He felt her emotions as she spoke. As well as the overarching thrill, the love pouring out of her, there was fear.
She doesnae think there is a way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“What the hell are ye doing here?” Laird Finley demanded, marching toward the pair of them.
Kai stood with Ava in the courtyard. They had just returned to the castle, though he had been careful to keep a good distance between them, not wishing to rouse any suspicion. Laird Finley marched out of the castle toward them, waving his fingers madly.
“Ye rode here tae see me daughter after this morning?”
“Aye, I did.” Kai inclined his head in a small bow.
“What dae ye nae understand about me orders tae stay away from her?” He fumed.
“Faither, please,” Ava’s voice took on a new note. “As a man from another clan, he doesnae have tae follow yer orders.”
Laird Finley reddened, clearly upset at the reminder of his lacking power over him. Kai shifted between his feet. He had intended to ask Laird Finley to give Ava’s hand in marriage tohim,instead of Laird Grant, but with the castle courtyard so busy, it was not the place or time to do it.
“Enough of this.” Laird Finley shook his head. “Luckily Laird Grant kens naething of what passed last night. We’re holding a celebratory feast fer the betrothal tonight. The most I can dae is invite ye as a family friend tae be our guest.”
“What?” Kai said, flummoxed by the sudden statement.
“Aye, family and friends are gathering. A message has been sent tae yer braither as well. The feast shall be a grand one.” Laird Finley clapped his hands together. Though he was smiling, there was clearly no real happiness in his expression. “Ye can raise a toast tae the happy couple. Perhaps then ye will realize just how much me daughter is out of yer reach.”
“Faither, please –”
“Nay more of this.” Laird Finley took her wrist and Ava was dragged away.
Kai was about to follow when Laird Finley flicked his fingers in the direction of a guard who followed them. No words were needed. It was enough to see the guard to know the implicit threat.
Their clans may be allies but if Kai pushed things too far, Laird Finley was not afraid to have Kai held captive tae make his meaning plain.
Ava is beyond me reach.
Kai stood at the side of the hall, alone and pressed into the shadows.
There was an air of jollity in the room that he felt disconnected from. The evergreens and mistletoe that had been brought into the hall to celebrate both Yuletide and the betrothal feast filled the air with their natural scents. People grabbed these boughs and thrust them around as they danced around thehappycouple.
To Kai’s mind, Laird Grant certainly looked happy, although not because her cared for her, given what he had overheard. He had dragged Ava into what had to be their third dance of the night. He spun her around constantly, always touching her, even though she couldn’t summon a single smile.
The way his hands possessively took Ava’s hips made Kai feel sick. And the fact that Ava moved his hand away at one point didn’t stop him from doing it again.
He would force her. He daesnae respect her as I dae.
Kai put down the tankard of mead that he had been struggling to drink and marched out from the shadows. He moved toward the edge of the room and an open doorway, intent on escaping.
“It’s a shame yer family couldnae make it. Ye are leaving already?” Laird Finley’s voice cut him off.
Kai halted, turning to see Laird Finley a short distance away. Oddly, despite the merriment all around and the drinking, Laird Finley’s smile looked strained, and he had no drink in his own hand.
“Aye. I dinnae enjoy torture, me laird.” Kai’s response clearly shocked him. The false smile slipped from its place. Kai bowed and retreated, casting just one last look back over his shoulder.
He willnae keep her safe, as I would.
Ava knew where to find Kai. She turned her back on the betrothal feast, slipping away and heading for the door. She cast one nervous glance in Laird Grant’s direction, but her was too busy celebrating with his men to look where she had gone.
Stepping out into the corridor, Ava raced away on tiptoes, hurrying to Kai’s in the library, though he was not interested in reading the book that rested in his lap. He appeared to be just staring into the fire deep in thought when she entered, and his chin jerked up.
