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I n the great hall of Duncan McAfee’s keep, four men surrounded an oak table laden with history. Lachlan McClain shattered the silence.

“Laird McAfee, we must act while Ailis remains captive within Sinclair’s walls,” Lachlan implored, eyes burning with determination. “We need to gather our forces—both McAfee and McClain—and storm their castle.”

Duncan, experienced in leadership, met Lachlan’s ardor with a measured expression. “Yer courage is admirable, but patience,” he advised softly. “An army will hasten her end. I fear the Sinclairs would slay her before we breach their gate.”

Alisdair agreed silently, his assessing eyes revealing a strategic mind. Brodie stood apart, contemplative.

“How shall we proceed to rescue Ailis without condemning her?” Lachlan asked, seriousness replacing his usual cheer. “We canna do anything that would put her at risk.”

Duncan steepled his fingers, signaling a clever scheme taking shape. “Subtlety. Guile where force would fail.” He paused, picturing their path forward. “We’ll devise a plan that saves Ailis without bloodshed. Our honor demands it.”

*

In the tower chamber, Ailis McAfee paced restlessly. She was used to being outdoors daily, and her confinement in the tower was going to make her crazy. She had to get out of there and soon.

The door creaked open. Ian entered, his once charming smile now laced with cruelty. “Me bonny Ailis,” he began with a silky voice, “I’ve come to ask ye again, will ye not consent to be me bride?”

Ailis turned to face him, her green eyes fierce and defiant. “I widnae marry ye if ye were the last man in all of Scotland,” she declared.

Unfazed, Ian moved closer, intent clear in his gaze. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her without permission. Ailis resisted, stomping on his foot and biting his lip. “Yer very touch sickens me,” she uttered through gritted teeth.

Ian stumbled back, anger mixed with grudging admiration in his eyes.

Ailis held her ground, her heart pounding.

Ian had met his match with her, and she would happily do something she’d vowed as a healer never to do.

She would kill him if given the opportunity.

The realization that she would take a life and not feel guilt for it shocked her to her core.

How could she be so cruel as to kill a man, and not feel as if she would burn in hell? It made no sense to her.

But she knew if she could get her hands on a knife, she would throw it straight through his black heart without hesitation.

*

Outside the keep’s walls, Lachlan and his brothers approached in disguise. Cloaked in Sinclair colors and false locks of hair, they moved toward the tower with unwavering resolve.

Upon entering the bailey, Lachlan scanned for any sign of recognition while moving swiftly.

As they neared the stairwell, however, Sinclair guards emerged, glaring suspiciously.

Forced to speak with them rather than risk discovery, Lachlan engaged them in conversation while secretly agonizing over the urgency of their mission.

“Apologies, good sirs,” Lachlan began calmly. “We seek audience with our chieftain on matters most pressing.”

“Ye’ll find no passage here,” one guard replied, barring the way. “Be off with ye, ’ere trouble finds yer necks.”

Lachlan withdrew alongside Alisdair and Brodie, their retreat hiding the frustration that threatened to boil over. They left the keep with tension in their shoulders, aware that a more daring plan was now necessary.

Lachlan’s jaw clenched as he beheld the Sinclair guards, their eyes narrow with suspicion. Despite the failed ruse, determination burned within him. He would not leave without assurance of Ailis’s well-being.

“Before we depart,” Lachlan addressed the guard, “I must insist upon speaking with Lady Ailis. I need to know she remains unharmed before any negotiation can commence between our clans.”

The soldiers exchanged wary glances but ultimately could not deny his request. They didn’t want a full-out war any more than the McClain men did. “Very well,” the lead guard conceded, gesturing for Lachlan to follow. “Ye may speak to her through the door. No more.”

Lachlan climbed solemnly. He would give anything to be able to see Ailis and verify that she was all right, but he understood it couldn’t happen.

At last, they stood before a heavy wooden door holding Ailis behind its barrier. The guards positioned themselves like sentinels, watching Lachlan closely.

“Ailis,” Lachlan called, his voice resonating against the oak. “It is I, Lachlan. I need to know ye are safe and unharmed.”

“Lachlan? Yer presence warms me heart. I am well enough, though bored in this dreary tower.”

He chuckled softly. Only Ailis would complain of boredom while she was kept prisoner. “I regret that I didna think to bring ye something to do. Perhaps I could return with needlepoint or even something for ye to practice throwing.”

“Next time bring me a distraction then,” she called back. “I’m tired of being trapped here with nothing to do but pace back and forth. A knife would be lovely because I could practice me aim through the window here. Do ye think ye could bring a knife?”

He chuckled softly. She truly brought joy to his life, even when she was held prisoner. “I feel that bringing ye a knife would be frowned upon by yer captors. Hold fast, Ailis,” he replied in a tone carrying a promise. “We shall devise a means to return ye to the warmth of yer home and hearth.”

He nodded to the guards and descended the stairs, his mind working on a plan that would reunite Ailis with her kin. And with him. The most important thing in his mind was being able to hold her close once again.

*

Lachlan faced his brothers, Alisdair and Brodie, in the courtyard. “We must inform Duncan of our findings. Each moment wasted is another with Ailis still captive.”

Brodie nodded. “We must act swiftly.” He glanced up toward the tower as if trying to see through the walls.

Inside the McAfee keep, Duncan awaited their news. “Ailis remains unharmed but weary,” Lachlan reported. “She complained I should have brought her a distraction for her boredom.”

Duncan smiled. “Me daughters are the bravest lasses in all of Scotland!”

Lachlan nodded. “They are. But I do worry that she will try something dangerous if she is not rescued soon.” He sighed. “She asked me to bring her a knife so she could work on throwing them more accurately.”

“Ailis would ask for a knife. I expect nothing less from her. Patience must be our ally as we devise a cunning plan to restore her,” Duncan replied.

“Laird,” he began, “We should muster our forces and strike at Sinclair’s borders. Our combined might could create confusion to mask our true intent—liberating Ailis while their men are engaged. They have lost a great many soldiers to our swords. They would be afraid of losing more.”

Duncan considered the proposal, the weight of responsibility apparent on his face. Finally, he nodded. “Yer courage is commendable, but such an endeavor demands precision. Give us a day or two to marshal resources and devise a scheme that ensures Ailis’s return and our honor intact.”

Lachlan’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he acknowledged the laird’s decision—the promise of action pacifying his restless spirit. He stepped back, resolved for the trials ahead. “Should we call upon the McClain allies?” he asked.

Duncan shook his head. “We can handle this ourselves. Their army was never what I would call good, and they have dwindled recently in their attempts to attack us.”

*

Once again, Ian interrupted Ailis’s thoughts as he joined her in the tower. “Have ye changed yer mind? Are ye ready to marry me and leave this tower?”

“Have ye changed yer mind? Are ye ready to let me go so more blood is not spilled? Have ye thought of how many men ye’ve already lost in this endeavor?” she countered.

“Ye are a ridiculous lass, expecting me to give up. Ye realize, all the fighting between our clans would be over if ye just would agree to this marriage.”

“Ye realize letting me go is the only way ye will get out of this predicament alive? It won’t be yer father the McAfee men go after.

Twill be ye. They know ye are the one to take me.

They know ye are a truly evil person. They will kill ye.

Mayhap, they will even torture ye before.

” She grinned. “Mayhap they will allow me to be the one to torture ye. Have ye seen me skills with a knife? I’ve never flayed a man alive, but ye make me think it would be a fun way to alleviate me boredom here. ”

Ian shook his head. “Yer as stubborn as an old goat!”

She chuckled. “Mayhap I am. But ye are as stupid as one.”

She was relieved when he left the tower without another word, closing the door behind him. She smiled. She could best him in words and with a knife. And she would be rescued by the combined forces of the McClains and McAfees. Soon, she had no doubt.

*

Lachlan studied the grand table covered in maps and missives, fingers tracing routes toward the Sinclair stronghold. Wax and wood smoke filled the air, evidence of countless strategic hours spent here.

“Here,” he muttered, touching the tower imprisoning Ailis. An involuntary smirk emerged as duty aligned with personal desire—rescuing her meant strategy and heartfelt purpose.

“Brother,” Brodie broke the silence, “we cannot delay. Striking at dawn brings surprise.”

Lachlan agreed. “Brute force won’t suffice.

I’ll lead. They’ll watch for me. They’ll know we are there to rescue Ailis if I am not with the army.

Well, they’ll know if we come that we’re setting about rescuing Ailis, but I think there is less chance of being recognized immediately if Brodie is the one to fetch her from the tower. ”

“I’ll take to shadows,” Brodie resolved. “Retrieve Ailis unseen.”

The decision settled within Lachlan’s heart. “Yer talent for invisibility is crucial. I would prefer to rescue her meself, but it just is not possible this time.”

“Then it’s decided.” The brothers stood united in determination.

“I am glad she didn’t seem lost. She hasn’t lost any hope. That hope shall save us both,” Lachlan whispered.

Memorizing every map detail, Lachlan steeled himself for action with thoughts of rescuing Ailis from her cold prison. He would face any devil for her.

“Prepare yerself, brother,” he urged, approaching the door. “We ride at first light.”