The Renegade (Rebel Hearts, #1) by Baldwin Lily

Author:Baldwin, Lily
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lily Baldwin
Published: 2020-04-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Nathan sat huddled in the corner deep within the belly of a ship, rocking back and forth while great swells crashed and thunder rumbled. Water leaked through cracks in the deck, soaking him. He heard the cries of sailors fighting the storm and the ship creaking against the might of the angry sea.

“Nathan,” a soft voice said.

He jerked around. There, in the opposite corner, was a lass with her legs curled up to her chest and fear blazing in her blue eyes. Her wet black curls clung to her ashen face.

“Nathan, I’m afraid. I don’t want to die.”

Nathan sat up with a start. Sweat dripped from his temples. His breaths came in short bursts. He swept his blanket off and swung his legs over the side of the bed and cradled his pounding head in his hands. Cait’s plea still echoed in his mind.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so very sorry.”

He couldn’t escape his dream. Standing, he seized his plaid and belted it around his hips, leaving the upper folds to hang from his waist. Then he crossed his chamber floor and slowly opened his door enough to peer out. Torch fire, set in sconces along the hallway walls, cast dancing shadows on the ceiling. He listened intently, but no one stirred.

Stepping from his chamber, he eased the door shut behind him. Then, he quietly made his way down to the great hall where he spied several servants asleep on pallets laid out near the hearth. Softly padding barefoot across the cold stone floor, he entered the kitchen and headed straight for the buttery where he claimed a flagon of wine. Hooking his finger through the ring at the neck, he brought the vessel to his lips, taking a long draught. He closed is eyes, savoring the rich flavor, and expelled a long breath. With the flagon still hooked on his finger, he returned to the great hall and sat in a high-backed chair just to the side of the hearth.

His gaze passed over the servants who were still fast asleep. Then he shifted his gaze to the fire, which hissed and crackled, the flames dancing wildly. After several more draughts of wine, he laid his head back and closed his eyes. No longer did raven-black curls and blue eyes fill his mind. Nor could he hear his father’s voice raised in anger, telling him to be gone from his sight, to leave Campbell lands and never return.

The familiar numbness had begun to set in.

He was about to drift back to sleep when something wet nudged his hand. He opened his eyes and met the gaze of a dog with floppy ears, short gray hair, and beseeching yellow eyes.

Nathan scratched behind the animal’s ear. “Thank ye, my friend,” he whispered. “It wouldn’t do for Elora to find me here on the morrow.”

He stood up and motioned for the dog to follow him into the kitchen. In the pantry, he found some cooked ribs and offered one to his furry

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