Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sophie's wrists burned where the rough rope bit into them, but she refused to show any sign of discomfort. Mason paced before her in the old watchtower, his familiar sneer twisting his features into something almost inhuman.
"Yer precious husband willnae find us," Mason taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "I made sure of that. By now, the huntin' party will be chasing shadows in the opposite direction."
Sophie lifted her chin defiantly. "Ye daenae ken Kenneth very well if ye think he can be so easily fooled."
The sharp crack of Mason's hand across her face caught her by surprise. She tasted blood where her lip had split, but still met his gaze steadily. She would not cower before him. Not anymore.
"Still so spirited," Mason sneered. "We'll see how long that lasts. Yer husband's reputation for trackin' means nothin'. I've planned this too carefully."
One of Mason's men shifted nervously by the window. "Me laird, perhaps we should move on. The MacAdams men—"
"Are chasing false trails," Mason snapped. "I had men lay multiple tracks, leadin' in different directions. Even the great Laird MacAdams cannae follow trails that daenae exist."
Sophie felt a surge of hope despite her situation. Mason's arrogance had always been his weakness. He didn't understand that Kenneth's tracking skills went far beyond simply following visible signs.
A sudden commotion outside drew everyone's attention. One of Mason's lookouts burst through the door, panic clear on his face. "Me laird! MacAdams—he's here! They've surrounded the tower!"
Mason's face contorted with rage. "Impossible!"
But Sophie had already heard it – the sounds of approaching horses, of men taking up positions. Her heart soared. Kenneth had found her, just as she knew he would.
The first clash of steel came from below as Kenneth's men engaged Mason's outer guards. Mason grabbed Sophie roughly, dragging her to her feet. "Ye're still me bargainin' chip, dear sister."
"I'm nae yer sister anymore," Sophie spat. "I'm Lady MacAdams now."
Mason's grip tightened painfully on her arm. "We'll see about that."
The door burst open, and Kenneth stood framed in the doorway, his sword drawn and his eyes blazing with cold fury. Sophie had never seen him look more magnificent – or more dangerous.
"Let her go, Mason," Kenneth growled in a low voice, his voice promising violence.
Mason yanked Sophie in front of him like a shield, pressing a dagger to her throat. "Nae another step, MacAdams, or yer precious wife bleeds."
Sophie met Kenneth's eyes, seeing the rage there tempered by fear for her safety. But she wasn't helpless anymore. Kenneth had taught her more than just archery in their lessons – he'd taught her to believe in her own strength.
With a swift movement, Sophie drove her elbow back into Mason's abdomen. He doubled over, his grip loosening just enough for her to wrench free. She dove toward the fallen bow one of Mason's men had dropped earlier, her bound hands closing around it even as chaos erupted around her.
Kenneth and Mason clashed in a fury of steel, their swords ringing in the confined space. Mason's men rushed to aid their laird, but Kenneth's superior skill was evident. He moved like a force of nature, each stroke precise and deadly.
"Kill her!" Mason screamed to his nearest man, seeing his plans crumbling. "Daenae let them have this victory!"
The man hesitated, clearly torn between his laird's command and the morality of killing a woman.
In that moment of indecision, Sophie rammed her shoulder into him, throwing off his balance just enough to buy precious seconds.
She scrambled toward a fallen bow, her bound hands making her movements clumsy, desperate.
"Kill her!" Mason screamed again, locked in combat with Kenneth.
Kenneth's eyes met hers across the chamber.
In one fluid motion, he threw his dirk, the blade slicing through her bonds.
Sophie's hands were just closing around the bow when Mason's man recovered, lunging for her.
Her lessons with Kenneth flashed through her mind as she nocked an arrow with trembling fingers.
The man was so close - she couldn't miss at this distance.
Her arrow struck his leg, sending him stumbling back with a howl of pain.
Mason's face twisted with hatred as he saw his last advantage disappear. "Ye always were a disappointment," he snarled at Sophie. "Just like our faither."
"Our faither was a good man," Sophie shot back, tears pricking her eyes. "Ye're the only disappointment here, brother."
With a roar of rage, Mason launched himself at her, blade raised. But Kenneth was faster. His sword caught Mason in the side, driving deep. Mason's eyes widened in shock as he looked down at the steel protruding from his body.
"That was for threatenin' me wife," Kenneth said coldly, twisting the blade before withdrawing it. Mason crumpled to the floor, blood spreading rapidly across his chest.
Sophie watched her brother's life drain away, feeling a complex mix of emotions – relief, sadness, and finally, a sense of freedom. The man who had tormented her for so long would never hurt anyone again.
Kenneth was at her side in an instant, cutting her bonds with gentle hands that belied the violence they'd just delivered. "Are ye hurt, mo chridhe?" he asked, his voice rough with concern as his fingers traced the bruise forming on her cheek.
"I'm alright," Sophie assured him, leaning into his touch. "I kenned ye'd find me."
"Always," Kenneth promised fiercely, pulling her into his arms. "I'll always find ye, Sophie."
She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent of leather and pine, feeling truly safe for the first time since her capture. Around them, Kenneth's men were securing the remaining prisoners, but Sophie barely noticed.
"Ye fought well," Kenneth murmured into her hair. "That shot..." Pride colored his voice. "Ye've learned more than just archery, it seems."
Sophie pulled back just enough to look up at him. "I had an excellent teacher. In more ways than one."
The look Kenneth gave her was full of such intense emotion that it took her breath away. Before he could speak, however, Lachlan appeared in the doorway.
"The area is secure, me laird," he reported. "Laird MacDean and the others are keepin' watch outside."
Kenneth nodded, his arms tightening protectively around Sophie. "Any casualties among our men?"
"Just a few minor injuries," Lachlan assured them. "Nothing serious."
Relief washed over Sophie. No one else would die because of her brother's madness. She looked at Mason's still form, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion.
"It's over," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "It's really over."
Kenneth pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "Aye, mo chridhe. Ye're free of him now. Forever."