Page 134 of Claimed by a Highlander
“I pledge my loyalty to you, the one true chieftain of the MacKenzies,” Hector cried out in a voice loud enough for those in the clearing to hear. “And I beg for mercy.”
“I know ye told Buchanan where he could find Brian,” Rory said, leaning close to look his uncle in the eye. “When my brother ran out of that house, did Buchanan show him mercy?”
“I had nothing to do with that,” Hector said, a lie that only fueled Rory’s anger.
“Did ye show Malcolm mercy? Or the Munros?” Rory said. “After all you’ve done to try to destroy me and our clan, how dare ye ask me for mercy.”
“After I’ve sworn my oath to you in front of my men, they’ll never follow me in rebellion again.” Sweat from the searing heat left sooty streaks down Hector’s face. “And ye need me in the west to fight the MacDonalds.”
“You kidnapped my wife and tried to murder my son!” Rory lifted his sword to cut his uncle’s head off.
But Sybil was suddenly beside him and lunged for his arm. He checked his swing and reluctantly let her draw him a few steps away.
“Ye can’t do this.” Her hair swirled around her face from the wind created by the fire. “I know ye want to kill Hector, and he deserves to die. But not now, not like this.”
“Why not?” Rage pulsed through his veins.
“Because you’re not like Hector,” she said. “Because if ye kill him when he’s surrendered and on his knees, it’s murder.”
Rory wanted to see the blood of his uncle on his blade and watch him die. “Then I’ll give him back his sword and let him fight.”
“If ye force him to fight after he’s submitted to your authority, you’ll lose the hearts of the men you’ve just won to your side,” she said. “And what about the MacDonalds? You’ve told me ye need Hector in the west to defend against their attacks.”
Rory clenched his fists in frustration. “I want vengeance!”
“Sometimes a leader must compromise.” She leaned closer to make sure they weren’t overheard. “And sometimes he must bide his time before he reaps vengeance.”
Rory turned back to Hector, who was still on his knees.
“I will let you live, uncle, for now,” he said. “But if you ever disobey me, or give me cause tosuspectye have, I’ll have your head on a spike and feed your body to the pigs.”
Rory laid out his terms for Hector’s surrender in a loud voice for all the men to hear. They included immediately relinquishing possession of Eilean Donan Castle, returning what he had stolen from the clan, and never setting foot in Eastern Ross.
“I accept your terms,” Hector said.
“You were right about one thing,” Sybil said as she leaned over Hector. “The man who can outwit his opponents is the one who ought to be chieftain.”
CHAPTER 49
“I saw Malcolm helping Kenneth with his sword practice today and thought how lucky we are to have them both,” Sybil said as she washed her husband’s back.
“Aye,” Rory said. “It was a miracle Malcolm survived.”
“When Kenneth returned from visiting the Grants last week, he said his grandfather and Flora are fighting because she refuses to wed any man he suggests,” Sybil said. “Perhaps we should help find a good husband for her.”
Rory leaned back and smiled at her. “I’ll leave it to you,mo rùin.”
“I don’t think we’ve had a quiet afternoon like this since you became chieftain,” Sybil said as she ran the sponge down Rory’s arm.
“It’s been too quiet,” Rory said. “Hector is planning something.”
Rory’s mistrust of his uncle festered like a wound that would not heal. Sybil kneaded Rory’s shoulders, trying to work out the tension in them.
“In the three months since he gave his oath, he’s done everything ye asked of him,” she said. “The MacDonalds have ceased their attacks.”
“Leaving Hector alive is like inviting a poisonous snake to slither into this tub with me.”
“What about me?” Sybil slid her soapy hand down his stomach to divert him. “Would ye let me slither into the tub with ye?”
