Page 41 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Sloan

Stunned, Sloan couldn’t move, frozen as his father plunged the sword into Rinaldo’s belly. Sloan moved Eva behind him, but Logan brought his horse over after sending Magni up to the curtain wall, and Lennox tossed his sister up onto the massive stallion behind Logan.

Weapons were drawn around the courtyard. A whistle from Connor brought two score of guards rushing through the gates along with Sloan’s men who went after the paltry group Rinaldo had assembled. The battle was on.

But Sloan couldn’t let it end so easily. His brother fell to his knees, his hands gripping the sword. The dying man stared up at his father. “Da, why? You always liked me better.” His brother had reverted to his childish voice, the one he’d used on them for so many years.

But something broke inside Sloan. The secrets that had just been revealed overpowered his thinking. He grabbed his brother’s tunic and pulled him to his feet, the sword still embedded deep in his belly. He had to know before his brother took his last breath. “You’re the one who wished to attack Dun Ara? You’ve planned this for moons? My own flesh and blood? And you poisoned everyone at Duart Castle so the bairns could be stolen away? Just to take over the castle? And you and Alycia killed Gormal? Why do you hate me so?”

“I did it all, and I’d do it again.” Rinaldo tried to spit at him but couldn’t get the breath to do it. “I hate you …”

Their father grabbed Rinaldo from Sloan, held him up enough to spit in his face, then said, “This is how you deal with traitors! My own son is a traitor. I deny you, Rinaldo!” Dermot dropped him to the ground and yanked the sword out, only to plunge it deep into the man’s chest, Rinaldo gurgling before his eyes closed. “I deny you and your wife and son.”

The battle ended a short time later, so Eva jumped off Logan’s horse and ran to Sloan, hugging him tight. “I’m so sorry, Sloan.”

Sloan couldn’t speak. He held onto Eva with such a force that he feared he’d hurt her. Lennox and Miles came along and ushered him inside, Eva with him, while Magni took care of their horse. The two settled him at his desk in his solar, then got him a goblet filled with the amber brew. Miles stepped out as soon as Dermot came inside.

“Miles, throw my son’s body in the water. Or find a faraway spot to leave him to the animals. He doesn’t deserve a decent burial.”

“Aye, Chief.”

Dermot said, “Nay, I’m not your chieftain any longer. Sloan is the only chieftain here, and he is a damn good one.”

Miles left and Dermot stayed. Still stunned by all that had taken place, Sloan didn’t know what to say to his father. He could hear the tears of both sisters in the hall, but he couldn’t move.

Their brother was dead. Somehow, he felt responsible, but he knew that in some twisted way, it was Rinaldo’s fault.

His father took a chair opposite his remaining son. Lennox gave him a goblet of the fine brew, and the older man threw it down with one gulp. It was a long time before anyone spoke, and finally Sloan brought his gaze up to his father’s. “Did you know, Da?”

“Nay. He fooled me.” He poured himself another swig of brew and said, “I just wish to say that I’ve never been prouder of you, Sloan.”

“Why? My own brother hated me.”

“Och, Ailis would tell you the lad was never right in his head. He was always off, killing animals with a smile, playing tricks on his sisters that you would never do. I tried to make up for any mistakes I might have made, but when I watched him out there, I knew the evil was deep inside him. And after causing all that tragedy, there was only one solution. It was right that it was at my hand. I created him.”

His father hung his head, but then said, “But I’ve never been so proud of you. You did the right thing not drawing your sword. And you made the correct choice following Eva to MacQuarie land and making all the allies you have. Why, there were more Grant and Ramsay and MacVey guards around than our own. And then you brought MacQuaries with you. And when the renowned Logan Ramsay came on his stallion to back you up? I’ve never been prouder. Well done, Sloan.” He held his head in his hands. “I don’t know why I’ve been so blind to everything.”

Eva stood right outside the door, not wanting to interrupt, yet she hated to walk away from Sloan. He’d never deserted her during her troubled times, so she wouldn’t leave him.

“My thanks, Da.” Then Sloan stood and held out his arm, so Eva walked to his side and he tucked her in tight.

Dermot grinned and said, “And you’ve chosen well. She put that big bitch down flat faster than I’ve seen anyone go down. I’m banning that woman from the entire Isle of Mull, she and her son. You’ll not have to do that, Sloan. I’ll do it. I’ll have them on a boat on the morrow. My apologies, Eva, for any pain Rinaldo caused you.”

Eva kissed Sloan’s cheek. “I love your son, Dermot. It took me a long time to figure it out, so I was not about to allow anyone to stop our love.”

“Looking at you two gives me hope. Getting married on the morrow?”

Eva said, “Nay, I think I need to tell my mother first.”

Dermot waggled his brow and said, “Och, sweet Rut.” Then he left.

Sloan and Eva just stared at each other, slack-jawed.