“Nay wonder the MacKinnon soldiers have been seen on their way here this morning by the scouts!” Domhnall just continued to shout. “Ye’ve stolen his daughter?”
“I’m nae something that can be stolen, Domhnall,” Ava said with danger on her tone, though he took no notice.
“Kai, have ye taken leave of yer senses?”
Kai grabbed his brother’s shoulder and marched him out of the room. They ended up bundled in the corridor as Domhnall, red in the face shouted at him. Kai had to match his volume to be heard.
“She’s betrothed tae Laird Grant.”
“Ye try tae calm me down by telling me just how much worse this is than I initially thought?”
“She cannae marry him,” Kai said under his breath. “She just cannae.”
“Oh, and ye declaring that will make it the case, willnae it?” Domhnall said with thick sarcasm.
Ava suddenly appeared in the doorway, throwing clothes on herself.
“Would it matter if I told ye I was in love with yer braither?” she asked, as Kai stepped forward to help her with the laces.
“Nae in the slightest.” Domhnall shook his head. “I would tell ye both that I would dae anything tae help ye. Of course, I want ye two tae be happy… but dae ye nae see now what ye have done?” He looked between them, as if he was speaking to two children. “This is too tangled now. Dae ye even have a plan?”
Kai looked at Ava.
Marry me instead.
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he feared her answer.
“Me laird, me laird!” a shout went up from further down the corridor.
“What is it?” Domhnall barked angrily, turning around.
“It’s Laird MacKinnon and his soldiers.” A guard skidded to a stop at the end of the corridor. “He’s here. He’s just ridden intae the courtyard. He is furious.”
“Faither, faither, please–” Ava ran out of the keep and into the courtyard. She was now fully dressed at least, but her hair was still wild about her.
Her father stood in full battle armor, with his soldiers on either side of him. The sight of him made her break off, coming to a standstill before him.
“Ye were so stunned by me absence ye came ready fer battle tae face yer friends?” Ava waved her hand in amazement.
“It may have taken some time fer Lyla tae confess where ye had gone when yer maid revealed yer bedchamber was empty before dawn when she went to light the fire, but I am nay fool, Ava.”Finley looked over her shoulder. Ava didn’t need to turn to know it was Domhnall and Kai that had appeared on the steps outside of the keep too. “There was only one reason ye would have come running all the way tae this castle in the middle of the night, unescorted. One person ye would have come fer.”
He glowered, his glare on Kai.
“Me laird, please.” Kai stepped forward, but Domhnall took his shoulder, holding him back, just as Finley raised a hand and ordered silence.
“Did ye ken?” Finley addressed Domhnall with this question.
“Nae until this morning,” Domhnall spoke with sincerity. Their friendship was a long-standing one, and Finley nodded, believing him at once.
“Ava, ye are coming home. Now.”
“Me laird!” Kai shrugged off Domhnall’s grip and hurried down to her father. Ava raced to stay at his side. “Can we nae talk about this? Yer daughter and I –”
“I dinnae want tae hear it!” Finley barked so loudly that all in the courtyard suddenly fell silent. “Ye think I wish tae ken what me daughter and ye have done a night alone together?”
Ava felt her cheeks heat as she had never felt them heat before. Was it the shame of everyone watching, a knowing look in their eyes? Or the fury in her father’s face?
“Whatever has passed, it is done. Yer connection, yerfriendship…it is over.”
