Page 20 of Tempted by a Highland Beast (Tales of Love and Lust in the Murray Castle #9)

“Aye.” The word came out sharp. “He claimed it was the only way tae preserve the MacKenzie line, tae keep the clan from falling intae chaos and the leadership tae remain within family , as he claimed himself tae be. Most of the elders supported him, they feared what would happen if we remained without a strong male leader till a match offer came fer me.”

Constantine could see the political machinery at work, the same calculations that had brought him back to Duart. “But ye didnae agree.”

“I wouldnae be his broodmare.” Fire flashed in her eyes again, and he found himself admiring the steel beneath her beauty.

“He may have fooled the clan intae thinking he cares fer our welfare, but I ken better. Alpin wants power, regardless of the cost. He’d bleed the MacKenzie lands dry tae fund his own ambitions. ”

“So ye ran.”

“When he told me about the marriage, yes. But I fought first.” She met his gaze directly, and he saw the truth of it in her eyes—this was no pampered noble lass who’d fled at the first sign of trouble.

“I tried tae rally support among some loyal clansmen, the ones who remembered me faither’s leadership.

But Alpin had months tae consolidate his position while I was still in mourning. ”

Constantine felt a familiar coldness settle in his chest. An enemy with time to prepare was always the most dangerous kind. “What happened the day ye left?”

Her throat worked as she swallowed hard. “He came tae me chambers with a fancy gown. Said the ceremony would happen that night, willing or nae.” Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “He... he made it clear that me cooperation wasnae required fer the marriage tae be consummated.”

Red crept across Constantine’s vision, and his hands clenched involuntarily. He’d killed men for less, had made sport of hunting down those who preyed on the innocent. The fact that Alpin still drew breath was an oversight he suddenly found himself eager to correct.

He knew full well what marrying Rowena would entail—Alpin would not yield the MacKenzie lairdship without a fight. Their union would drag a conflict into the open. But in that moment, he didn’t care about strategy. All he wanted was to put his blade through the bastard’s throat and be done with it.

“I managed tae slip away during the preparations,” Rowena continued, seemingly unaware of the violence building in the man before her.

“But barely. His men were already stationed around the castle, and I had tae take refuge in the stables until I could steal a horse. And even then, I was nearly caught.”

“And ye’ve been running ever since.”

“Aye.” She straightened, some of her natural poise returning. “Though I’d hardly call it running anymore. I plan tae return and take what’s rightfully mine.”

He studied her face, seeing the determination there alongside the hurt. “What was yer plan while ye stayed here?”

Rowena’s fingers worried at the edge of her cloak. “I had hoped tae send word tae some of me faither’s old alliances—clans that might remember their loyalty tae him and be willing tae help me confront Alpin.”

“From here? Under me faither’s roof?”

“I thought…” She paused, color rising in her cheeks. “I thought perhaps ye might understand, even help, given time. Before taenight, I believed ye might be someone I could trust with the truth.”

The words hit him like a physical blow. Before his father’s announcement had shattered that fragile trust between them.

“And now?”

“Now I dinnae ken what tae believe. And it matters little. Ye asked fer transparency, Constantine. There it is. I’m a displaced heir, being hunted by an usurper, with nay allies left in her homeland. Nae exactly the political advantage ye were hoping fer, I’d wager.”

“Ye think that makes ye weak?”

“Daesnae it?” There was disbelief in her voice.

“A lass who fought two men twice her size and outwitted trained warriors, crossing clan territories alone?” He shook his head slowly, his voice dropping. “Nay, Rowena. That makes ye dangerous.”

Color bloomed high on her cheeks, as if she’d been praised. And perhaps, in his own way, he had praised her.

Something sparked between them then, hot and immediate.

She was looking at him as if seeing him clearly for the first time, and he found himself cataloging every detail of her face—the slight parting of her lips, the way her pupils had dilated, the rapid pulse visible at her throat.

“And what about ye?” Her voice was rougher now, affected. “Ye’ve given me yer terms, but what dae ye truly want from this arrangement?”

The question caught him off guard with its directness. In his years as a mercenary, motivation had been simple—gold, survival, the next contract. But standing here with candlelight painting her skin golden and her scent filling his senses, the answer felt more complex than he was prepared to admit.

“I want what I’ve never had,” he said finally. “Something that’s mine nae by chance.”

“And ye think a marriage tae me could offer ye that?”

He wanted legitimacy, through her name, through her bloodline. A union with the MacKenzie heir would silence the last doubters in his father’s court, and open routes for new alliances beyond Duart’s borders.

If Alpin stood in the way, then so be it. It was a battle Constantine was more than willing to take on.

“Aye.”

“I need time,” she said finally, the words barely audible. They both rose at nearly the same time, and for a moment, the space between them narrowed to inches.

Her shoulder brushed his chest but neither of them stepped away.

“How much?”

“A few days. Tae think, tae... tae be certain.”

The urge to reach out and touch her again, rose without warning, but Constantine schooled it down just as fast.

Now is nae the time fer instincts. ‘Tis a moment fer clarity.

“Then ye’ll have them.”

Relief flickered across her features, followed quickly by something that might have been disappointment. “Just like that?”

“I told ye, lass. I am offering ye an alliance, I willnae force yer hand.” He stepped back, putting necessary distance between them. “But understand this… When ye make yer choice, it’s final. I willnae be played fer a fool.”

She nodded, her composure gradually returning though he could still see the effect of their proximity in the heightened color of her cheeks. “I understand.”

“Good.” He moved toward the door, then paused. “Would ye allow me tae walk ye back tae yer chambers?”

The formality of the request seemed to surprise her. “Why?”

“A lass shouldnae walk these halls alone at night. Especially nae one who’s considering becoming me wife.” He extended his hand and Rowena stared at it for a moment.

Finally, she placed her fingers in his, and the simple contact sending heat racing up his arm.

“Aye,” she said softly. “I’d like that.”

They left the library together, her hand warm in his as they walked through the halls. The castle was settling into its nighttime quiet, people already gone after Niall’s gathering. Only the occasional servant or guard moved through the shadows.

Constantine found himself wondering if he’d just made the smartest decision of his life or sealed his own doom.