Page 35 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

“A rran,” Brianna said, addressing her husband she had believed dead.

Her husband.

With Arran alive that meant her marriage to Royce was not binding. She remained Arran’s wife though she carried another man’s child. She instinctively covered her stomach with her hand as if protecting her unborn bairn.

Royce wrapped a protective arm around his wife’s waist and drew her tightly against his side. His actions made his intentions clear. Brianna belonged to him, and no one would take her from him.

“I missed the ceremony,” Arran said, and his voice turned stern. “I am sorry, I could have saved you time since you already belong to me.”

Ian stepped forward before anyone could respond, and Blair moved up alongside him. Ian held his temper, though his tone warned that his anger sat close to the surface. “Why have you returned when you know you will be made to pay for your crimes?”

Arran threw his hands wide in a gesture of surrender. “I was blinded by greed and power and had foolishly ignored what was most important, my wife and the clan.”

Brianna grew nauseated, for she knew her husband well, and he was being deceptively charming, the first step in convincing every one of his innocence.

“I ask forgiveness for my ignorance. I did not think wisely, I thought selfishly. I know I should not be given another chance. I know that my crimes deserve imprisonment or death, but I ask for mercy from you, Ian, and I ask for a chance to make amends. If you cannot grant me this, then I ask that I may be imprisoned here within the keep so that I may at least make amends to my wife.”

The hall remained silent, and all waited. Waited for Ian’s response and waited to see what the legendary warrior would do.

“You do not deserve my sister,” Ian said, folding his arms across his chest and tucking his fists out of sight, fearing he would raise his hand to Arran.

“True, I have been cruel to her in the past, I will not deny that,” Arran said, sighing as if regretful. “But this time away from her and the clan made me realize my own selfishness and the consequences of being so selfish. Not a day has gone by that I have not regretted my actions.

If only I could go back and change the past, I would, but I cannot. I can only repent and tell you that whatever fate you decide for me, I will accept, for I know I deserve punishment.”

Moira spoke up, to no one’s surprise. “You have lied before, you do again.”

A chorus of agreements filled the room, but the unanimous opinion did not dissuade Arran. “I understand your doubt, especially you, Moira, for I had thought you in the way, and I foolishly attempted to remove you.”

Ian stepped toward him. “For that alone I should kill you.”

“I would feel the same if I were you,” Arran said, sounding sympathetic. “But I beg you to consider your sister. I love her and wish to do right by her. I want to make her happy. I want her to forgive me and see that I am the loving man she once thought I was.”

Royce could remain silent no longer. “Brianna no longer belongs to you. She is mine.”

Arran spoke with patience. “I understand how you must feel, and it is good to know that someone of your strength and power would look after my wife. But she is my wife and will remain my wife; therefore, she cannot belong to you.”

Royce was adamant, his powerful voice causing many to cringe. “She is my wife, she belongs to me, and—she carries my child.”

Arran’s face grew bright red and his eyes settled on Brianna with a fury that sent a chill through her.

Her old fears surfaced, though she allowed no one to know. She remained standing beside Royce with her head high, for she was proud that she carried Royce’s child and she wished everyone to know.

Arran tempered his emotions and hung his head as though saddened by the news. Then he raised his head and looked at Royce. “I will raise your child as if he were my own.”

Silence fell in the great hall, and many who stood nearby stepped back in fear of Royce’s reaction.

Royce was calm and confident when he spoke. “If Ian does not kill you, I will.”

Arran actually paled and moved back several steps. “I wish you no harm.”

Royce released Brianna, nudging her to Moira’s side.

She went reluctantly. He moved forward toward Arran. “You are a coward.”

Arran’s face turned scarlet at the obvious challenge. “I have behaved cowardly, but I am not a coward. I wish only to love my wife even if she carries your child.”

“You will not have my wife or my child.”

“Brianna is legally mine.” Arran’s patience was beginning to wane. “Therefore, the child is legally mine if I so choose.”

Royce almost reached out to choke him, but he stopped himself, his fists tightening at his sides. He would not allow himself to think that this coward would have any right to Brianna or his child. He would see him dead first.

“You can choose nothing. Ian will decide your fate.”

Arran visibly cringed. “I know Ian to be a fair man.”

He spoke loudly for all to hear and for many to sympathize with his plight.

“I pray that he will be fair in his judgment. That is why I returned to meet my fate and extend my regret for my foolish actions. I have suffered much while I was gone, and I will suffer more if necessary. I only ask for mercy and a chance to make amends.”

Royce moved forward with such speed that Arran had no chance to move. They finally stood face to face.

Royce spoke for only Arran to hear. “No matter what Ian decides, you will eventually face me and me alone. I will have no mercy.”

Arran shook with fear no matter how hard he attempted to control his tremble. “You have no right to my wife.”

“I have every right, for she loves me.”

Arran whispered harshly, “Brianna does not know how to love a man.”

Royce did not stop himself. His hand flew to Arran’s throat, grabbed a hard hold, lifted him off the floor, and held him there, his feet dangling. “Speak ill of my wife and I will snap your worthless neck,” he threatened.

Arran choked and fought, clawing frantically at Royce’s hand, and attempting to break his hold. His strength was that of many men; there was no breaking free.

Ian stepped forward and Royce’s men converged around him before Ian could gain on them. Blair moved to Ian’s side and the hall looked about ready to fight, and all for the sake of a coward.

“Enough,” Ian said, his voice thundering in the hall. “His fate is mine to decide.”

Royce lowered Arran to the ground, but before releasing him he whispered, “You and I shall settle this.”

Ian stepped past Royce’s men, shoving those aside who would not move. When he reached Arran, he spoke loud enough for the entire hall to hear. “You will be held in the dungeon until your fate is decided.”

Arran appeared relieved. “As you wish, though I beg you to let me speak with my wife.”

“Nay,” Royce said. “She has nothing to say to you.”

“I have things I must say to her,” Arran said, looking to Ian.

“It is my sister’s choice,” Ian said.

“Nay, it is mine,” Royce said forcefully. “My wife will not speak to him.”

“I will speak with my wife!” Arran shouted for all to hear, especially Brianna.

Brianna shivered at the thought. She had no desire to speak with him or be near him. She wanted nothing to do with him and feared that as his wife she would have no choice. She remained close to Moira, grabbing hold of her hand for support.

“You need not speak to him,” Moira assured her. “You heard your brother. It is your choice.”

“Brianna, please talk with me. I am sorry,” Arran begged.

Brianna wanted to cover her ears and drown his pleas, but she would appear a coward, and she wished to show strength.

Ian finally settled it. “You will not disturb my sister now. If she wishes, she will speak to you. Otherwise, you will remain silent.” Ian then looked at Royce. “Please see to Brianna while I finish dealing with him.”

Royce understood that Ian felt that his sister had seen enough and that he and Brianna required time alone to discuss this unexpected situation.

“I will speak with you later.”

Royce nodded to Ian, knowing that it was necessary for them to talk alone. What would be decided, Royce did not know. He only knew that Brianna would remain his; he would not surrender her.

Royce took Brianna in his arms, and together they left the hall, the celebration at an end.

Brianna hurried out of Royce’s arms when they entered her bedchamber and rushed to the fireplace, holding her hands out to warm them. The chill would not leave her. She felt the cold down to her bones and she could not get warm. She rubbed her hands together and then rubbed her arms.

Royce came up behind her, pressed his body against hers, and rubbed at her arms.

They spoke not a word, both attempting to understand their circumstances.

Royce made it known how he felt. “You are mine and I will not let you go.”

Brianna shared her fear. “I am married to Arran. What choice do I really have?”

“The choice is yours,” he assured her. ‘To me we are wed, and I will take you from here at this moment if you wish.”

She pulled away from him, yanking the wreath from her head and tossing it on the table. “We are not wed, and how can I leave while my husband awaits his fate?”

“You owe him nothing.”

“My vows say otherwise.”

“His vows meant nothing to him,” Royce said, attempting to make her see reason.

She shook her head. “He is my husband and I do not want to be his wife, but what do I do?”

“Come away with me,” he urged, taking a step toward her.

She moved away from him. “I cannot continue to run from my fears. This must be settled between him and me.”

“He lies and will continue to lie.”

“I know,” she admitted. “That is why this must be settled now.”

“Your brother will settle it, and if not him, then I.”

She feared what both men would do, and yet, had not Arran caused his own fate? “I must speak to my brother about this.”

Royce objected. “Nay, I will speak with him.”

“Do what you must, but so must I.”