“Ye meanourfuture.”
Erik let Isabel go as her husband’s angry voice filled the room. She had been so preoccupied that she had not heard the door open, but Erik had.
“Wot is this?” she asked hotly, putting some distance between her and Erik. “Robert.”
The laird’s expression was thunderous. “The plan was not tae kill one of our warriors, Isabel. I genuinely believed that he did it up until now, ye traitorous woman.”
Her face grew pale as she approached her husband. “Dinnae listen tae these lies, Robert.”
“Lies that came out of yer own mouth?” he asked as Edna slipped into the chamber. The laird turned to Edna and bowed. “I am vera sorry of wot mah wife has caused yer clan. I thought that McGregor would turn ye against mah alliance, but I never meant for anyone tae be hurt.” He then turned to his wife. “And ye used yer bruises tae say I am a brute?”
Tears glimmered in Isabel’s eyes, but Erik refused to feel sorry for her. “I was just trying tae gain his favor.”
“Wot was the plan, McIves?” Edna cut in, ignoring the woman before her.
The laird blew out a breath. “I was tae best McGregor at something so that ye could see that I was the stronger ally.” He cut his eyes at Isabel. “Mah wife here was tae keep him occupied until I could win yer favor.”
“Robert,” she pleaded, but he turned his back on her, and Erik heard her whimper. “I would like tae handle this within mah own clan.”
Edna glanced at Leeth, who had joined her before nodding. “Then ye can have her.”
“And our alliance?” he asked softly, a hint of desperation in the laird’s voice. “’Tis destroyed?”
Erik watched as Edna clenched her jaw. “Nay, McIves. I will be inclined tae hear yer plight once ye have satisfied the request of punishment for yer wife. Only then will I invite ye back.”
“And if ye decide tae attack us,” Leeth added, glaring at the laird, “we will call upon our other allies tae destroy ye.”
The laird’s mouth twitched, but he inclined his head. “Understood. Mah wife will find her place in mah dungeon to wait out her punishment.”
“Robert, nay!” she begged, grasping at his arm. “I love ye!”
He shook her off, nodding to the warriors that had gathered. “Take her and lock her away for now. I cannae stand the sight of her.”
Isabel’s screams followed as she was dragged out of the room, and McIves took his own leave shortly after, letting everyone have a collective exhale.
“Well, then,” Edna finally said, her shoulders sagging. “Ye are free tae leave this chamber, Erik, now that yer name has been cleared.”
“Thank ye,” he said softly, searching for Finley but not finding her. “I will start tae prepare for mah return home.”
Edna looked surprised by his words, but she inclined her head regardless, turning to leave. “I never believed that ye did it,” she told him. “And neither did mah niece.”
Erik swallowed as the laird left the room, scrubbing a hand over his face the moment the door was closed. It was over with. He was a free man. And Isabel, well, she wouldn’t hurt another person the rest of her days. He had to go home to tell Kaiden what transpired here and take up his post once more as second-in-command.
But why did those thoughts feel as if they no longer excited him like they used to?
Why did it feel like something was missing?
