Page 40 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Eva

The group traveled back to the opposite side of the isle the next day, one group heading to Duart Castle and the other toward Dun Ara Castle. Connor, Alasdair, and Thane had come along in case there was any truth to Sylvi’s prediction.

“Do you wish to stop and see your mother, lass?”

“Nay, Tamsin gave me enough clothes, and I’m sure Lennox is on your land. I wish to be there for you if there is an attack.” Then she patted the bag tied to her saddle. “I have my axes.”

Sloan said, “Off we go.”

Connor came abreast of the two. “I’m to meet Logan on your land. He was bringing Magni with him.”

Sloan said, “I have to say I love seeing Magni with his new adopted grandsire.”

“Logan wants to find out the truth about Magni’s sire. What think you about this man K who got away?”

Eva said, “K definitely got away. I think he was the one who operates from Kilchoan.”

Sloan agreed with a nod. “He’s the one in charge, so they say. They’re all afraid of him. It all fits with what Lia learned at Drimnin with Lennox.”

Connor nearly snorted. “Neither Logan nor I are afraid of a cruel man at Kilchoan.”

They moved ahead, Connor bringing a score of Grant guards with him. Sloan had left without any of his guards because he’d followed Eva.

“Sloan, you’ll tell me if you see anything unusual?”

Sloan glanced over at her and said, “Do not worry. I’ll protect you forever, Eva. No one will hurt you.”

She wasn’t worried about herself. “But I don’t want you hurt either.”

Connor laughed and Thane said, “I wouldn’t worry about Sloan, Eva. After the way he tore across that clearing and lifted D like he was the size of a squirrel and pummeled him, no one’s going to hurt either of you.”

“But the prediction? Do you all believe it?” Eva asked. “It was Sylvi’s comment about the alleged attack, was it not?”

“Aye, but I’m still doubtful,” Sloan said.

“You believe Tora after that hint about the orchard, do you not? The lass was correct, Rankin,” Connor said.

“She was. Who is left to attack my castle? We just took out five of the evilest men around. Who is left beside K? He’s going to have to reassess and get more men. If there is any truth to it, he’ll have to delay his plans.”

Eva said, “I hope you’re right. I’ve had enough battle for a time.”

Sloan moved his horse closer to Eva’s as a few horses approached them. She recognized the first to be Logan with Magni in front of him, and the two behind him were Lennox and Miles.

Logan stopped and Sloan moved ahead of Eva’s horse, but she could still hear everything. “All is well with you?”

“Aye, more than well,” Sloan said.

“How many did you take out?”

Thane said, “Odart, along with his two friends, and the man who attacked Eva will never attack another, thanks to Sloan and Eva.”

Lennox said, “I’d like to hear those details.”

“We’ll fill you in over an ale,” Sloan said. “But first, please apprise me of all that has happened in my absence. Is there any truth to the attack?”

Logan said, “I have a score of men planted in various locations, all checking for anything different. Nothing seen yet except for a big ship readying to leave Kilchoan, at least I think it’s loaded with men.”

Lennox said, “We have seen a few men about who we don’t recognize. I’ve sent them away, but your brother has been uncontrollable in the courtyard. Your sire is there with both of your sisters, trying to calm him. He’s afraid you’ve been hurt. But …”

“But what?”

“Sloan, he’s doing his best to act like the usual Rinaldo, but he’s different. I can feel it, yet I can’t explain it. Go see him for yourself.”

Logan said, “Do not trust him, Rankin. He’s a liar.”

“Rinaldo? I doubt it, but I’ll go see what he is doing.” He reached for Eva’s hand, but then said, “Eva, I do not want you next to me. I have a sudden inkling too.”

“Eva, what’s this? You’ve had a change of heart?” Lennox asked, wide-eyed.

“Aye, I’ll explain later, brother dearest. Let Sloan see to Rinaldo.”

“Meg is inside on the steps of the keep. You can sit with her, but if things get rough for whatever reason, the two of you should go up on the parapets.”

Sloan said, “I think that’s wise.”

They approached the gates, and Eva was surprised to see they were closed.

Rinaldo’s voice carried to them. “Where is my dearest brother? I’m so worried, Da. I hope he’s unhurt. I don’t want anything to happen to him. What will I ever do if I lose him?”

Dermot Rankin said, “Please end the sniveling, Rinaldo. We’ve all heard enough. He’ll be here soon. Sloan is a fierce chieftain who has many duties. He’ll be here as soon as he can.”

The group entered through the gates and headed toward the stables where they dismounted, everyone except Logan and Magni.

Sloan escorted Eva over to the steps where she took a seat next to Meg. As soon as she did, Alycia came from around the side of the building and sat next to her while Sloan approached his brother.

“What are you doing here, Alycia?”

“I wished to watch the show,” she said, smiling.

Eva frowned, wondering what she meant by that comment. She opened her mouth to ask her friend more, but Dermot yelled at Sloan, so she turned back to watch the activities between poor Sloan and his brother.

“I heard you had some pressing issues, but there are issues at home too. I’m worried. I don’t like that ship out there. Do you not realize you belong here? We’ve all had to listen to Rinaldo’s whining all day.” Dermot looked worn and confused, and Eva’s heart softened for the man she loved.

But Sloan didn’t lose his temper, staying calm. “Da, I had business to attend to. Rinaldo, I’m here. Calm yourself. Go get Da an ale.”

A collective gasp erupted from the group of onlookers when Rinaldo pulled his sword out and said, “Shut your mouth, Sloan. You’ll not be telling me what to do again.”

Eva had never heard Rinaldo speak in that tone.

His brother continued, “I’ve lived a poor life because you were born first. I am the smarter one, the wiser one. No one respects you, and all your men would prefer to have me as chieftain. Take out your sword so we can end this. I could lock you in a cell, but I’d prefer to see you dead.”

Rinaldo held his sword in front of him as if he were about to attack Sloan while a small group of men came in from the now open gates to stand behind Rinaldo. Eva didn’t like this turn of events one bit. She stood and reached for Meg, the two heading for the staircase to the parapets, but Eva never made it.

Someone grabbed her by the hair and tugged her back. “You aren’t leaving. You’ll stay for your just due.” Alycia set a dagger to her neck.

“Alycia? What the hell is going on?”

Rinaldo said, “I’ll tell you. I love Alycia and she loves me. We deserve to be in charge, and our son should be heir to the castle. But Sloan won’t go away. We tried to get rid of his chance of marrying by shoving Gormal over the cliff, but nay. Then he had to fall in love with you, Eva. We tried to sully your reputation, but Sloan would not give up on you, so you forced us to take action. There will be no lads coming from Sloan’s loins at all. I’ve had enough of your games, Sloan. I’ve been planning this for a long time, and you’ll not stop me.”

Sloan stepped back, nearly running into their sire. “You? It was your fault Eva was attacked? And you killed Gormal? Rinaldo, you’ve lost your mind.”

“I didn’t kill Gormal, Alycia did. I am innocent, and I deserve to be chieftain. Draw your weapon.”

Logan rode forward on his horse, nodding something to Connor who hurried through the gates. Then Logan interrupted. “Innocent, Rinaldo? Hardly. You’re a lying bastard. I saw you at Duart Castle that night. You’re the one who poisoned all of us. You and your sweet little girlfriend were the ones who served the goblets of ale and wine, are you not?”

Rinaldo challenged Logan, his eyes black with fury. “Aye, we did. I let the men in the tunnel and helped with the boats. I wanted everyone in Duart Castle dead, but we clearly did not give you enough poison. Why? Because I needed coin. My brother never gave me enough to use as I wish, so I traded the faery and the lad for extra forces. A boat just came from Kilchoan full of men who will fight for me. They are all here now to assist me in this endeavor. Any guard who stands behind you, dear brother, will be slain. Any who choose to stand with me will be well rewarded.”

Logan laughed, something that made Rinaldo even angrier, if possible. “I don’t fear you, Ramsay.”

“You should, laddie,” Logan drawled. “Whenever you see me coming, you should run the other way.”

Alycia said, “Rinaldo is doing what’s best for the clan, and I was honored to assist him. Rinaldo is smarter than all of you. He’s going to be chieftain, and I will be his wife. Our son will be heir to Dun Ara.” She yanked on Eva’s hair again. But then she whispered in her ear, “I even sent Dante just to hurt you. You are such a fool, Eva.”

“Why, Alycia? What have I done to you?”

“Because you’re so spoiled. You were given everything, just like Sloan. You have all the servants wait on you. Well, you’ll be kissing my feet if you wish to live. Kill him, Rinaldo. Do it now. We need to end this.”

Rinaldo growled, “Draw your sword, Sloan.”

Sloan shook his head. “Rinaldo, you’re my brother. I’m not going to kill you.” His sisters stood off to the side, gripping each other tightly.

“Rinaldo, please stop this insanity,” Marta cried. “Sloan can’t kill you.”

“I can,” Eva said, stomping on Alycia’s foot, causing her to scream, then she put her fist into Alycia’s face, knocking her to the ground. Yanking her axe out, she raced toward Rinaldo.

Sloan caught her by the waist, stopping her. “Nay. We’re not going to kill my brother. There’s a better way.”

To everyone’s surprise, Dermot took Sloan’s sword from its sheath and said, “You don’t have to, Sloan. I should be the one to kill him. I created the evil seed.”