Jaxon’s voice hardened.“If I ever hear that ye are anywhere near these lands again, I will imprison ye for life,” he said. “There will be nay more chances.”
Gracie felta strange mix of relief and sorrow tighten her chest.
Edmund’s temperflared at last, masking fear with rage. “Ye think yerself so mighty now,” he shouted. “Ye steal me bride, me inheritance, and now ye cast me out like a dog.”
Jaxon took a step closer,unafraid.
“I dinnae steal anythin’,”Jaxon said. “Ye threw it all away with yer selfishness and recklessness.”
Edmund openedhis mouth to argue, but Jaxon cut him off.
“Ye endangered this clan,”Jaxon continued, his voice rising. “Ye lied to our people, left them to suffer, and then slunk back only when ye had nowhere else to go and need funds.”
Edmund’s shoulderssagged as the truth landed.
Gracie watchedJaxon with awe and a flicker of fear, seeing the full force of the Laird he was.
Edmund’s defiance finally broke,replaced by desperation. “Please,” he said quietly, “ye cannae do this.”
Jaxon turned awayfrom him and strode to the window. He flung it open and shouted into the night, “GUARDS!”
His voice echoedacross the courtyard, sharp and commanding.
Moments later,heavy boots thundered down the corridor, and four guards burst into the library. They halted at once, eyes flicking between the brothers. Jaxon pointed to Edmund without hesitation.
“Seehim to the borders of McMillan land,” Jaxon ordered. “Make certain he does nae return, now or ever.”
The guards nodded grimly,moving to Edmund’s side.
Edmund struggled then,pride making one last stand. “Ye cannae hold me like this,” he protested, wrenching his arm. “I am a McMillan by blood.” Jaxon turned back, eyes cold.
“Nae anymore,”Jaxon said. “From this moment forth, ye are nay kin of mine.” The finality in his voice left no room for argument.
Jaxon gesturedto the leather bag Edmund had been filling. “He is allowed to take only what he can carry in a pack,” he said. “Nothin’ more.”
Edmund’s facetwisted with bitterness.
Jaxon reached downand picked up a silver candle holder from the table. He thrust it into Edmund’s hands.
“There,”he said harshly. “That should fetch ye enough coin to get far away, along with the others ye’ve already taken.”
Edmund stared at the silver,humiliation burning in his eyes. “So this is it,” he muttered. “Cast out with stolen trinkets like a common thief.”
Jaxon did not soften.
“Ye made yerself into one,”Jaxon replied. “Now go.”
The guards tightenedtheir grip and began to steer Edmund toward the door.
Edmund shotone last venomous glance at Gracie. “Enjoy his favor while it lasts,” he sneered. “If he turns on his own blood he will turn on ye in time.”
Jaxon moved instantly,stepping forward with a warning growl.
“Say another word to her,”Jaxon said, “and ye’ll leave this castle without even the shirt on yer back and a broken wing.”
Edmund fell silent.
The guards draggedEdmund from the room, his protests fading down the corridor. The door closed heavily behind them, leaving an echoing quiet. Gracie let out a shaky breath she had been holding.
