Donnan was quiet, considering. "And then?"
"Then I arrive with armed men, claimin' I've heard disturbin' reports about me daughter's treatment. I demand tae see her, tae speak with her privately. And in that moment, Ada will have a choice—tell the truth and watch Magnus die or lie and condemn him tae the king's justice."
"Ye think she'll choose Magnus?"
"I think she's a fool who believes in love." Conall's voice dripped with contempt. "But even fools understand consequences. When I explain that refusin' tae cooperate means watchin' Magnus tortured before her eyes, means seein' his keep burned and his people slaughtered... she'll dae what I ask. Just as she always has."
Donnan nodded slowly. "When dae we start?"
"Give it a few more days. Let Magnus relax his guard slightly, let him think the danger has passed." Conall moved to pour himself a cup of wine from a skin near the fire. "In the meantime, I want ye tae get word tae our other men inside the keep. Tell them to spread rumors. Whispers about Magnus's temper, about how he was seen shouting at Ada, about how she looked frightened durin' a recent dinner."
"What about the other jarls? Erik and the rest? They're part of the Pact too. They might support Magnus."
"Let them. I'll argue that Magnus has endangered the entire agreement through his actions. That if one marriage fails, it threatens them all." Conall's smile was thin. "And between us, I think those Norse lairds will be more concerned with protectin' their own interests than defendin' a man already branded a wife-killer."
Donnan absorbed this, his expression thoughtful. "Ye've been plannin' this fer a long time."
"Since the moment the king announced the Pact." Conall set down his cup. "He thinks he's bein' clever, bindin' the Isles through marriage. But he's handed us the perfect weapon—his own decree. When Magnus violates it, when he fails tae honor his bride properly, the king will have nay choice but tae act. And I'll be there, loyal as ever, ready tae serve however he asks."
"Even if it means killin' Magnus?"
"Especially if it means killin' Magnus." Conall's voice was cold. "The man is an obstacle tae progress. Tae proper Highland control of the Isles. With him gone and me in his place, Barra becomes part of the Crown's domain in truth rather than just in name."
"And Ada?"
"Ada will dae as she's told. As she should have done from the beginning." Conall's expression hardened. "She embarrassed me, forced me tae hunt her down like a criminal. This time there'll be nay freedom, nay choices. Just obedience."
Donnan's hands clenched at his sides. "And when she's mine?"
"Then she's yer problem, nae mine. Break her if ye have tae, just keep her useful." Conall waved a dismissive hand. "A wife's only value is in the heirs she provides and the alliances she maintains. Everythin' else is sentiment."
"Ye never loved her, dide ye, me laird? Nae even a little."
"Love is a luxury fer men who cannae afford ambition." Conall's gaze was flat, emotionless. "I gave Ada life. That's more than enough. The rest she owes me fer that gift."
They fell silent, the fire crackling between them. Around the camp, other men moved about their tasks—sharpening weapons, tending horses, speaking in low voices about the battle to come.
Finally, Donnan spoke again. "What if it daesnae work? What if Ada refuses tae cooperate and Magnus sees through the trap?"
"Then we resort tae simpler methods." Conall's voice was matter-of-fact. "We attack directly, kill Magnus in battle, and I claim Ada was already dead, killed by her husband in a fit of rage before we could save her. Either way, Magnus dies and I takecontrol of Barra. The only question is whether Ada survives the process."
"Ye'd really kill yer own daughter?"
"If necessary." Conall met his gaze steadily. "I told ye before, Donnan. Daughters are tools. Useful when they serve their purpose, disposable when they dinnae. Ada has been more trouble than she's worth since the day she was born. If she finally proves useful in her death, then at least she'll have contributedsomethin'tae this family."
Donnan looked away, something like discomfort crossing his face. But he didn't argue. Didn't object.
"Get some rest," Conall said, moving toward his tent. "We have work tae dae in the comin' days. And I need ye sharp when the time comes."
"Aye, me laird."
Then Conall disappeared inside, leaving Donnan alone by the fire.
CHAPTER 27
"Bring him in."
Magnus didn't look up from the map spread across his desk, his finger tracing the network of wells that supplied Barra's villages. It was three days since the attack on Ada. Three days of doubling patrols, questioning servants, and finding nothing.
