Page 74 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
The child seemed heavier since the last time Morgana had held her in such a manner. Of course, living in the castle, where plentiful food was available, would add weight to anyone.
Morgana felt her heart swell at the idea of her siblings being safe and cared for. Ryder certainly took care of the clan, even if they despised him for it. And that extended to her family.
“I cannae sleep. Eloise said she saw a shadow in the chambers,” Poppy sniffed as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
The poor child looked as if she would keel over at any moment.
Morgana pressed her sister’s head to her shoulder and started down the hallway back to Poppy’s chambers. She hummed a soothing tune, the sound of her voice carrying and dancing along the walls.
They had not even reached the stairs before Poppy was snoring on her shoulder.
“Come along, dear one,” Morgana cooed, making sure her steps were lighter than air.
The last thing she wanted was for Poppy to wake up once more. But at least she would have an alibi if Ryder ever asked where she was. Now, all she had to do was get out of the castle and back in before anyone rose in the morning.
Putting Poppy to bed was as simple as tucking the girl under the blankets and pushing her doll to her chest. Poppy instinctively grabbed the doll and hugged it.
Morgana smiled as she leaned over the child and pressed her lips to her forehead.
“Sleep well, my love,” she whispered, before making her way out of the room.
Tip-toeing back down the hallway, Morgana had finally figured out the route she was going to take out of the castle. It was the only one she was certain wouldn’t be watched. It was also the one closest to Ryder’s room. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be looking out the window as she crept out. But with a cloak and a prayer, Morgana was willing to risk everything to find Feya.
With one thought pushing her onward, she draped her cloak over her shoulders and tucked her locks beneath it. She drew the hood over her head and let out a shaky sigh.
Time was not on her side. The night would only shroud her for so long. If she was going to go, she needed to get out of the castle now.
Her toes barely touched the steps as she raced for the pantry exit. It was there, through the cellar and out the east side of the castle, that she planned her escape. It would spit her right out under Ryder’s balcony, but as long as the moon remained hidden behind the clouds, she had a chance.
Glancing over her shoulder, Morgana wished she could ease the tight knot in her stomach. She wasn’t sure if it was dread of what Feya might be going through or nervousness for disobeying her husband. Either way, the feeling wasn’t going away, no matter how she spun the story in her head.
She burst into the cellar. The room was as still as a grave, with only a cat lying on the table. The creature looked up at her with the most pitiful yawn before lowering its head to its paws, as if it had no care in the world. Its calm was a balm to Morgana’s weary soul.
She let out the breath she had been holding in and rolled her shoulders back.
“What am I doin’?” she whispered, her hand on the knob.
Her heart was racing madly in her chest. She glanced over her shoulder, hesitating.
The fact that she was struggling with the idea only frustrated her further. If she had been married to any other man, she would have raced out the door in a flash. So why then did it matter to her that she was breaking her vow to Ryder?
It was as if her loyalty compass had shifted to a different north. Instead of the needle constantly pointing to her family, it was now pointing to Ryder.
“I’m sorry, I have to,” she mumbled and pulled open the door.
Fresh air drifted in, her kissing her nose and cheeks. It soothed her hot flesh as she stepped out into the night.
Closing her eyes, Morgana savored the moment. A stillness surrounded her, giving her a blanket of peace. But the sound of booted steps over her head snapped her back to reality. Her heart sank into her stomach as fear tightened around her throat, threatening to choke the life out of her.
Her eyes flicked to the balcony.
Ryder.
There were only two options she could think of. She could make a break for the corner of the castle, hoping he wasn’t paying attention, or she could admit defeat and march back up to her chambers.
Morgana pressed her lips into a tight line.
“Och! Now, who are ye?” a voice called from behind her, startling her.
