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Wallace’s world crumbled. So many hopes had been pinned on his son. The future was John’s to take, but now he would never be able to. The color drained from Wallace’s face, and he truly looked like a phantom. His eyes were flinty. His hand curled into a fist, and he swiped it through the air, knocking down a mug of wine. The dark liquid spilled and trickled down the stone dais like blood. Elaine gasped.

“I will hae my revenge for this,” Wallace said in a low, terse voice.

“Wallace…there may be another explanation. Dinnae give in tae yer anger,” Elaine said. Wallace glared at her.

“Nobody kills my lad and gets away with it. I will hae the head of the one who killed him. This calls for war.” He stormed away, ignoring everyone who was trying to speak to him. A storm whirled inside his heart, and anger flared deep within, an anger that could only be sated by blood. The Calbraiths were responsible, and he would make them pay, no matter the cost.

1

The air whipped around Maura Calbraith as she geed her horse, Scone, on. Her twin brother, Ruairi, had mocked her when she had named the horse, claiming that Scone was not a good name for such a majestic and powerful creature. The horse had been but a foal when Maura had first bonded with it all those years ago, and in her young mind, Scone was a perfectly suitable name, especially because the horse’s coat was the same color as the delicious, crispy scones that were made in the kitchen every day. Just thinking about them made Maura salivate; even though she had grown out of many childhood habits, she still had a sweet tooth. As a child, she had been rosy-cheeked and happy. Now, as a young woman, those delicate, dainty features had blossomed into beauty. Her hair was long and brown, silky and lustrous, while her eyes were sparkling blue. She had the striking features of her father, Laird Niall Calbraith, but her warmth, compassion, and kindness were all qualities she had inherited from her mother.

She also had a fierce fighting spirit, which was a blessing from both parents, and it meant that she and her brother were often locked in competition with each other. Ruairi had brooding handsomeness—a shadow of his father—with dark hair and a strong figure. Like his uncle Jamie, he had trained hard with weapons of all kinds, and looked as though he might be able to pull up trees. Their youth was slowly slipping by, and the time was coming where they would have to go their separate ways, although they didn’t like to think about that.

Maura was determined not to let Ruairi win this time, as he often did. No matter how fast she was able to go, he always seemed to be just a little bit faster. Perhaps it was because she fed Scone a few too many sugar cubes, while he kept his horse, Ash, as lean and muscular as himself. She looked up and saw his dusky stallion crash through the forest, trampling on sticks and bracken. Small animals scurried away as the ground trembled under the force of their swift hooves, and birds fluttered, watching in awe at this race between siblings. Sweat prickled on Maura’s brow, and her thighs ached as she gripped the horse tightly. Her head was bowed, leaning so close to the horse that their hearts were beating as one.

“Come on Scone, ye can dae it,” she urged.

Scone ascended a rise, and the beautiful sapphire sky stretched out before them, with mountains rising in the distance. Maura knew a hundred stories about those mountains and the land around her, for her father had told her lots of tales as she was growing up. She looked across at Ruairi and saw that she was getting closer. For a moment, she thought she might actually win. A smile played on her face as she thought about how she would crow over Ruairi and savor this victory for as long as she was able.

“Come on, Scone,” she grunted, willing the horse forward with all the force her young heart could muster. She pushed away the pain that thrummed through her body, and then called out to Ruairi, “I’m gaeing tae beat ye this time!”

“Never!” Ruairi cried. He and Ash were a few paces away. There was a wide creek in the land, a gap that he would have to avoid, which would cost him precious time—time that Maura was going to take advantage of. She could feel the sweet taste of triumph already and was getting ready to pump her fist in celebration. The huge, old, gnarled oak tree that was the marker for the finish of the race loomed before them, its thick roots spreading out like tentacles, as though it reached out across all the world. Dirt was kicked up as Scone made the final motion forward. Maura clenched her fist, ready to pump it in celebration, only to see an impossible sight. With a cry, Ruairi inspired Ash to leap across the creek. The horse only barely landed on the other side. Dirt crumbled away and fell into the gap, but it allowed Ruairi to reach the tree first. He leaped off his horse and pressed his hand to the bark, rubbing Ash enthusiastically with his other hand.

Maura rode up to him a moment later, dismay and disbelief on her face.

“What are ye daeing? Ye could hae killed yerself!” Maura said, annoyed that he had won, and that he had put himself in danger.

Ruairi rolled his eyes and laughed away her concern. “I haed faith in Ash,” he said, patting the stallion, who whinnied in response. Maura alighted from the horse and panted. Her face was red from riding, and her brow was furrowed as she pointed an accusing finger at Ruairi.

“Ye cheated.”

“I didnae cheat!” Ruairi yelled, the humor fading quickly. “I took another route, and it was fair. Ye could hae made it as well, if ye didnae feed Scone sae much sugar.”

“She likes it,” Maura said defensively, wrapping her arms around Scone’s neck. Scone shook her head; her powerful heart thumped frantically. “Anyway, ye should nae hae done that.”

“Ye hae tae take risks sometimes. It’s the only way tae win,” Ruairi said.

Within moments, there was another thunder of hooves as a third horse came into view. This one was ridden by their father, Laird Niall Calbraith, a magnificent specimen of a man who was as strong as he was handsome. He cut a striking figure on the horse, and there was a stern look on his face as he alighted to the ground. The horses wandered off a little way to where a stream danced through the forest. Its water was cool and clear, and the horses took the opportunity to slake their thirst.

“Did ye see me, Da?” Ruairi said in good spirits.

“Aye, I saw ye alright,” Niall said. “Ye need tae be careful, Ruairi. That was a risky jump.”

“I know!” Ruairi said, proud of his accomplishment. Maura rolled her eyes and turned to her father.

“He doesnae understand why he is being foolish,” Maura said.

Ruairi scoffed at this. “Ye are just jealous because ye lost. Again. Like ye always dae.”

“Ruairi, be kind tae yer sister,” Niall said, his words forceful in their insistence. Ruairi bowed his head. About the only thing that could rein him in was a stern word from their father. “There is no need tae argue about this. But Ruairi, be careful next time. Ye could easily hae slipped and fallen down that creek. Only take risks when ye need tae. Winning a race with yer sister is no cause tae risk yer life or the life of yer horse.”

“Aye, Da,” Ruairi said in a humbled voice. Niall walked towards the tree and leaned against it.

“Ye need tae enjoy these days while they last,” Niall said.

Maura and Ruairi glanced at each other. They both knew what was coming. Maura had been told a few years ago that one day she would have to leave the clan and marry. It was her responsibility to ensure the strength and safety of the clan. Her mother, Moira, had told her that there was nothing to worry about and that they would make sure to pick out a suitable husband for her, a man that would protect her and that she would grow to love. Moira had been through the same thing, as had Maura’s aunts, and yet the thought of leaving everything she knew still filled her with unease. It was more difficult because of Ruairi. The twins had come into this world together, and it seemed unnatural for them to part.

“I dinnae like thinking of the future, Da. It makes me feel sick,” Maura confessed. Niall smiled.