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G olden morning light bathed the courtyard where Lachlan approached the newly fortified walls. Masons’ hammers rang out. “Will they be ready on time?” he asked.

The head mason nodded. “If we have to work without sleep or food until the enemy arrives, we will do so. It will be done.” He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “Most of the work is done now that the stones have been moved together and stacked into a wall.”

“I appreciate all ye’re doing to help the effort. And I thank ye from all of us.” Lachlan wanted every man, woman, and child gathered to understand that their role was integral to the effort.

Later, Lachlan addressed the soldiers gathered.

“Men, we stand united as brothers to protect our lands and people. Our enemy is the Stewart Clan and their allies. Let’s remember not to fight with our allies, and only with the enemy!

I dinnae want to have to send more of ye to build walls in the middle of battle. I think we’ll need every one of ye!”

Lachlan paused briefly for the laughter to die down. “I suppose the next punishment would be mucking out stables, but I dinnae want to have to lose any of ye!”

His face and demeanor became serious. “But in all seriousness,” he continued, “Stand firm, fight with honor and courage. Victory will be ours because we possess an unbreakable bond of family and unity.”

After Lachlan’s serious call to arms, he paused for a moment before grinning mischievously. “Remember, lads,” he chuckled, “if we can handle cleaning up after stubborn livestock, facing the Stewart Clan will be a piece of cake! Just think of them as particularly unruly sheep with swords.”

Lachlan raised his sword high. The men responded with a resounding battle cry. In that moment, he was proud. Determination surged within him. Failure was not an option.

*

Ailis navigated the busy courtyard, sunlight glinting off her hair as she searched for Moira. The cacophony of laughter and clattering pots filled the air, echoing the tension of the impending battle.

“Moira!” Ailis called. “We must gather the women and children and tell them they are welcome to come here during the battle. We need to keep everyone who is not part of the army safe.”

Moira left a tent, concern flashing in her eyes as she registered Ailis’s expression. “What’s happened?”

“The battle is near,” Ailis answered. “Our people need safety in the keep, and I’m not certain the Sinclair allowed the women and children to stay in the keep during battle.

I dinnae think it was that way when our army attacked, so we must let all the women and children know they should seek out safety with us. ”

Nodding, Moira added, “Let’s round them up. They cannae be harmed.”

The sisters corralled their people, anxiety gnawing at Ailis as she faced their frightened expressions. She addressed them firmly, “To the keep as soon as we hear the army approaching. It’s safest during battle. The walls will protect all of us.”

As everyone entered the keep, Ailis suggested to Moira, “We should do more—to support and strengthen our men.”

Curiosity sparked in Moira’s eyes. “How so? I think we’ve prepared in every way we possibly can in such a short time!”

“A banquet,” Ailis replied. “A respite before battle to boost morale and unity through shared meals and companionship. We’ll have dancing after, but we’ll stop it earlier than we normally would, so our soldiers will get plenty of sleep.”

Surprised but grinning, Moira agreed. “Ye’re right—we need a ceilidh. Let’s do this with Fiona. She’s better at planning parties than either of us are. Going into the battle, remembering good times with each other will help the men remember what they are fighting for.”

When Fiona appeared nearby, Ailis called her over urgently. “Fiona—help plan tomorrow night’s banquet for everyone in the keep. We’ll have the whole clan and all the soldiers. We celebrate the Highlands and customs, and perhaps the men will be able to remember why we dinnae want things to change.”

Fiona’s eyes shimmered with anticipation. “We’ll create a feast to remember, one that fuels our people for the upcoming battle. And a dance after?”

“Of course,” Moira replied. “But we’ll need to remember to stop the music and dancing early, so the men are well-rested for the battle ahead.”

Ailis surveyed the bustling great hall, filled with soldiers, women, and children gathered for the party. As she navigated the crowd, Ailis greeted each soldier with sincere gratitude. “Thank ye for yer bravery. Skye and I will tend to any injuries during and after the battle.”

She moved from table to table. The scent of roasted venison, freshly baked bread, and mulled wine filled her senses as laughter and conversation echoed throughout the hall. “Please make certain not to over imbibe on the wine. Ye’ll need all yer senses about ye tomorrow.”

Despite the merriment, Ailis remained vigilant. She urgently spoke to each woman, insisting they take refuge in the keep during the battle. “Promise me ye’ll keep yerselves and the children safe.”

The women nodded, fear and resolve on their faces. Ailis saw their determination to protect their families, and she knew they would listen and join them in the keep. They may not worry much about their own safety, but each woman would lay down her life for her child.

Ailis felt a gentle hand on her arm and turned to spy Lachlan beside her. “May I have this dance?”

She hesitated but agreed, letting Lachlan lead her onto the dance floor. They moved together in time with the music, and for a moment, she forgot their trials, lost in his company. “I have told all the women to bring the children to the keep,” she informed him.

Lachlan nodded. “I saw ye talking to the soldiers as well.”

“I was simply reminding them that they are all appreciated and invited them to pick up rations in the kitchen before they leave tonight.”

But Ailis noticed some Sinclair women talking intimately with soldiers from other clans. Worry pierced her thoughts of them leaving after the battle. However, she knew many of them were widowed, and perhaps they would find happiness with the soldiers. It would be good for them to find love again.

As the dance concluded, Ailis thanked Lachlan softly. Before he could reply, Duncan appeared at her side, concern etched across his face. “Ailis, may I have a word?” he asked gravely.

“Of course, Father. What is it?”

Duncan’s voice was low and urgent. “Have ye given any more thought to the punishment for Arran and Callum? They’ve been here for months now, and I believe it’s time they faced the punishment for their actions.”

Ailis shook her head. “With the war at hand, I had forgotten about them. I cannae ask they be executed, as I won’t have that blood on me hands.

And I dinnae think anything less is appropriate, so do as ye will.

” Truth be told, she’d forgotten all about their Sinclair prisoners, and simply thinking of a punishment for them was too much for her to handle while they were on the eve of battle.

Lachlan stepped forward. “If I may, Duncan, perhaps I could be the one to mete out their punishment?”

Duncan nodded. “Very well, Lachlan. I trust ye will see that justice is served. It was yer wife who was kidnapped, so in a way, it was a slight directed at ye.”

Ailis focused on her duty to her people and the clan as the conversation shifted to other matters.

Later in their chambers, Ailis turned to Lachlan, concern evident on her face. “How do ye plan to punish Arran and Callum?” She didn’t want to think about how he would punish them, but it seemed important at that moment. She didn’t want blood on his hands any more than she wanted it on her own.

“Dinnae worry about it,” he told her gently but firmly. “It’s not yer burden to bear. Ye are me wife now, and I will take care of the men who took ye prisoner.”

“Lachlan, please,” she implored, stepping closer. “I dinnae need any more blood on me hands.”

“The blood will be on me hands,” he assured her. “I will do what must be done for our clans and our future together.”

Ailis leaned into his touch, feeling both love and fear for what the dawn might bring. She whispered, “Make love to me, Lachlan.”

Lachlan captured her lips in a fervent kiss. Ailis responded, tugging at his clothing, eager for their skin to touch.

Ailis melted into Lachlan’s embrace, heat searing through her veins as his lips caressed hers with a passion that stole her breath.

His calloused hands slid along the curves of her waist and back, igniting trails of fire through the thin fabric of her gown.

A soft moan escaped her throat, spurring him on.

Lachlan’s nimble fingers made quick work of the laces at the back of her dress.

The garment slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

Ailis shivered, though not from the cool evening air on her bare skin.

No, the trembling arose from the smoldering intensity in Lachlan’s eyes as his gaze roved over her, drinking in every inch.

Lachlan pulled her flush against him, the heat of his body searing her bare skin. Ailis gasped as she felt the evidence of his arousal pressing insistently against her stomach. Her own desire pooled low in her belly, aching and urgent.

Lachlan’s hands roamed her curves reverently, calluses rasping deliciously along soft, sensitive flesh. “I want to worship every inch of you,” he breathed against the shell of her ear before nipping at the lobe.

Ailis shuddered and arched into him. “Yes, please,” she managed, her own hands tugging impatiently at the fastenings of his shirt. She needed to feel his skin against hers, with no barriers between them.