Morning came swiftly and with it, orders given to soldiers to search every which way for Declan Harp. I frowned, us peering from behind a large wooden crate and watching the men dash by with their muskets. We were in an alleyway, just waiting for someone to pass by.
"Here we go," Declan whispered, ducking behind the crate as one solider paused and maneuvered his way down towards us. I knew the drill, staying low, quiet, and never seen. I nodded as his footsteps were heard and my husband prepared.
When the solider was in view, Declan's hand snatched around his neck and left him to gargle his air. I moved, letting my lover shove the lad into the wall of fence. Swiftly, his fist connected to the lad's face and silenced him.
I shook myself as we let another gaggle of soldiers pass before stepping out. I kept my head down and distance short, blending in with the population of the locked-down fort. I followed his lead, sticking to alleys and shadows. We neared an area decently covered, his body crouching. "I have at least one friend left in the Fort. If we're going to survive this, we'll need her help."
"Grace?" I asked.
"The very same," he nodded. I agreed, staying low and patient as we waited for her. I wasn't sure how she knew to come find us but when Declan sprang up and wrapped his hands around her mouth, I didn't question it. "Grace," he spoke her name, my body pressed between his and the barrels we hid behind. "Are you alright?"
She looked startled, like she was seeing a ghost. Pale skin, lively hair, but wide eyes that allowed me to believe my observations true. "Am I alright?" she repeated. "Have you lost your bloody mind, stealing those furs?"
"I'm sorry," Declan apologized.
"Sorry?" she repeated, again. The two regarded each other, her eyes flickering over me too. "I suppose one of ye is bleeding somewhere?"
Declan's hand was clenched around my forearm, using it to help stable him. He's had a limp, his stance swaying as he readjusted. "It's nothing."
"And you?" she asked me.
"Nothing but a few minor cuts and bruises, ma'am," I answered.
"Lets get you two off these streets and out of this Fort," Grace spoke with a fierce and wild determination I was impressed by.
I swayed on my own feet, nausea swirling inside of me as Declan took my hand and looked to me in concern. "What is it?"
"Nothing," I waved. "Just been getting sick on the occasions."
"What?" He asked, looking into my eyes. "Why haven't I-"
"McTaggart was usually the one to wake and hold my hair back," I chuckled. "I'm fine. Let's go."
"You sure?" Grace asked, kindness in her voice. "We can-"
"No, lets go. The sooner, the better, ey?"
Declan nodded, hand clasped in mine tightly as he then gave Grace the okay. She lead us around the Fort, creeping here and there and keeping to the perimeter of things. She was stealthy, nobody ever looking twice at her as she helped us along. The morning sun was up now, caressing our cheeks as the cold left them pinkish.
We paused along the back of what looked to have been an old shed. "It's clear," she confirmed, having a look into the window. We moved forward, exposing ourselves for only a moment as Grace opened the door and let us all slink through. I breathed a small sigh of relief when inside, standing by the other woman as Declan handled the door.
"They've closed the west gates," she spoke, wrangling her gloves in hand. "Maybe we can sneak you over the wall."
Looking around, Declan replied, "Unless you've got a 15-foot ladder in here."
"You're not helping," Grace accused, my body leaning on a nearby table as Declan stalked closer. I took a few deep breaths, the two friends regarding the other as silence fell. "What happened, Declan? Benton's gone. I had the bounty lifted."
"Got married," I imputed, stomach knotting as I grimaced and spat into the dirt when my mouth watered excessively.
"And you got married," Grace nodded. "Why throw that away?"
"You know why," he answered.
"Then stop being a fucking coward and say it." I looked up as Grace swore, my husband not flinching in the least bit. I was curious, I had no real idea what they were talking about. And it seemed like I wouldn't as Declan remained silent. "So you'd risk dying under their boot, your wife too, but you can't even admit why. You haven't changed." Declan neared me, hand moving to my back as he let me lean into his body.
"You should leave here," Declan spoke, the sickness passing a bit.
"You came back here to tell me that?" Grace asked.
My husband shifted, still supporting me as he released a few sighs as Grace turned to fully confront him. "What I mean is.... I came back... because what happened in Montreal, it ended badly between us," Declan admitted, my ears perking up a bit.
"How should it have ended?"
"Uh, different?" Declan spoke, not sounding too sure of himself now. "I just.. Grace, we've been friends for years and the way it all ended... I couldn't-"
"How did things end?" I asked, finally fed up with being out of the loop. Grace looked at me with wide eyes, seemingly shocked I'd speak up. Declan's hand stopped moving along my back as I straightened up. "Yeah, I'm still here. And listening. And I'm curious, what all went down in Montreal? What needs to be mended here?"
It was silent for a bit, their eyes now avoiding mine. "We've known each other for years," the woman spoke. "Been friends. I was here when his wife and child were murdered, helped nurse him to health again and back onto his feet. And-and in that time, Meera," she then cleared her throat. "In that time I fell in love with your husband. But he only saw me as a friend, a caregiver. Nothing more. I'd no idea about you until Montreal so while there, I confessed everything and wanted nothing more than for his love to be returned finally. But then, I realized, he had given it all to you and there was none to give to me."
I stood up, brows furrowed. "Christ, I'm sorry.."
"Sorry?" she asked in disbelief. "You're sorry I love your husband? And just admitted it?"
"I am. There's nothing good from unrequited love so I do offer my heart for you, lass. It's not easy, Christ, and then to have met me? I'd hate me if I were you.."
"I'm sorry," she choked. "We've known each other for years-"
"I've heard," I nodded. "And knowing Declan, he couldn't deal with ending things poorly between your friendship."
"I didn't mean to drag you into this," Declan finally spoke.
"I would have been no matter what so what difference is it now?" I asked.
"The difference is you're probably with a child," Grace spoke. I looked to her, brows furrowed. "Said you'd been getting sick? In the mornings, eh?"
"Right," I nodded.
"Been bleeding too?"
"Not entirely, no. Bit of spotting here and there- what are you on about?" I asked the Grace Emberly, woman in love with my husband, Declan Harp. "Just off those few things you think you know if I'm pregnant or not?"
