Jaxon’s voice rose,controlled but sharp. “Aye, everyone survived because I acted in spite of ye, nae because of ye. Ye risk our villages, our stores, our people, and yet ye stand there pretendin’ none of it matters. Ye shall answer for yer misdeeds. Connor, put Edmund in his chambers with a guard outside. He is nae to be allowed out of sight of the guard until I decide on his punishment.”
Edmund tried a sly grin.“Ye’ll nae lock me away for words alone. I am yer brother, Laird, and ye cannot hold me prisoner. What purpose serves this fury?”
Connor stepped forward,voice steady, eyes hard. “Edmund, ye will come with me now to yer chambers. Ye are nae to leave until the Laird decides otherwise.”
Edmund spun to face Jaxon,desperation and anger mingling in his expression. “Ye cannae do this! I am family! Ye would shame yerself holdin’ kin captive like some low-born criminal?!”
Jaxon ignored the protests,his jaw set. “Family?” he asked, voice cold. “Family does nae abandon duties, family does nae gamble with lives, and family does nae leave villages in ruinwhile makin’ merry elsewhere. Ye have failed in every measure. Yer pleas mean nothin’ to me.”
Gracie stepped forward,her voice firm, though she kept a cautious distance.
“Edmund,”she said, “yer words hold nay charm here. The time for honeyed promises is past. Ye have left trails of harm, and Jaxon will see to it that ye answer.”
Edmund turned on her,his sneer widening, “And what would ye have me do, woman? Speak? Beg forgiveness? Ye ken naught of the burden of being me, nor the freedom of me choices.”
Gracie’s eyes flared,but Jaxon laid a hand lightly on her shoulder, grounding her.
“Connor,”Jaxon said, voice cutting through Edmund’s bluster, “lead him to his quarters. He shall stay there under watch until I determine the proper course.”
Edmund struggled,lashing out at Connor and the guards. “Ye daft fools! I am yer blood! I will nae be caged like some animal!”
Connor’s gripwas firm and unwavering. “Yer blood or nae, ye follow me or ye feel the weight of the clan’s authority.”
Jaxon stepped forward,voice calm but icy. “Enough, Edmund. Yer excuses mean nothin’. Yer actions have consequences, and Iwill see them through. Yer freedom is nae a right, it is a privilege ye have forfeited through foolishness.”
Edmund shotdaggers at Jaxon’s back as he was escorted, voice raised, “Ye are cruel, Jaxon! Ye’ll rue this day! I am still the son of our faither, and ye have nay right!”
Jaxon’s gazedid not falter. “Rights earned through recklessness hold nay value here. Learn that, or ye will see nay mercy.”
Gracie watched,a mix of relief and lingering apprehension twisting in her chest. She could see the truth of Jaxon’s judgment, the man she loved was fair, resolute, and utterly unyielding when it came to the safety of the clan. Edmund’s protests faded down the corridor, leaving only the echo of his resentment.
24
Gracie watched as Jaxon strode out of the hall, his face still tight with anger, and Edmund was dragged away by Connor and two of the guards. She felt a tug in her chest, a strong desire to follow him and ease his temper, to remind him she was at his side. Before she could take a step, however, she was interrupted by the soft, hesitant voices of the twins. Gracie thought perhaps all the shouting and commotion had woken them.
“Gracie…why is Faither mad at Uncle Edmund?” Rose asked, peering up at her with wide, fearful eyes.
Gracie knelt to meet them,brushing a loose curl from Eden’s forehead. “Lassies, what are ye doin' out of bed?” she said gently, “Yer faither is angry at Edmund because he has caused trouble that could have hurt many folk, and yer faither must protect the clan.”
The twins exchanged nervous glances,their small hands gripping her skirts.
“Will…will he be angry with us too?” Eden asked, her voice trembling.
Gracie shook her head firmly,trying to soothe the worry etched on their faces. “Never,” she said softly, squeezing their hands. “Ye did nothin’ wrong. Ye are his little girls, and he loves ye more than anythin’ in this world.”
Rose’s brow furrowed,and she clutched her doll tightly. “But why did Uncle Edmund leave the castle?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gracie took a steadying breath,knowing she had to choose her words carefully. “Sometimes folk make foolish choices, runnin’ from their responsibilities, thinkin’ only of themselves,” she explained. “But that does nae mean we should blame ourselves or be afraid. We must trust that yer faither kens best.”
Edna looked up at her,big, teary eyes. “Will he… punish Uncle Edmund?” she asked cautiously.
Gracie shook her head.“I daenae ken. But yer faither knows how to be fair, and he will nae harm the innocent, not ye, nae Eden, nor any of the villagers.”
Rose leaned into her,still frowning. “I daenae want him to be angry at us,” she murmured.
Gracie wrappedher arms around both girls, pulling them close. “Ye need nae worry, wee ones.”
Eden relaxed slightly,letting go of her doll, and Gracie felt a rush of warmth in her chest.
