“I haven’t said aught yet because there hasn’t been much to say. The MacLeods are trying to cause trouble, but that’s naught new. They’re growing bolder, sailing closer to our shores and fishing where we do. There have been some terse encounters between our fishermen and theirs. They’ve reived further into our territory than they have in at least a decade, just because they can. They don’t need our cattle. I’m frustrated that I have to deal with that when I’m home. There isn’t enough time before—”
“Before you have to come back here,” Abigail interrupted.
“No. That is not what I was going to say,” Ronan snapped defensively, frustrated on her behalf, even if she was the one frustrating him. “This isn’t aboot you or the time I spend with you. There isn’t enough time before my men raid them to move all the outlying villagers further into our territory. We need the cattle back before there’s a snow too heavy to herd them. The MacLeods are likely to retaliate, even though they began this. They won’t come all the way to Dun Ringill. They’ll take it out on our villagers.”
“Has this been going on long? Is it because you married me?”
“It was happening before I went to Stirling. It’s part of why the Bruce wanted me to marry. It’s grown worse while I’ve been away, but I don’t think they ken yet of our marriage.”
“Have they hurt anyone?”
“Aye. Not killed anyone, but more than one farmer’s been injured trying to defend his flock and herds.”
“So they’ve taken cows and sheep?” Abigail asked.
“Aye. They take whatever they find.”
“And the king did naught?”
Ronan rolled his eyes. “As long as our infighting doesn’t get in the way of him sitting on his throne, he cares little aboot what happens on the islands. I have a leg to stand on though, because all our animals are branded. Even if the MacLeods shear all our sheep, they can’t remove the brand. It’s obvious they aren’t theirs.”
“Do you think raiding them will be enough? Won’t you lose men?”
“I likely will if it comes to a fight, which seems likely. But my men are well trained, and I don’t expect heavy losses. I would avoid any death, but the MacLeods have made that impossible to avoid. I just hope we kill—” Ronan snapped his mouth shut.
“That we kill more of them than they do us.” Abigail reached out her hand and took Ronan’s. “I’m not naïve. I ken how this works. And I ken it makes you uncomfortable because I shared the same clan name as them. But I feel no connection to the Skye MacLeods. It would be different if this were between you and Kieran, but it’s not. I don’t wish death upon anyone, and I certainly wish you could spare your men, but Cormag knows what he’s doing. He knows he’s sentencing his own men to death.”
“Thank you for understanding, Abby.”
“That’s why you didn’t want to tell me. You feared I would be upset with you.”
Ronan nodded. “I know you know this isn’t a new development between my clan and theirs, but it’s the first time you’re faced with me fighting your clansmen.”
“They aren’t mine. I was a MacLeod of Lewis, and now I’m a MacKinnon of Skye. At no time was I ever one of them. They’re distant relatives several generations removed. We’ve been rivals just as often as we’ve been allies. Currently, we’re not much of aught to one another. Kieran may not want that rivalry to flare again, but neither does he consider Cormag an ally or a friend. He trusts the mon as little as you do.”
Abigail crawled over to lean against Ronan, just as she usually did when they lay on the bed to talk. She felt the heavy weight of his arm around her like a shield. The steady thud of his heart made her eyes drift closed.
“Are you going to fall asleep again?” Ronan murmured.
“I could, but no. Just enjoying it. Ronan, I don’t know that I can offer any help, but I would if you asked or if there was something I could do.”
“I ken. I’m sorry I left you to fear the worst. I told you I would never lie to you to hurt you. I would only do it to protect you. I may not have lied, but I was purposely selective in the truth I told you. I was trying to protect you.”
“I ken. That’s why I was frustrated, but not angry.” Abigail sat up and looked at Ronan. “Though I confess one thought frightened me.”
“There’s no one else, Abby.”
“I know. But when you wouldn’t be straightforward, it was one of the things I imagined. The thought lasted but a moment, but it shook me. I admit that. But I ken, Ronan, that if ever you fall out of love with me, you will still be faithful. If not for me, then for your honor. I don’t fear you straying.”
“I never will. And I pray we will love each other until the end.”
“Me too.” Abigail settled back against Ronan. “Shouldn’t you lead the raids? If you’re worried aboot raiding before the worst of the snow arrives, doesn’t that need to happen now?”
“To reive cattle, no. I stopped going when I became laird. My people can’t afford to lose their laird because I went chasing cows. I’ll lead my men into battle when the time comes, and I hate admitting that it will. But as much as I want our animals back, it isn’t the right risk to take.”
“That must be frustrating,” Abigail mused.
“It is. Incredibly. But I can’t be shortsighted.”
