Free An Oath Sworn by Diana Cosby Page B

leather bound writ and sobered. How could he stay? Somewhere in the Highlands, King Philip’s bastard daughter was being held against her will, her abduction blamed upon rebel Scots. An accusation Renard might already have conveyed to the French king.
    Unless this writ from Robert Bruce, explaining the English noble’s contemptible ploy, reached King Philip, Scotland’s support from France might be lost.
    Neither could Colyne forget that more than his country’s freedom lay at stake. The threat now included Alesia’s life.
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    Desperation had Marie reaching out for him. “I . . .” What? Need you? She stared at Colyne, her cheeks burning from her near revelation. She couldn’t need or want him. That he’d entrusted her with an important missive had deeply moved her, how could it not? “Be safe.”
    Only his smile answered, a look so tender it made her ache.
    His mouth claimed hers in rushed desperation, and then he broke the kiss. “I will return.” Stone scraped beneath his feet as he slipped into the downpour.
    Trembling, Marie settled against the stone wall. She stared at the raindrops collecting in the puddle left by his footprints. Never could she think of Colyne as anything more than a friend, but shamefully, she’d already overstepped boundaries she had no right to ignore.
    Why couldn’t she have met him before agreeing to the betrothal with the duke? But she had, and ’twas a promise to her father she could not break. She released a sigh into the misted silence and drew the writ against her chest. “Please come back to me, Colyne.”
    The monotonous batter of rain continued. She traced her finger along the sewn edge of the bound leather.
    A writ.
    Her father often sent messages of import through similar means. Was this the secret Colyne kept hidden from her? If so, why hadn’t she discovered the document when she’d removed his mail and garb to tend to him back at the cave? She frowned. He must have hidden it within the thick folds of his undershirt, and with her nerves on edge she’d missed it.
    Curiosity bade her to untie the damp straps and discover the contents, or at least view the sender’s seal. Honor stilled her hand. Whatever message lay secured within belonged to another. She’d promised Colyne she would deliver the writ into safe hands if he didn’t return. If his brave act cost him his life, then so help her, she would follow through on her vow.
    The wind-whipped rain increased. Lightning flashed overhead. Thunder shuddered with another ferocious blast.
    Squeals of frightened horses rent the air. Moments later, the knights’ mounts galloped past.
    Shouts rose above the fury of the storm. Blurs of angry men appeared on the hilltop, running after their steeds. Then, they too, disappeared into the forest.
    Time passed with an ominous hand.
    Marie edged to the entry of her small haven, her face inches from the lash of rain. With a shiver against the damp air, she searched the steep hills, scanning past the rain-soaked trees, their limbs and leaves caught in a macabre dance.
    Every distant shout of the outraged knights left her further unsettled. Had they spotted Colyne among the horses?
    Was he caught?
    Or dead?
    She hugged herself and prayed.
    Rumbles of thunder shattered around her. The rain fell faster.
    Still, Colyne didn’t return.
    She refused to give up hope. He was alive. But each passing second added doubts to his fate.
    At the slap of leather against stone outside the entrance, Marie withdrew her dagger.
    â€œ ’Tis Colyne,” he said, his breath coming fast as he slipped inside, his clothing soaking wet, his face haggard.
    With a cry of relief, she sheathed her weapon and threw herself into his arms. He hauled her against him and moved deeper into their cramped shelter. Then he was kissing her as if she were his entire world, his mouth hungrily stealing her every moan.
    Colyne broke the