Ruaridh lay on his back staring at the sky. “That was treachery.”
“That was strategy,” Colin replied, offering him a hand.
Ruaridh slapped it away and hauled himself up.
“I demand a rematch.”
“Ye demand many things.”
Domhnall shook his head. “Seven years since we fought side by side, and ye still lose the same way.”
Ruaridh wiped dust from his plaid. “I was distracted by the smug look on Colin’s face.”
Colin’s expression did not change. “Excuse me very much, but that is me natural expression.”
Niall leaned back further on the bench. “I believethatis what makes people nervous around ye.”
“They should be.”
Domhnall studied the three men quietly. They were very different creatures. Ruaridh was as wild and brutal as the western seas. Colin was cold and calculating. Niall was polished and charming but hid sharper teeth than most men ever noticed.
Yet the bond between them ran deeper than clan borders, forged over years of blood, war, and survival. People called them powerful, feared them and resented them. But here, in the quiet corner of the courtyard, they were simply four men who had nearly died together many times.
Niall nudged Domhnall lightly with his elbow. “Ye are unusually cheerful this morning.”
“I am,” Domhnall shrugged.
“Remarkable.”
Ruaridh dropped heavily onto the bench beside them.
“That is because he is married now.”
Domhnall rolled his eyes.
“Careful,” he said dryly. “Or I will remind ye that the Crown nearly forced the same upon ye.”
Ruaridh grinned without the slightest remorse. “Aye, but I escaped with me freedom intact.”
“Fer now,” Niall said lazily. “Give it time.”
Colin wiped dust from his hands and came to stand before them, the wooden practice blade resting loosely against his shoulder.
“All marriages begin with optimism,” he said. “Most of them end with negotiation.”
Ruaridh leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “So tell us, Dom,” he said. “Did ye terrify the poor woman last night or did she terrify ye?”
Domhnall gave him a long look. “Nay one did anything of the sort.”
Ruaridh frowned. “Well,thatsounds disappointing.”
“It was… civil.”
Niall lifted a brow. “Civil?”
Domhnall exhaled slowly. The three of them were watching him with the familiar patience of men who had shared too many battles to be easily misled. He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I offered her a white marriage.”
