Dark Awakening by Karlene Cameron

Author:Karlene Cameron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, love, fantasy, paranormal, historical, historical fantasy, love over time
Publisher: Black Velvet Seductions Publishing Company

Chapter Eighteen

Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom.

Marilyn Ferguson

Duncan lay in bed listening to the rise and fall of Caitriona’s breathing. The evenness of her breaths told him she was in a deep sleep. He brushed the back of his hand instinctively across her cheek, tracing the contours of her face to the hollow of her neck. His body tensed when he heard a sound in the woods. Immediately alert, Duncan propped himself on one elbow, careful not to awaken Caitriona. He heard the sound again, closer this time. Duncan rolled away from Caitriona and got out of bed, noting the cold chill that had settled upon the room. He donned his trews quietly; his military senses on full alert, fearing what his instincts already knew to be true.

Duncan quickly crossed to the window and carefully lifted the edge of the curtain, the embroidered edge belying the danger that awaited mere feet from the sanctuary of the cabin. Scanning the outline of trees, Duncan counted four shadows in his immediate line of sight. “Damnu,” he cursed softly. Finding Caitriona’s riding habit, he crossed to the bed. He bent close to her ear so as not to startle her. “Get dressed,” he whispered urgently, handing her the clothes she had washed at the stream the day before.

Caitriona’s eyes were immediately alert and she hastily took the clothes he had laid next to her. She pulled the dark, button up riding blouse across her shoulders, buttoning the shirt clumsily as she struggled to see in the darkness. Duncan put his finger to her lips, cautioning her to keep quiet. He could see her fear as she stood up and pulled the riding pants on, the memory of their love making hours earlier still fresh in his mind.

“Follow me,” Duncan whispered. Caitriona swept her hair into a pony tail as she hastily followed Duncan to the outer room. There, she tugged on her riding boots, struggling to keep the boots from clacking on the hard wood floors and giving away their position.

“Stay close,” he cautioned. At the look of concern in her eyes, he pulled her close, his mouth crushing hers in an urgent kiss that left him breathless. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “Everything will be fine, lass, I promise,” he added tucking his broadsword into the scabbard at his side.

Caitriona trembled uncontrollably but followed him to the back door. He pushed the door open just far enough for them both to slip quietly out into the dark night, Duncan's right hand never moving from the gold gilded handle of the gleaming sword. Mercifully, the door opened silently, providing him and his charge with a covert escape.

Caitriona stayed close. Duncan was assured of his step and knew the way, despite the lack of moonlight and the darkness that engulfed them. Time passed agonizingly slowly. They made very little progress as Duncan led them both just a few steps at a time and then stopped to listen. This pattern went on for almost fifteen minutes.

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