Page 57 of Dark Embrace

Five knights started forward, detaching themselves from the front lines of the royal army.

Why do you have to be so brave?

He stiffened, having heard Brianna as clear as day, as if she was beside him, speaking naturally. He glanced back at his army of knights and Highlanders and saw her instantly astride her gray mare, in the front ranks. She had expressly defied him; she was supposed to be hidden in his army’s midst.

He could not be arrested that day—not that he expected an arrest so soon. At the least, he had to take Brianna to the sanctuary on Iona, where she would be safe.

He faced his adversaries as they paused, the five knights lining up across the road, barring his way. The standard bearer in their midst was carrying Frasier’s banner, bearing his lion, crossed swords and fleur-delis. Aidan carried his own standard. All visors were lifted, and Aidan was surprised to see that two of the men had black, soulless eyes.

He looked swiftly at Robert Frasier, the man Brianna thought would have him hang.

Frasier smiled coolly in return. He was a big man with dark hair and fair skin, his dark eyes piercing. He spurred his destrier forward. “I have come to ask you to cease from this madness, Aidan of Awe,” he said without preamble. “You have long since forfeited all your titles and lands, and only Castle Awe remains. Further aggression will result in the loss of your last stronghold—if not your liberty, and perhaps, your life.”

Aidan laughed at him. “Pay me ten thousand pounds, an’ perhaps we shall seal a new bargain.”

Frasier was angry. “You will not reach Inverness—not without great suffering. We have cut you off from the MacDonald and Maclean armies. There is no hope of victory for you.”

Aidan moved his black toward Frasier and felt the man’s surprise. He paused only when their horses were shoulder to shoulder and he was knee to knee with the lieutenant. “I like suffering,” he said softly. “An’ my men lust fer English an’ Lowland blood.”

And his stallion bit the other charger, causing it to rear back.

Frasier spurred it ruthlessly forward. He looked into Aidan’s eyes and said, “Do you not wish to see Ian again…my son?”

His voice hadn’t changed, but Aidan froze. Moray had descended anew, taking possession of Frasier this time.

And Frasier’s eyes turned blue, then glowed red. He laughed the mocking laughter of Moray, laughter that would haunt Aidan in his dreams—if he ever slept.

“A Ihain!” Aidan roared, drawing his sword in absolute fury. But even enraged, he knew that killing Frasier would solve nothing.

Frasier drew his sword, thrusting viciously, and Aidan met his sword. Metal screamed across the entire plain, imbued with their unnatural powers. Aidan gasped, putting his entire force against their crossed blades, but he could not push Moray back.

“Aye,” Frasier murmured, laughter in his tone. “Ye should have taken more lives last night, instead of playin’ nursemaid to our sweet Brianna.”

In that moment, Aidan’s heart stopped. Moray had spied upon them again. And once more, he distracted Aidan.

They were ringed by the royal knights. Aidan somehow withdrew, wheeling his black backward, and Frasier came at him, striking ruthlessly as if intending a deathblow. Aidan threw all his power at the demon and at the descending sword. The blow should have cut into his shoulder; instead, the great sword hung in the air, quivering just inches from him.

Frasier grunted and began pushing the sword down.

Aidan felt hot metal touch his shoulder. “A Ihain,” he roared. He blasted the sword, which flew from Frasier’s hand, whirling far across the road.

Aidan thrust his own sword now, but Frasier struck at it with his black energy. Effortlessly, the sword was torn from his hand and hurled far away onto the plain.

The black screamed, rearing in fury, striking at Frasier’s charger. The other destrier rose up, striking back, front hooves flailing. Aidan leapt from his horse. “Come down an’ fight, Father,” he hissed. “If ye have any courage at all!” The body no longer mattered to him; he would fight Moray to the very death in whomever his father chose to use.

Frasier grinned and landed lightly before him. Before Aidan could react, the energy sent him flying backward in a tumbling ball, until he landed hard, not far from the front ranks of his army.

Brianna screamed.

He was on his feet, sending his power up the road at his demonic father. Even as he saw Frasier try to block it, he whirled. Brianna had broken free of his men, and her mare was trotting toward him! “Get her gone from here!” he shouted at Will, who was chasing her.

Frasier’s next blow sent Aidan backward through rows and rows of his men, who parted like the Red Sea. He landed on his back, and the sky above spun, stars erupting in the blue skies. Vultures circled there, hungry and waiting for death.

“Aidan!” Brianna screamed.

He got to his feet and saw Frasier coming, his strides long and hard, his eyes glowing with diabolical intent. He was briefly confused. “Do ye think to kill me at last?” he asked, breathing hard.

“Now, why would I do that?” his father asked. “When you have defied me for decades, at every turn, when I had such high hopes for you?”