Page 95 of Love Me Forever

Arm in arm and with satisfied smiles Moira and Brianna preceded Royce out the door.

Ian looked passed his wife and sister as they entered his solar to Royce, who followed behind them.

Royce grinned, shrugged, and cast an eye toward Moira.

Ian shook his head, accepting defeat.

Brianna spoke up. “I have a right to be here, Ian.”

“I suppose you do, so I will not argue with you, since it would be pointless, especially since my wife stands beside you.”

“That I do,” Moira said, as if anyone should doubt it.

“Arran rests more comfortably than he deserves in the keep’s dungeon,” Ian said, knowing it was useless to disagree with the two women and wanting to settle this matter as quickly as possible. “He insists on speaking with you, Brianna.”

Royce answered for her. “She will not speak with him.”

“It is up to Brianna,” Ian reminded.

Royce looked at Brianna, and she understood that what he had said was true, this was a matter that required consideration between them and she could not do that standing beside Moira. She should be standing by the man she truly considered her husband.

She walked over to Royce and slipped her hand in his. “It is something that Royce and I must decide together.”

Royce raised their joined hands to kiss hers. “I am proud you are mine.”

His words stirred her heart. It had been many years since anyone had told her they were proud of her, and she thrilled at the thought that he took pride in her.

Ian was glad to see them unite over this. “Then you do not wish to speak with him?”

“I truly do not know what I would say to him. He stirs old memories and fears I thought I had laid to rest.”

“You have nothing to fear,” Royce said harshly, angry that another caused her fear. “I will always protect you.”

“I know,” Brianna said with a soft smile. “I have no doubt of that, but a small part of me wonders . . .”

Royce understood and it did not sit well with him.

“You wonder if I truly can protect you.”

“Arran is my husband.” Brianna’s voice trembled. “He has rights with me that you do not. He is deceptive and he charms without most realizing it.”

“Your brother is not ignorant,” Royce insisted. “He will see that he is made to pay for his crimes. He will sentence him to death and be done with this matter.”

“He cannot,” Brianna said, turning to her brother. “If you order his execution, all will say that you did so only so that Royce and I could wed.”

“You understand my dilemma,” Ian said with a sense of relief.

Royce shook his head. “I do not understand. Ian leads the clan and his decision is law. Arran attempted to take Moira’s life. That is a crime punishable by death. He should get what he deserves.”

“I have shown mercy before and Arran knows this,” Ian explained.

“You cannot think of letting him go without punishment?” Royce asked incredulously.

“Nay, I would not do that,” Ian assured him. “He deserves imprisonment, but my sister does not and there lay my dilemma. If I sentence him to imprisonment, my sister remains his wife and is not free to wed you. If I sentence him to death, Brianna is right; many will talk and doubt my fairness as a leader.”

Royce understood all too well the difficulty of leading a clan. “A leader cannot always be fair; he must do what is right and oftentimes difficult.”

Ian agreed. “Aye, you are right and this is a difficult decision.”