Page 17

“Are ye mad! How can ye bear tae live another day under the rule of these monsters?” Calum exclaimed. Seamus reached over and placed a hand on Calum’s arm in an effort to calm the man.

“I’m sure she haes her reasons,” Seamus said.

“I think it would be better if we give yer men more time tae heal, Seamus. As ye said, we are at a disadvantage already, and I dinnae want tae send men intae battle if they are nae ready. I know we are all eager tae take back our keep, but we cannae be rash. My father always taught me tae be prudent and patient. We must wait for the right opportunity. Hold off yer attack—that is an order.” She added the last part in a clear, authoritative voice just so there was no doubt about her intentions. Seamus and Calum glanced at each other once again, and it filled her with a sense of unease, but she knew she could count on their loyalty.

“Aye,” they said in unison.

“Now, I must return before anyone notices I am missing. Keep well, Seamus.” She nodded at her old friend, but left Calum in silence. She didn’t appreciate this turn he was taking towards insolence and knew that she would have to have words with him about it before it became even more of an issue.

Ainsly walked away quickly back to the keep, relief washing over her. Her heart thudded as she thought about how close she had come to ruin. She had to find some other solution. If this attack went ahead, then there would be no going back. More blood would be spilled, and all the hopes and dreams that she and Ian had spoken about would never come to be.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice a man in her way. He had no torch and was just a figure in the darkness. She bumped into him and staggered back, almost losing her balance entirely. As she lifted the candle to his face, she saw that it was Calan. His eyes were sharp and his expression unforgiving.

“And where hae ye been?” he asked, not even bothering to hide his evident suspicion.

Ainsly collected herself and stared directly back at him. “I needed to pray to the gods.”

“At this time of night?” Calan scoffed.

“Ye can ask Ian if ye wish. In fact, we can gae and wake him right now. I told him where I was gaeing tae be if ye wish tae rouse him from his slumber. But I think ye know as well as I dae how he hates tae be woken before he is ready.”

“I’m familiar,” Calan said curtly. “I hae known him a longer than ye hae. But know this, Ainsly...” He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His breath swirled as he spoke in a harsh whisper. “I dinnae trust ye, and I am keeping my eye on ye. I wilnae let ye hurt him. If I haed my way, I would hae put ye all on spikes tae save us the trouble.”

“Then I’m glad ye are nae in charge. Ye can question my loyalty all ye want, Calan, but it doesnae matter tae me. I only care what Ian thinks. As for my loyalty, it haes been where it haes always been—with the future of my clan.”

With that, she walked off, taking deep breaths to try and calm her heart. It seemed as though there were treachery and enemies all around. The only person whose intentions she could be sure of were Ian’s, and when they had first met, she never suspected that would be the case. It felt as though the walls were closing in, and there was no way out. She didn’t even know if it was possible to stop the attack from happening, and now she had to be extra careful of her movements because Calan was watching. It had never been this difficult to be laird before, and she wished that her father was here to give her some advice. She tried to imagine what he would say to her, but her mind was silent.

When she crawled back into bed, Ian was still sleeping. He didn’t even stir when she pulled the blanket around her.