Page 75 of My Highland Bride

“She is a fool,” he says in response. Assuming he means the queen, I press a bit harder until a drop of blood appears. “They attempt an attack with over two hundred men, and she does nothing?” He heaves a bitter laugh. “Her father may have been mad, but he at least knew how to lead men.”

From the way he emphasizes the last word, his meaning is clear. He is the sort who would never follow a woman.

McGreghere makes a sound of contempt. “You are no man. A man doesn’t kill women and children.”

MacKinnish looks only at me.

“You will die for your insolence,” I say. “Your ignorance shall go to the grave with you. One last chance, MacKinnish.”

Blood continues to drip down his chin, but still he doesn’t speak. So I bait him with our knowledge of the plot.

“Your ill-fated meeting at Ledenhill gave us everything we need to know.”

The glint in his eyes says my barb has hit its mark. I press him by adding, “We know Rawlins is involved, and Whitley too.”

He is surprised, but I have another surprise for him as well.

“You call the queen a fool. But did you think the Prima’s help wouldn’t come at a price? Once a power-hungry man like Hinton is king of Meria, do you truly think he will respect the borders?” I wave to the river behind us. “You kill innocents to start a war without thinking ahead to Silvester’s final plans. What do you think he wants?”

It is clear MacKinnish never once considered it.

“He wants all of it. The Isle, under his control. First he took Avalon from King Galfrid.”

“The king gave it to him,” MacKinnish counters, defensive.

“An act even King Malcom knew was foolish. Trusting Silvester has been one of Galfrid’s biggest mistakes. But he knows that now. He’s shunned him these past years, much as Queen Cettina has done, and so the Prima is retaliating by backing Hinton. A cruel, weak man, as well you know. He will easily control him as he thinks to control the queen by recruiting fools like you to do his bidding. To start a war so that he may take advantage.”

A look of horror dawns in his eyes, and I know he finally understands what he has done.

“You have been played, MacKinnish. And where are the Shadow Warriors who were to help you slaughter innocent Merians this day? Not dumb enough to have been caught, like you.”

Though he says nothing, his eyes reveal the truth. That I guessed correctly and the Prima’s men are out there somewhere, with or without Father Aiken.

MacKinnish will reveal nothing else. It seems Lord Whitley has slipped through our net, and Cettina will not be pleased.

“Take him,” I say to Gille, turning back toward the others.

It is then MacKinnish stops me. “He is already there, in the village. Look in the blacksmith’s shop.”

Not at all where I’d have looked for him. I turn. “If your words are true, your family will be spared the indignity of losing their home.”

I look to McGreghere. “Fancy a visit to Firley Dinch’s forge?”

32

Reyne

The bed sags under me, and this time, I am immediately awakened. Spinning toward him, I throw my arms around my husband. My heart thuds so loudly, surely he must hear it.

“I’ve been so worried,” I confess against his shoulder.

Moving the hair at my neck, he kisses my flesh, murmuring something. The vestiges of sleep are still with me, but as we embrace, I am beginning to become more aware. He smells of fresh water. Indeed, his hair is still damp.

Erik is wearing absolutely nothing, a fact I realize as he tightens his arms around me and pulls me closer. When the others arrived just before supper, Erik not among them, I nearly dropped to my knees in despair. Searching every face, I struggled to breathe as Cettina approached me.

“He is unhurt,” she said, reaching for my shoulder as if to steady me. “Erik will be back soon.”

“Did you find him?” I ask now, pulling back slightly.