Page 15

M eanwhile, Arran Sinclair glanced up at a soft sound and caught a shadow emerging. The man’s voice cut through the stillness.

“Arran Sinclair,” the man began, “the Sinclair clan stands alone, betrayed by the McAfees. A marriage between Ailis and Lachlan would seal this betrayal. Something needs to be done immediately.”

Arran’s gaze sharpened, acknowledging the stark truth. “What do ye propose?” he inquired.

“Kidnap Ailis before she binds herself to Lachlan,” the figure suggested ominously.

“My oldest son kidnapped McAfee’s daughter. It dinna work out. We need to come up with a better plan.”

“There is no better plan and time is running out. Ye will do as I say, or yer clan will be left to fight the McAfees and McClains alone.”

In the waning light, Arran deliberated and reluctantly nodded. He had known the McAfee lasses since they were bairns. The idea of kidnapping one was distasteful, but he’d walked along the traitorous path for too long to turn back now.

Soon inside the great hall, Arran convened with his sons, Ian and Callum, by the crackling fire. Both were eager to make an alliance with the McAfees any way they could.

“Ian, Callum,” Arran began, a weight in his words. “Ailis must be taken from the McAfees.”

Ian met his father’s eyes as Callum absorbed the grave task ahead.

“Create chaos,” Arran commanded. “Command the ‘clanless’ men to disrupt the McAfee borders. In that turmoil, seize Ailis. It must be done soon.”

“An abduction,” Ian mused aloud, calculating outcomes. “With our alliance shattered, we have little to lose. And while she is here, I can force her to marry me. It should be simple enough.”

Callum nodded in silent acquiescence, resolve etched on his features.

Arran sighed wearily. “Send only our weakest soldiers to fight. Our numbers dwindle rapidly, and we must have a clan left after ye marry the lass.”

*

Ailis responded to an urgent call for aid.

Hastily dressing, she readied herself to assist an injured woman thrown from her horse, arm twisted unnaturally.

The woman was one of the best in the entire clan with horses.

It didn’t make sense to Ailis that she’d been injured the way she had, but she would be there to help in any way she could.

As she hurried through the great hall, she told her father where she was going. “I must tend to Kirsty, who has been thrown from her horse and has injured her arm. From the description, it sounds like it’s broken, and she needs me.”

Duncan frowned. “I would like ye to take a guard. I worry about yer safety.”

Overhearing, Lachlan offered his unwavering support. “I will not let anything happen to her.”

Duncan smiled and nodded. “See that ye dinnae.”

As they navigated the rugged terrain together, Ailis cautioned, “Stay close. I fear there’s more to this than is apparent. Kirsty is the best horsewoman in the clan, and she often helps with the training. This injury does not make sense.”

They arrived to find Kirsty on the ground with an injury that seemed more than should have happened with a simple fall. Ailis tended to her expertly while Lachlan stood watchful and protective.

Lachlan carried Kirsty back to her cottage, where Ailis skillfully tended to her wound with practiced grace, comforting her with gentle words as Lachlan stood guard with a wary eye on their surroundings.

“Do what ye must. I understand it is broken and needs to be mended properly. I expect pain,” Kirsty whispered through gritted teeth.

Ailis smiled softly, offering reassurance as she carefully set the injury. “I apologize for the pain I cause, but ye are right. It must be mended.”

After the arm was set, Ailis made supper for the woman’s family. It would normally be Kirsty’s task, and she shouldn’t be jostling the arm too much. “I hope yer family likes stew.”

Kirsty nodded. “They will be happy with anything ye take the time to fix for us. I thank ye for all the trouble ye have gone to.”

“It is no trouble to help me family. What happened? Ye have a reputation with horses, and it’s not one of being thrown.”

Kirsty shook her head. “I am not certain. I was riding, making certain the horse was tamed enough for its new owner, and it stumbled over a rock that was not there yesterday. It threw me.” She sighed. “Dinna worry. The horse is fine.”

Ailis smiled. “Ye are a great deal more important to this clan than any horse.”

Kirsty glowered at her feet for a moment. “I feel as if I’ve done something wrong.”

Ailis sat beside the woman on her bed. “Ye did yer job, and there was an injury. How could that be yer fault? I am glad someone came for me so quickly.” She carefully patted the other woman’s hand.

“The stew is ready for supper. If ye need me to cook other meals for yer children, send someone to me. I am always willing to help.”

“Me mother is next door. She will cook for us. All will be well.”

Ailis nodded. “I’m willing to help if ye need it.” She stood and walked to the door, frowning when she saw that Lachlan was no longer standing guard. Where had he gone?

It made no sense that he’d left in the space of an hour when he’d spent days and days waiting as she’d healed Doirin.

There was a great commotion she hadn’t noticed until that moment. She called to a child who was standing not far from her. “What has happened?”

“Clanless men are attacking again!” a boy called to her.

Ailis frowned. She had heard of no other clans being attacked by these men, but they seemed to plague the McAfees. “Thank ye!” She was certain Lachlan had gone to help with the battle, and she set out for the keep alone.

When two soldiers in McAfee plaids came up on either side of Ailis, she frowned. She didn’t recognize these men, and she knew most of the soldiers. “Is the battle over?” she asked.

Each of the soldiers took one of her arms and changed her direction. With everyone distracted by the battle they knew was taking place, no one noticed when she was forced over the border to Sinclair land.

Ailis’s heart pounded as thoughts of her family and Lachlan raced through her mind. Would they know of her plight or believe she vanished like mist over the moors?

As the soldiers quickened their pace, Ailis knew this was another betrayal by the Sinclairs. She turned cold with dread, wondering what the Sinclairs intended. Now they had kidnapped two daughters of the laird of Clan McAfee, and they would be brought to justice. There was no doubt in her mind.

A spark of defiance ignited within her. She would not submit without contest. Though they had caught her by surprise, Ailis was a strong woman, and she would find a way back to the people she loved. And the Sinclairs would pay a price for their treachery.

For now, she was a captive on an uncertain path, her destiny intertwined with men who saw her as nothing more than a means to an end—a jewel in pursuit of power.

*

“Let us face what comes,” Lachlan called, his voice commanding as they braced for battle. While Alisdair led the McAfee men, Lachlan led the McClain men who were still with Clan McAfee.

As foes descended upon them, blades clashed in a frenzied dance of steel and valor.

Grunts and shouts of battle cries filled the air as fighters engaged in fierce combat.

Lachlan led his comrades into the fray with unwavering resolve—each swing of his sword driven by duty and loyalty.

In the chaos of battle, their unity strengthened—a bond forged in blood and sweat that transcended mere alliances.

With unyielding determination, Lachlan fought on despite exhaustion looming over him. He fought not just for victory but for those who depended on him for protection and guidance.

The fight continued for more than an hour, every clash of steel echoing through the moors—a testament to their unbreakable resolve as they faced their enemies head-on.

Finally, the few soldiers of the clanless men who still stood turned and ran, and Lachlan called to let them go. There was no use chasing after them. Soon they would be back for another fight, as that’s all they seemed to do.

The clamor of battle subsided, leaving only the echo of steel and the panting of exhausted men. Lachlan moved purposefully through the remnants of the fray, his thoughts on Ailis.

He broke into a run and approached the cottage where he had left her. As he neared the threshold, he knew something was wrong. The door swung lightly in the breeze—an ominous invitation.

“Where is she?” His voice emerged barely above a whisper but heavy with dread.

Kirsty lay sleeping on the bed, but there was nothing else to see. He didn’t wake the woman and instead, went to talk to anyone close, hoping they had seen what was happening.

He asked several people if they knew where Ailis had gone, but everyone claimed she had gone toward the keep. He raced there, hoping she’d made it safely, but something in the pit of his stomach told him otherwise.

Back at the keep, she was nowhere to be found. She hadn’t been seen since morning.

“Alisdair! Brodie!” he called, his voice piercing the stillness.

Bound by blood and common cause, the brothers arrived hastily. Alisdair’s eyes met Lachlan’s with shared understanding while Brodie surveyed the scene attentively.

“Spread the word,” Lachlan commanded, “Ailis is missing.”

Brodie studied Lachlan. “I wonder if the attack was to distract us so they could take her. We’ve all thought that the attacks were by the Sinclairs.”

“I hope not,” Lachlan huffed, praying they didn’t have Ailis.

The McAfee men, burdened with the aftermath of conflict, dispersed into the evening. They searched the land. Whispers of a sighting—two soldiers escorting a captive toward Sinclair lands—stirred them into action.

The boy who had told the tale was barely able to speak he was so nervous. “I thought it was Lady Ailis, but I couldna tell for certain,” he said looking down at his feet as his whispered words reached the large man in front of him.

“Sinclair lands?” Brodie questioned.