Page 16

“We must go there,” declared Lachlan. He looked down at the boy who couldn’t have been more than six or seven. “Ye did well. Now we ken where to find her.”

The boy nodded, smiling slightly.

Lachlan was more afraid than ever before. Ailis must be all right. He couldn’t imagine what he would do without her in his life.

Feeling the pull of duty, Lachlan understood they would be in enemy lands and must be ready to defend themselves.

“Ready yerselves,” he commanded. “We must find Ailis.”

The three brothers put their heads together and whispered about plans and strategies. Only the three of them would go into Sinclair lands, as it would be easier to hide the three of them than an army.

*

In Sinclair keep, Arran Sinclair penned a message with ruthless intent. “Deliver this to Duncan McAfee without delay,” he ordered his swiftest rider. “Inform him that Ailis’s life is at stake if she refuses to marry me son Ian.”

As the messenger rode into the night, a somber expression crossed Arran’s face.

He had no problem with betraying the McAfees, but taking lasses prisoner made him feel as if he was doing evil work.

But he knew he must obey the mystery man if he was to be second in command, and he longed for the power that would bring.

*

“Let us hurry,” Lachlan urged. “We must reach Ailis before dawn. I worry that she will be hurt or killed. She will not give in to their demands. Not Ailis.”

They ventured into enemy territory. Approaching Sinclair castle cautiously, they knew Arran Sinclair held an unyielding heart.

“Ye ken we maynae be welcome here,” Alisdair muttered at the threshold.

“Then let us hope our words will shield us as well as any dirk,” Brodie added, hand on his sword hilt.

In the great hall, Lachlan didn’t waver. The Sinclairs watched the McClain brothers with spear-sharp eyes. No one came to fight with them, but it seemed as if everyone held their breath as they waited to see what the brothers would do.

“We seek an audience with yer laird,” Lachlan declared. “We’ve grave matters to discuss.”

“Ye accuse us of treachery?” a Sinclair elder asked coldly.

Lachlan replied calmly, “Accusations are unnecessary. We seek only truth… and Ailis McAfee’s safe return.”

“Ye come here demanding without proof.” Ian shook his head. “I’m offended by the very sight of ye.

“Proof lies in the absence of doubt,” Lachlan countered. “And there is none left to shelter behind. ’Twas Sinclair men who took her.”

The Sinclairs exchanged glances. Lachlan observed them closely, searching for any sign of Ailis’s location.

“Grant us time to confer,” Callum finally spoke without emotion. “Return on the morrow, and ye shall have yer answers.”

Lachlan bowed, honoring the parley customs while suppressing his impatience. Turning to his brothers, their unspoken vow united them: Ailis must be found, regardless of obstacles or adversaries.

*

Ailis McAfee sat on the only chair in her tower prison. At the sight of the distant hills, she yearned for her lost freedom. The heavy door creaked open, breaking the silence.

Ian Sinclair appeared in the doorway, demanding attention despite any attempted charm. “Ye must ken how much I desire ye, Ailis,” he began, a certain hardness underlining his words. “Will ye no’ do me the honor of becoming me wife?”

“I will not, Ian Sinclair,” she replied, standing firm. “Not today, nor any other day.”

His jaw clenched, irritation crossing his features. “Then here ye shall remain until ye see reason.”

“I do see reason. I see that ye have taken me against me will. Me father’s men will end ye.” Ailis spat decisively at his feet.

*

Hours passed before Ian returned with gifts: a bouquet of wildflowers and a meal carefully prepared. He presented them as if they could soften her heart.

“See here, lass, how deep me love for ye runs,” he began. “I canna let ye go. An’ I’ll do what I must to protect yer kin. Dinnae make me cause their suffering.”

Ailis looked at the flowers with disdain and stomped on them without a word.

“Ye dinnae know how to love,” she declared, standing above the crushed flowers. “I will not be bartered for the safety of me clan.”

The tension between them was palpable, a battle of wills with freedom at stake. Despite her heartache for her people, her spirit remained unbroken within the tower that had become her prison.

As the sun cast long shadows across the tower chamber’s stone floor, Ailis watched Ian Sinclair’s silhouette darken her doorway. His frame was tense with determination, his hair catching the last light as if crowning him with a halo he didn’t deserve.

“Sweet Ailis,” he began, voice fervent but eyes cold, “I desire nothing more than to have ye as me bride.”

He advanced toward her without invitation, the air between them charged with tension. The weight of Ailis’s plight was heavier than ever. She could see his knife tucked into a scabbard in his belt. If she could just reach it, she knew she could best him.

“Ye know this, dinnae ye?” His words were more plea than question as he reached out and cupped her face.

Before she could protest, his lips claimed hers with forceful intent. But Ailis McAfee had a core of steel forged by love for her clan and longing for freedom.

With fierce indignation, she stomped on Ian’s foot. His grip faltered as he grunted, their lips still locked.

Then, with untamed spirit, she bit down on his lip. The taste of iron flooded her mouth as blood welled up from the wound. Ian stumbled back, hand flying to his wounded mouth, eyes ablaze with shock and something akin to respect.

“Ye may take me freedom for now, Ian Sinclair,” Ailis declared despite her racing heart. “But ye’ll never take me will. Me soul belongs to me and the McAfee clan. Remember that.”

As Ian touched his lip and saw his bloodied fingers, her words hung in the air—undeniable and powerful. In that tower room where personal desires clashed with political plans, Ailis stood unyielding. Her duty to herself and her people outweighed any forced affection he might offer.

*

Lachlan McClain’s boots sank into the damp earth, his brothers flanking him as they strode through the Sinclair lands. The morning mist clung to the rolling hills, concealing the quiet village near the McAfee border. Urgency pulsed through Lachlan with each step.

“Have ye seen a lass by the name of Ailis? She would have been with two Sinclair soldiers,” he asked, scanning each villager for recognition. “She has dark hair and green eyes, and stands about this tall.” He held his hand up just above his shoulder.

Alisdair approached with precision. “Aye, we must ken where she has been taken.”

Brodie canvassed gently, probing the villagers.

Finally, a widow emerged. Her hollowed eyes met Lachlan’s. “I mayhap ken where the lass be,” she whispered, too afraid to speak with them.

Lachlan leaned in. “Tell us, and I will grant any boon within me power.”

“Promise me,” she implored, “a place ’neath the McAfee name, far from the laird and his sons.”

“Upon me life, ye shall have it,” Lachlan vowed, his words echoing unyielding bonds of kinship and protection.

In the widow’s gaze, hope flickered, and was apparent through the fear.

“And ye will take me to safety before ye attempt to rescue her?” she asked.

Lachlan nodded reluctantly. He didn’t want to wait to rescue Ailis, but he had to know where she was before he could help her.

The widow whispered, “She be in the east tower.” Her eyes darted nervously. Clutching her children’s hands, she followed Lachlan across the hills toward McAfee lands—sanctuary.

Crossing the border, the widow’s shoulders lightened as if McAfee air itself promised peace and protection.

Close to the McAfee village, Lachlan addressed two soldiers. “We have vowed to shelter this woman and her children,” he declared, gesturing toward the family clinging to hope.

“Aye, we’ll find ’em a proper hearth and home,” one soldier agreed. They all feared for the lass who had been taken from them and understood immediately how important it was to help this woman.

“Thank ye.” The widow bowed her head briefly.

With sanctuary assured, the widow and her offspring were escorted to a cottage on McAfee lands.

In the starless sky, Lachlan, Alisdair, and Brodie crossed the shadowy moor toward the east tower of Sinclair Castle. Lachlan studied the shape of the tower, hoping that his Ailis was all right.

Under the cloak of night, they crept closer to the tower. Silence accompanied them until a sudden clamor revealed their presence to Sinclair guards.

“Stand down, McClains,” a guard commanded.

Steel clashed as the brothers fought, but Alisdair soon called for retreat against overwhelming numbers. Frustration filled them as they withdrew, leaving Ailis behind.

*

From a cozy cottage within the safety of McAfee lands, the widow held her children close, praying for those who risked everything. And thanking God they had given her sanctuary.