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In contrast to Enya’s gentle ways, Thora was strong-willed, determined, and fiercely independent. She was as slender as her sister, yet had an ethereal presence to her character. Many found her to be mysterious, something she rather relished, but beneath her tough exterior, she had a kind heart and a deep sense of empathy for others.

With his mouth half-full, Kai said, “I’m with the lasses on this one, Domhnall. I think ye took it too far.”

Domhnall looked at his brother with astonishment. “Really? After what she said and did?”

Kai shrugged and shook his head. “It was fun fer a while, but…” he trailed off.

Taking his gaze to Magnus, Domhnall said, “And what about ye? Are ye in agreement with everyone else? Dae ye think I took it too far?”

Magnus looked at Domhnall fer a long moment.

“I dinnae want ye tae read me mind, Magnus. Just answer the damned question,” Domhnall growled.

Magnus breathed in and let out a long, slow breath. “Aye. I think ye could have handled things a little better. Enya’s right. The poor woman has been travelling fer a week or more. The dungeon is hardly the welcome we decided on fer her.”

It was Domhnall who then heaved a sigh. This was his family. The closest people to his person and his heart. He hated disappointing them, and had tried, since taking his position as laird, not to do so. It wasn’t always easy, and he had failed sometimes. He was only a man after all, powers or not. He had discovered early on that his father’s shoes were hard to fill.

Ordinarily, however, when he failed them, it was usually individually. This night, it was clear all his siblings were on the same side, and he was the fiend. And yet, even with their protestations, he still felt like the punishment was justified. Indeed, she had travelled many miles, and was likely cold and tired, but he had given Lady de Beaumont ample opportunity to correct her arrogance. That kick in his groin, not to mention spitting in his face, had been the last straw.

In fact, it had taken everything he had not to let his emotions overcome him entirely. It was when the likes of anger or rage took him over that his extraordinary strength burst from him, and on several occasions, he had lashed out and hurt people too much.

The excruciating pain she had caused with that kick, although it had mostly hurt his ego, had very nearly put him over the edge, and in his anger, he had taken her to the dungeons far quicker than any man ordinarily could. It had been a foolish thing to do, for she had picked up on it immediately, as anyone might. He could not have outsiders knowing about his powers. His or in fact, any of his siblings’ for that matter. It was too dangerous.

He had heard stories of those with gifts being captured, kidnapped, and their powers used for the perpetrator’s own gain. He would never allow that to happen to his family. He would protect them to the death.

“It’s because she’s English, isnae it?” Enya said.

“Nay. It’s because she’s a rude, arrogant woman,” Domhnall replied caustically.

By Enya’s expression, it was clear she did not believe him, but he knew why she had said such a thing. They had all suffered at the hands of the English. Their parents had been murdered by an English raid years before, and every single one of them felt guilty that, despite their gifts and abilities, not one of them had been able to prevent it from happening.

A knock on the dining room door cut into Domhnall’s thoughts, and turning, he watched a guard enter and approach the table.

“I’m sorry tae disturb yer meal, me laird, but I thought ye’d like tae be informed that Lady de Beaumont isnae eating or drinking what has been brought tae her.”

“Thank ye,” Domhnall nodded.

The guard returned the nod, and swiftly left.

When Domhnall looked back towards the table, all his siblings were gawking at him. He didn’t need their piercing gazes to feel worse. Him throwing her into the dungeons had been meant as a teasing punishment, not torture.

“Ye need tae go down there right this minute and let her out,” Enya demanded, gesturing to the door. “Go and speak tae her, and then have her brought tae her bedchamber fer a bath, like a normal person would.”

But even though Enya’s words were wise, Domhnall was still struggling to forgive Lady de Beaumont’s previous actions. Enya had been right earlier. Part of his animosity towards Lady de Beaumont had to do with the fact she was English. Her arrogance and the way she had acted toward him had only exacerbated his dislike of her.

“Domhnall,” Thora added, “this woman is tae be yer wife. Ye cannae lock her up every time she annoys ye.”

“Why nae?” Kai said jokingly, trying, as he always did, to add some light relief.

But Thora only scowled at him, and turning her attention back to Domhnall, she continued, “This situation is ridiculous. She has committed nay crime.”

“She assaulted me,” Domhnall growled.

“Och, come on. Dae ye ken how foolish ye sound? Look at ye? Yer the size o’ a house. I’ll bet she’s a wee tiny thing too.”

“With a good right foot,” Kai chuckled.

“Kai!” Thora and Enya barked together.