by Maya Banks
The king rose, his expression dark as he stared at the goings-on. “Is this true, Laird McDonald? Did you try to rape a child under your own care and protection? And you attacked her once again under Laird McCabe’s roof?”
The laird remained silent as he nursed his bloodied mouth.
“Aye, he did,” Rionna said quietly. “I was there.”
“Disloyal bitch!” the laird spat.
Caelen rounded on the laird again. “ ’Tis my future wife you insult. I would suggest you strongly reconsider any words you have to say to her in the future.”
The king rubbed his fingers wearily over the bridge of his nose. “What think you of this, Ewan? Can we still salvage this alliance and will the others join with us in our cause?”
Ewan lifted a brow and then surveyed the occupants of the hall, most of whom had remained silent as they observed what had transpired between the McDonalds and the McCabes.
“Why don’t you ask them?”
The king chuckled. “A sound idea indeed, Ewan.”
He raised his hands for quiet and then addressed the crowded room. “What say you, Lairds? If Caelen McCabe marries Rionna McDonald and seals Neamh Álainn to the McCabe lands here via the alliance with the McDonalds, will you join with us in our fight against Duncan Cameron and Malcolm?”
One by one, the lairds stepped forward, the only sound, their boots scraping against the floor.
“I refuse to ally myself with a coward who preys on children,” one laird called out. “If Caelen McCabe becomes laird upon his marriage to Rionna McDonald, then aye, I’ll join and swear my allegiance to Your Majesty and to the McCabes.”
The other lairds nodded and voiced their agreement.
“There is but one last question to ask,” Caelen spoke up.
All heads turned in his direction, but he turned his gaze on Rionna, who still stood ramrod straight and pale in the center of the room.
“Are you willing to wed with me and not Alaric McCabe, Rionna McDonald?”
Rionna stared at her father and shook her head in a gesture of sorrow. Finally she looked up at Caelen and met his gaze with her captivating golden eyes.
“Aye, Caelen McCabe. You have proven a worthy and loyal friend to Keeley and brother to Alaric.”
“And do you support me becoming laird upon our marriage and for your father to step down?”
This time she didn’t even hesitate. “I do not want him on our lands.”
The room buzzed with shock over her words. Laird McDonald blanched and then shoved himself upward again. “You ungrateful bitch! Where do you think me to go?”
“I care not. But you are not welcome on McDonald lands any longer.”
Caelen lifted an eyebrow in surprise and then exchanged glances with Alaric. Neither of the brothers had expected such. It was evident from the McDonalds’ earlier visits that there was tension between father and daughter, but they weren’t prepared for Rionna’s emotionless dictate.
“ ’Tis settled then,” the king said. “ ’Twould appear we have a wedding to attend after all.”
CHAPTER 39
Alaric met Caelen just as Alaric was about to enter Keeley’s bedchamber. “Give her my love and tell her I never doubted her for a second,” Caelen said with faint amusement.
“I will. And Caelen, thank you. I don’t even know what to say. That you would step in like that for me and for Keeley. Neither of us can ever hope to repay you.”
Caelen smiled. “I learned a lot from your lass, Alaric. I’ve never met someone as fiercely loyal and selfless as her. She refused to allow me to tell you of McDonald’s attack because she knew what you would do and she worried it would ruin the marriage between you and Rionna. She knew how much this alliance meant to our clan, and since she considers the McCabes her family now, she was willing to put aside her own personal wants and desires to do what she thought was best for her family. How could I do anything less?”
“Have a care with Rionna,” Alaric warned. “Mairin worried that I’d be too hard on her, and if she worried that about me, I can only imagine her fears of how you’ll be.”
Caelen snorted.
“Mairin seems to think we all want to handle her with a strong hand and crush the part of her that makes her special.” Alaric shrugged. “I have no idea what she means, but there you have it. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that she goes around in man’s clothing and can wield a sword and ride a horse better than most warriors.”
“She’ll do as I tell her,” Caelen said lazily.
“I wish now I was there to witness it.”
“Go now and see your lady. Your wife,” Caelen amended.
Alaric clapped Caelen on the shoulder and then entered Keeley’s chamber. To his surprise, Gannon sat on the bed next to Keeley, wiping her brow with a damp cloth.
He nearly laughed. Keeley had made conquests of them all. It wouldn’t surprise him if the whole of the clan took a turn caring for Keeley.
Gannon looked up and saw Alaric. “Maddie took Mairin down so she could nurse the babe. I was to care for her until one of you returned.”
Alaric nodded then motioned for Gannon to get up. “How is she? Has she been conscious?”
“She’s sweating off the fever and has been so hot that we’ve had to open the window to let cooler air in. She drifts in and out, though I think she’s more sleeping than being unconscious.”
Alaric breathed in sweet relief and savored the taste on his tongue.
“You can go now. I’ll take care of her from now on.”
Gannon paused at the door. “What happened down there? There was talk of the king commanding you to set Keeley aside.”
Alaric smiled. “Aye, he did.”
Gannon scowled and his shoulders puffed up like he was about to explode.
“I declined.”
Gannon lifted an eyebrow in shock. “You said nay to the king?”
“Aye, I did,” Alaric said ruefully. “ ’Twas easier than I thought it would be.”
“What will happen?”
“ ’Tis a long story and if you’ll go find Caelen, I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to fill you in. Right now, I have need to see my lady wife and tell her I love her again.”
Gannon smiled and beat a hasty retreat from the room.
Alaric hastened to Keeley’s side and tucked himself in next to her. She cuddled against his body and he absorbed the delightful sensation of her flesh against his, so warm and soft. Delicate and infinitely fragile against his much larger frame.
She was a miracle. His miracle. One he’d thank God for every day for the rest of his life.
“Alaric?” she whispered.
“Aye, love?”
“Are you setting me aside? Because I’ll tell you ’tis a rotten thing to do after I live. I’ll not go so quietly this time. You’re my husband, and I won’t just give up my husband so he can marry another.”
The petulance in her voice made him chuckle. She sounded supremely irritated and aggrieved that such a thing was possible.
He kissed her nose and laid his cheek against hers. “Nay, love. You’re stuck with me, I’m afraid. I’ve defied the king and my brother and about twelve other clans in the process, not to mention the bastard Laird McDonald who you did not tell me had attacked you just days ago.”
“Mmm, you did all that for me?” she asked sleepily.
“Aye, I did.”
She smiled against his neck. “I love you. Did I tell you that I strongly considered dying but that I couldn’t stand the thought of never seeing you, even if you were married to another woman?”
He scowled down at her and touched her chin so that she’d look straight into his eyes. “You’ll not ever even think of such a thing again, do you hear? I forbid you from dying.”
“Very well then, since you forbid it, I should tell you that I plan to make a full recovery. The wound is very painful and ’tis the truth I feel like retching every time I move wrong, but I plan to be up and
around in a week’s time, mark my words.”
He chuckled at the arrogant words and then hushed her with a gentle kiss to her mouth.
“I love you, Keeley McCabe. You are truly a McCabe now. We are married in the eyes of God and our clansmen. All that is required now is the consummation.”
She groaned. “That part’s going to have to wait awhile.”
He hugged her to him as carefully as he was able and he just held on, absorbing the sheer joy of having her alive, belonging to him, of being able to tell the world he loved her.
“I’ll wait as long as it takes, my love. We have the rest of our lives to consummate our marriage. In fact, I think we should make it a point to consummate it on a daily basis. After you are well, of course.”
She sighed and pressed her cheek to his chest. “I love you, Alaric McCabe. And I’m willing to do a trial run of our consummation next week if you should so desire.”
He laughed and maneuvered so he could capture her lips in a long, delicious kiss. “ ‘So desire’? Lass, there isn’t anything I desire more in this world than a life with you filled with love, laughter, and children.”
She yawned and closed her eyes, and he watched her drift off to sleep against his chest. Surely there was not a more precious sight than her sprawled over his body, and no sweeter knowledge than the fact that she was truly his. For as long as they drew breath.
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