This includes her brother, Rufus Gilmore, who has been complicit in her rebellion. The boy will die first, so she may watch. So she may understand the cost of her defiance.
You have until sunset, four days hence. After that, the blood of your people will be on your hands.
And hers.
The paper crumpled in Leona’s fist, her hands shaking. Her vision swam, dark spots dancing at the edges. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think past the roaring in her ears.
Rufus. He’d specifically named Rufus. Her baby brother, who’d done nothing wrong except love her and try to protect her.
Ragnall would kill him. Would make her watch while he did it.
“Leona.” Murdock’s voice seemed to come from very far away. “Lass, breathe.”
She couldn’t. Her lungs had seized up, her throat closed tight. The meadow spun around her, wildflowers and blue sky blurring into meaningless color.
Strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. Murdock’s face swam into focus, his eyes dark with concern and something harder. Something that looked like barely leashed fury.
“Breathe,” he commanded again, and this time her body obeyed.
Air rushed into her lungs in a painful gasp, and she pulled back from him.
“He’ll kill him,” she managed, her voice high and thin. “Rufus. He’ll kill Rufus.”
“He’ll nae touch yer brother.” Murdock’s voice was flat. “He’ll nae touch anyone under me protection.”
“Ye cannae promise that. Ye cannae…” She pulled away from him, starting to pace. Energy flooded her limbs, nervous and frantic. “This is me fault. I brought this here. I put everyone in danger, and now Rufus, me brother, he’s…”
She couldn’t finish. Couldn’t voice the terrible images flooding her mind.
Behind them, she heard Skye’s worried voice asking Rufus what was wrong, heard Rufus trying to soothe the girl even as his own voice shook. They’d been having such a lovely afternoon. Such a perfect, peaceful moment.
And now it was ruined. Everything was ruined.
Just like she ruined everything she touched.
Murdock snatched the letter back from her trembling hand. His jaw clenched as he read it again, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Then, with deliberate violence, he crumpled the parchment into a tight ball.
“That’s it, lassie.” His voice was hard as stone. “In two days, ye’re marrying me. And that’s final.”
Leona’s head snapped up. “What?”
“Ye heard me.” He turned to Hamish, who still stood nearby, holding his horse’s reins. “Gather the councilmen. Tell them there will be a weddin' in two days’ time. Tell them to prepare.”
“Me Laird…” Hamish began, his eyes darting between them.
“Now, Hamish.”
“Aye, me Laird.”
Murdock strode past her, heading back toward the blanket and baskets. “Skye, Rufus, pack everythin'. We’re returning to the castle.”
“But Da?—”
“Now.” His tone brooked no argument.
Skye and Rufus moved to obey, casting worried glances at Leona as they packed up the remnants of their meal.
Leona stood frozen, shock warring with a rising tide of anger. Murdock had just decided. Just declared that she’d marry him in two days without asking, without discussing it, without giving her any say in the matter.
