The brisk morning air on his skin brought droplets of water, and Nickolas was grateful for the coat Seamus had given him. It covered the multitude of weapons he was carrying.

The physician had insisted they wait another day before any kind of traveling, and worried as she was, Cassandra had thought if for the best, too. Walking was still a chore, but he had been injured much, much worse before, and this wasn't anything he couldn't handle.

Reaching out, he moved Cassandra's hair aside and squeezed her shoulder. She turned to look at him, and he could read the fear and worry in her expression. Tears welled in her eyes when she looked at him, and she buried her face in his shoulder, leaning into him for reassurance.

If he allowed himself to admit it, he was worried, too. Worried they wouldn't get there in time. All this time, he'd thought he was far ahead of Granger, dancing just out of reach. He'd thought he was the goal, but his running had merely been something to keep him occupied.

The real target had been to get Cassandra separated from her sister without a word of warning, leaving her father no choice but to come up here in search of her. It had worked. Nickolas had unwittingly assisted Granger one last time, and it infuriated him.

However, they were making surprisingly good time, and sitting here in a rickety wagon, driven by a one-legged man, who looked like the best of his years were far behind him, they looked like nothing more than common ilk. No one would trouble them on the road. There was still hope, and Nickolas intended to do everything in his power to stop Granger, no matter the cost.

"Will you tell me what happened now?" Cassandra's voice was small.

She needed a distraction desperately. At this rate, their journey would be torture for her, and this was the least he could do to pass the time.

"I got ambushed on the way." He said, wrapping his arms more tightly around her. "Ridiculously enough, I was anticipating it. I knew they weren't going to attack when we were in town, surrounded by people, so I was waiting for them. I got lost in my thoughts, though." He paused for a moment. "That's the first time that's happened to me in years."

"What were you thinking about?" She sniffed.

"What do you think?" She looked up at him. "Breakfast." He grinned.

"Is that so?" She raised a brow.

"Anyway," he turned his gaze to the horizon, licking his lips to try to hide the sheepish grin he felt tugging at the corners of his lips. "I have never been so useless in a fight. They had the upper hand from the start, and then Fulsmith swooped in to finish it off." She hugged him closer. "I thought I was going to die there. Bleeding out on the ground, I looked up into his face and knew my end had come. I was cut to ribbons, and he had only to deliver the final blow."

Cassandra found his hand and held it gently in her own. "And what about this?" She stroked a finger over the layer of bandages on his wrist. The bone was fractured. "The physician said you were lucky. Whatever caused the injury nearly could have crippled your hand." She fiddled with his fingers. "That would have been a shame. I'm rather fond of these." She laced her fingers through his.

"Well, you know me." He shrugged. "I wasn't just going to give up. I started reaching for one of the weapons I'd dropped earlier in the fight, and Fulsmith stomped on my arm to stop me." Her grip on the hand tightened as though she were imagining the pain he must have felt at the blow.

"Then?" Her voice was so small.

"He was poised to end it all, but the blow never came. They swooped in, silent as ghosts, and I think they might have killed him with their bare hands, Cassie. There were rocks involved somewhere, but those women killed him before he had a chance to fight back."

Cassandra sat upright. "Women?"

"Yes," Nickolas said simply. "I warned one of them to leave Fulsmith's manor that night, but she must have taken the other with her. They didn't say a word and disappeared like a cloud of smoke when he was dead."

"They must have been the women that got me dressed." Cassandra frowned slightly. "He cut out their tongues." She looked up at him with eyes that reflected memories she'd rather forget.

"They must have followed him and his men when they dragged him out of the manor before it collapsed." Nickolas massaged her shoulder gently.

"I wonder what will become of them." She breathed.

"Me too." He pulled her close to him again.

"How did you get away? Didn't Fulsmith's men want to finish his work for him?" She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I didn't stop to ask them, and unless they've found the key to immortality, they won't bother anyone else ever again." She shuddered.

"Will our lives always be this way? Will we be killing and running until we're the ones killed?" She sounded tired. "I want to run all over the world with you, Nickolas, but I don't want to constantly be looking over my shoulder when I do."

"I like those words 'we' and 'our'." Nickolas smiled. "And saying 'the rest of our lives' like that makes me believe in a future, and that's a lot for me, Cassie. Believe me." He cleared his throat. "We have to stop Granger, but after that's done, I plan to take you traveling until you're sick of it. I want to show you everything I've seen, and I want to see new things with you beside me. I have no promises that my past won't catch up to us along the way."

He sighed. "I wish I could tell you that after this we'd never have to face another bad memory again or that my actions would never affect you, but I can't. Honestly, I can't promise anything. The path ahead of me is filled with unanswered questions and uncertainties. If that's not something you want, Cassie, we can call all this off now." He pushed her away gently, so he could see her face. "I'll still help you, and I'll do what I can to keep you safe, but I won't ask for anything in return. It's your choice."

She smiled suddenly. "And after those. . .unpleasantries from your past come up, how will you make it up to me?"

He smirked. "You have no idea what I plan to do to you." He trailed a finger down the side of her neck, and she shuddered, leaning into his touch.

"Why don't you give me one?" She bit her lip, grinning.

"Sweetheart, I think you've forgotten that Seamus is within earshot." He leaned closer, so his breath stirred the hairs near her ears.

"It's funny you should finally think of that now, boy." Seamus half turned in his seat to look at them.

Cassandra turned beat red, sitting bolt upright as though she'd been caught stealing. Nickolas chuckled at her reaction, and he could see the amusement in the older man's eyes as well.

"Are we making good time?" He grinned.

"As good as can be expected in a wagon." Seamus replied. "But if I have to hear one more mooney word from either of you, I'll dump you out on the side of the road and never look back."

Cassandra's blush intensified.

"If you need to rest or sleep for a bit, just say the world, and I'll drive." Nickolas offered as a means of changing the subject. As much as it amused him how shy Cassandra was around Seamus, she probably wasn't ready for the full extent of the old man's teasing just yet.

"Nope. You hired me as your driver, and that's what I'll be. Old people never sleep, anyway." Seamus said briskly. "Besides, you're the one who should be getting your rest."

"He's right." Cassandra whispered, recovering from her embarrassment enough to look up at him. "You should sleep."

Nickolas looked at her and nodded. He knew he should rest, but here, in the middle of the day, while they were traveling. . .could he risk it? He shut his eyes briefly, calculating the possibilities.

Cassandra's hand on his cheek stopped his brain, and his eyes snapped open. She gave him a small smile, and he knew she understood. Somehow, she always seemed to be able to see through him.

She leaned closer to him, laying her head on his chest and forcing him to lean back into the side of the wagon. Drawing a blanket around her shoulders, he laid his head on hers, wrapping his arms around her. He could rest holding her. Knowing she was safe in his arms, he could sleep. Sleep for her.

•>>><><<<•

Seamus knew the ins and outs of their route like the back of his hand, and he somehow always managed to be near a village, where they could find adequate lodging, when night fell. Nickolas noticed, too, that despite the older man's insistence that they were safe, Seamus kept a wary eye out when they stopped. It wasn't really that the old pirate thought they were in danger—he was simply looking out for the people he cared about while allowing Cassandra and Nickolas a chance to relax a little in each other's company.

They had run so fast and hard since they'd started this whole thing that simply being with each other seemed like a rare treat. Even in their moments of peace, however, the knowledge of the danger her family was in hung over them like a black cloud. Lying in each other's arms at night, they clung to the one thing that was certain in the midst of this mess: each other.

On the third day, the landscape began to be familiar. They passed a people that Nickolas recognized from the village, and he knew they were close. By his calculations, they would reach Fergus Manor by mid-afternoon.

Cassandra must have realized how close they were. She sat in the corner of the wagon, holding on so tightly her fingers were white with the effort. Everything about her posture was on edge, and she was paler than usual.

She hadn't seen her sister in a long time, and it had been even longer since she'd seen her father. Knowing the danger they were in could only stir apprehension within her. The uncertainty of what she would find when they arrived was having obvious affect on her.

Nickolas reached over and gently pried her hand loose, holding it gently in his own. She looked up at him, and he saw the tears building in her eyes before she quickly turned away. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and moved closer to her.

She was trying her best to be strong. Obviously, the thought of letting all her emotions go in front of Seamus made her uncomfortable. She was scared, but she didn't want anyone to know.

Nickolas wrapped his arm around her and pressed his lips to her forehead. "It's going to be ok." He whispered.

She swallowed audibly but didn't look at him. He saw her lower lip trembling and wished there was more he could do. She blinked rapidly to keep the tears away, and he hugged her closer.

By the time the manor came in sight, Cassandra was clutching his hand so tightly it had gone numb. It was obvious she was struggling to keep her breathing even, and she had bitten her lower lip until it bled.

She leapt out of the wagon, pulling him behind her, before it had fully come to a stop in the courtyard. Hesitating for only a brief moment at the bottom of the steps, she charged toward the door as if she might not make it if she walked.

When they reached the door, she looked at Nickolas, terrified. Tightening his grip on her hand, he reached for the bell rope just as the giant doors swung open.

"Well, I refu—" Lord Antrucha's words died on his lips as he caught sight of his daughter.

It was obvious from his apparel that he'd been about to go out, and from the rippled appearance of his clothes, he'd been in a hurry. Dark circles under his eyes betrayed the fact that he hadn't been sleeping well, and it was little wonder: his daughter had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

"Father!" Cassandra said in relief, her voice trembling as tears trickled down her cheeks.

Lord Antrucha closed the distance between them in two steps, enveloping her in a tight hug. Words of relief streamed from his lips, his eyes falling shut as he held her.

"Oh, my Cassie. My Cassie!" He breathed.

Nickolas kept his distance, allowing them their moment. There was such unbridled joy on Cassandra's face. He hadn't seen her so happy in a very, very long time.

Lord Antrucha's eyes opened, and keeping his arm around Cassandra, he turned to look at Nickolas. "Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me, Mr—?"

Nickolas opened his mouth to respond, but another voice cut him off.

"This is the so-called Graham McRoberts." Ethan said, his words laced with venom.

Nickolas noticed Charles Fergus and Ethan standing on the doorstep at that moment. Their appearance was similar to Lord Antrucha's, but they wore looks of hatred. When he turned back to Cassandra, her father had positioned himself subtly between the two of them and was glaring ferociously at him.

"I don't know what you think you're doing here like this, but leave. Get off this property before I lose all my self control." Lord Antrucha bared his teeth.

"Father!" Cassandra gasped, clutching her father's arm.

"No, Cassandra. He has to go." Lord Antrucha's nostrils flared slightly, and Charles and Ethan moved closer to him.

"Your things will be sent to the village pub." Charles, ever the diplomat, said. "There's no need for you to ever set foot on this property again."

"What's going on?" Cassandra cried, trying to push past her father and brother-in-law. "You can't just do this! He's the reason I'm alive!"

"But also the reason you were in danger to begin with." Ethan seethed. "We know who you are." He directed this statement toward Nickolas. "And we want nothing more to do with you. You have our thanks for returning Cassandra to us, but don't push your luck." The words were an unmistakable threat.

"No!" Cassandra was close to screaming in frustration. "You don't underst—"

"Cassie, it's fine." Nickolas interrupted her, looking into her eyes. "I'll go." He didn't look away from her as he spoke to the others. "But I'll be back tomorrow to talk to you, and you will listen to me." He turned to Lord Antrucha, holding the older man's gaze steadily.

Without another word, he turned and descended the stairs, feeling empty and hollow like he'd forgotten something incredibly important. Behind him, he could hear Cassandra pleading with her father. His presence was already causing her more pain, but he couldn't leave. Not without her. So he would stay, and he would protect them even if they never thanked him for it.

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Gosh, it took me forever to get this up. . . .blah! I'm at a point in the story where I keep having to tell myself that this is the first draft, so it doesn't have to be perfect while simultaneously telling myself it must be the pinnacle of all perfection. . .yeah, it's fun. . .

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this installment! What do you think will happen next? What's up with everyone not liking Nickolas? Will Cassie and Nick be able to convince everyone (namely Ezra) to let them get married or will their relationship come to an abrupt, unsatisfactory end?? When I get behind the keyboard, one never knows tbh 😝.