Aiden flinched. “Daenae speak of him. He killed our faither to become Laird. What kind of man is that?”
Theodore growled, taking a step forward and stabbing a finger in Aiden’s direction. “That’s what a true laird is. A man nae afraid totakewhat he wants. A man who’ll do anything for it. Oh, aye, that was a fine man, indeed. And ye? Ye arenae a patch on him.”
Aiden tightened his grip on his sword. It was longer than Theodore’s, a greatsword against a short sword. That could be a disadvantage. A greatsword was less nimble than a shorter blade, and certainly less useful in close combat.
“I would consider it an insult if ye did say that I was like me braither,” he responded curtly. “Theodore, ye are banished from these lands and from the Highlands. Ye have served this clan well before, and for that reason, I willnae kill ye for betraying me. But ye must walk out of those gates right now, without anything beyond the clothes on yer back and the things in yer pocket, and ye must never, ever return. The day ye return is the day I’ll hang ye from these walls.”
Theodore barked a mirthless laugh. “Oh, look at ye now, being the big Laird! Power like this cannae be laid down and picked up like a toy. This is what happens, Aiden, when ye arenae fit to be Laird. Men plot against ye. Ye think I’ll be the last?”
“Ye are certainly the last I’ll be ill prepared for.”
He chuckled again, tossing back his long red hair. In the stark sunset light, his hair looked like it was on fire, floating around his head like a glowing halo.
“Ye arenae prepared for anything, Aiden. I should kill ye now, to prove to the clan that we willnae tolerate inaction. Maybe they willnae choose to make me Laird after all, but I willnae care about that, so long asyearenae Laird. Ye werenae fit to lick yer braither’s boots.”
“Ye are treading on thin ice, man. I gave ye an out. Take it.”
Theodore didn’t seem to have even heard. He shook his head airily, and a hard look came into his eyes. “I’ll kill ye and yer wench both. Gut ye and leave ye for the birds. That’ll send a message, daenae ye think?”
Aiden lowered his chin. “Ye just watched me kill a handful of men over an insult to thatwench, Theodore. These arenae wise words.”
Did Theodore even hear him? Perhaps not. The man had a glazed, mad look on his face.
He hadnae intended to be discovered just yet. When the mob’s plan failed, he clearly wanted to shrink back and switch tactics. Maybe drive a dagger in me back when I was fighting and end it there.
“Aye,” Theodore murmured thoughtfully, almost to himself. “Inaction means death. Nowthoseare wise words.”
Quick as a whip, he whirled around, seizing Hannah. The lass had let him get too close to her with his pacing and shifting, and now he was within arm’s length.
Aiden gave a wordless cry and sprang forward, sword raised. He stopped dead in his tracks when Theodore dragged Hannah against his chest. One arm pinned hers to her side, and the other hand held his blade against the bare, exposed skin of her throat.
Her eyes were wide with fear, head tilted back to avoid the undoubtedly sharp edge of the blade.
One move, and he’ll cut her throat. A mere inch, a wee bit of pressure, and her lifeblood spills out over the cobbles. This is nay severed hand. Nay healer can fix this.
Aiden’s arm dropped like a stone to his side.
Theodore grinned. “Smart man. Drop yer sword and kick it aside.”
Wordlessly, Aiden obeyed. The sword clattered to the ground.
The courtyard was deathly silent. Nobody even seemed to be breathing. So, when the creak of a bowstring came, it sounded shockingly loud.
Theodore smiled sweetly. “Tell them to stand down. The first arrow that hits me will kill her too, I promise ye that.”
Aiden lifted his eyes to the archer, poised in an upper window. He had his bow drawn and an arrow pointed straight at Theodore. Aiden caught his eye and shook his head, and the man reluctantly lowered his bow.
“Sensible,” Theodore said briskly, shifting.
The movement must have put a tiny amount of pressure on the blade, because Hannah winced, and an instant later, a red droplet of blood trickled down her fair skin.
Aiden ground his teeth.
“Now, let’s talk like men, eh?” Theodore drawled, offering a bright smile.
20
If I swallow too hard, I’ll cut me own throat.
