I should look forward to a strong new alliance with the new Earl of Annan and Blackbank.”

Andrew could see that the man was sincere. Or, at least he thought he was sincere. But it would be good to have an alliance with the king, someone he could depend on in the greater scheme of things. A man who would be his cousin through his wife.

… his wife.

God, even thinking that was like music to his ears. But there would be no wife unless he got the hell out of Edinburgh, immediately.

“I believe we can have a strong alliance, my lord,” he said. “And when I kill my brother, it is possible that I will mention Nicholas’ name. Josephine was fond of the lad.”

Alexander nodded, his mood melancholy. “As was I.”

Andrew could see the emotion in the man’s face, shocking for the king he thought to be foolish and weak. He didn’t see that in him at the moment.

“I will not fail, I swear it.”

With that, he was gone, followed by Ridge. Alexander went to stand in the doorway, watching the two enormously powerful men moving down the corridor amongst the flickering torches. It was a surreal scene, as if they were both descending into the darkness.

The darkness of vengeance.

“I hope that is not the last we will see of either of them,” William Ward said over his shoulder.

Alexander turned to look at his chancellor. He came into the room, pondering that very thing.

“Somehow,” he said slowly, “I do not think that will be the last time. D’Vant is led by love, I think. He speaks of vengeance, but when he speaks of Josephine, all I can see in his face is his love for her. When one is led by love, failure is not possible.”

With that, he went back to his chamberlain as the man needed to finish dressing him, leaving William standing there, pondering his words.

When one is led by love, failure is not possible .

God, he hoped so.