Cailean felt Maeve's eyes on him, but he could not tear his eyes away to look at her now. He slowly lowered his sword, and he knew the others were doing the same.
"Coward," he snarled as Ansel smiled. "Tales of yer fierceness echo across Scotland, but ye're a coward. Hidin' behind an innocent woman."
The provoking words did not gain the reaction that Cailean had hoped. Instead, Ansel simply snorted.
"Is it a duel ye want?" Ansel asked, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I am willin' tae engage ye if that's what ye wish, McNair. Ye and I, here and now. Winner takes it all, loser's blood pays the penalty."
Before Cailean could even think, both Maeve and Neala snapped, "Nay!"
Ansel smiled. "Now isnaethatinterestin'?" he asked. He glanced down at Neala. "I understandher.She has seen me duel. She kens ye would lose in an instant. But yer own woman? Does she doubt ye so much?"
"It's nae about doubt, Ashkirk," Maeve replied in an acidic tone. "There's nae need for Cailean tae duel the likes of ye. We've already infiltrated the castle. Our army is already overwhelmin' yers. Yer carefully laid plan has already failed, and ye ken it. Yerproposed duel is nothin' but a drownin' man's final attempt tae swim."
The mask slipped for a moment as a look of deep irritation flashed across Ansel's face. He scowled, but a moment later it was gone, and his expression was neutral once more when he turned to Maeve.
"I ken ye," he told her. "Yer father always used tae bring ye and yer sisters tae the castle when we were bairns, hopin' tae tempt me own father intae choosin' one of ye as a bride for me. Do ye remember?"
Cailean finally turned to look at Maeve. Her lip curled, and she balled her hands into fists.
"I remember," she forced out. "Even as a bairn, the thought of ye disgusted me. I'd have rather died than be yer wife."
"What ye'd rather played nae part in it," Ansel responded almost casually. "Yer fool of a father stood nae chance, regardless. I heard he sold ye and the oldest one both off tae Darach of all people. Bloody fool."
"Aye?" Maeve replied. "And ye saw what happened tae Malcolm and Kyle Darach both."
"I did," Ansel agreed pleasantly. "Nae real loss. The pair of them, along with yer father, were the biggest idiots amongst me father's followers. And of course, I took care of O'Sullivan meself recently. His blood made quite the mess of me father's throne room."
The color drained from Maeve's face and shock flew across her features, but to Cailean's immense pride, she did not falter.
"If me good-for-nothin' father died by yer blade, Ashkirk, then that is the very last on the list of grievances I have against ye," Maeve hissed. "Let Neala go, and I'll show ye."
Cailean looked back to Ansel, who was smiling too widely now.
"I dinnae think I will," Ansel replied. "But how's this, wee exile who would be king? I'll offer ye a bargain."
"I'm nae interested in yer tricks," Cailean snapped.
"Nae tricks," Ansel replied smoothly. "Simply this. The O'Sullivan lass is correct—this castle is lost tae me. Perhaps it was always gonnae be this way. So what ye're gonnae do is let me go. Ye'll let me gather the loyal amongst me men and walk out of here, free as a bird, tae return tae me father. Ye'll allow me tae graciously accept me loss and prepare for the next time we meet."
"And in exchange," Cailean said slowly, "Ye'll release me sister?"
Something dangerous flashed in Ansel's eyes. "In exchange," he corrected icily, "I willnae slit her throat right here and allow the wee spy tae bleed out all over the floor. Ab–Neala will be comin' with me, but she'll live."
Bile flooded Cailean's throat. "I'll tear ye in half before I allow?—"
"Stop!" Neala shouted. Silence fell, and all eyes were drawn to her. "Stop. Cailean, listen tae me. Yemustdo as he says. If he'll call off the attack, if he'll take his men and leave, then ye must allow it. There has already been too much bloodshed. Too many people onbothsides will die today if we let the fightin' continue. Let me go. Claim our home back once and for all."
"Are ye mad?" Cailean demanded. "I cannae let himtakeye. I only just found ye!"
But Neala simply lifted her chin, pride in her stance. Their mother's strength. Their father's courage.
"I've longed tae meet ye, Cailean," she said, her voice soft but firm. "And now I have. But yewillnaequestion me choice. Iwillgo with him. And yewillallow it. I am yer sister, and ye will allow me tae act as I see fit."
Something shattered inside Cailean then as Maeve moved to his side and caught his arm. He felt like he was suddenly swimming in mud, unable to process what was happening before him. Like a dream, Ansel moved, his knife still pointed at Neala, his arm firmly around her as he guided her past them.
"Dinnae attack!" Cailean called hoarsely back to the warriors who waited behind him. "Let him pass! Dinnae hurt her!"
The rebels parted like the waves, and Ansel and his prisoner sailed through the library. Cailean and Maeve followed closely behind them, clinging to one another, Cailean desperately trying to think of a way to fix this disaster unfolding in front of them. He moved through sludge as they made their way through the castle, occasionally yelling at their own men to stay back, until at last they reached the large main doors that led to the front courtyard and the main gates.
