Chapter 27
"The healer, Killian? Surely ye jest," Alan said as the lively melody played by the fiddles and flutes lingered in the air. The ceilidh pulsed with a joyous energy that was no doubt caused by Killian's announcement.
"She has a talent that this clan could utilize," Killian defended as he watched his guests dance about the terrace as the music played on.
"Are ye sure we're talkin' about the same talent?
She's a healer, aye, but do ye nae already have one?
Or are ye sayin' Elsie isnae as skilled as Leah?
" Alan challenged, his voice barely rising over the merriment that surrounded them.
"She doesnae have the backbone that is required of the Lady MacMillan.
I understand that Sean may have brought her to yer attention.
But how could there be anythin' between the two of ye? Ye barely ken the lass."
"I could say the same about yer daughter," Killian answered as he glanced at Abigale.
While she was a sight to behold, she wasn't Leah.
None of the women who had attended could stand beside Leah.
Leah was far too bright and demanded respect in a way that wasn't overwhelming or domineering but tender and kind.
She was like the warm summer sun casting a glow on the land and restoring it to its former glory.
While the other ladies were attractive, all seemed to be stars compared to the likeness of the sun.
"Ye've ken her a lot longer than ye've ken Leah," Alan contested. "I've brought Abigale on many occasions here to the castle. She's been yer playmate since ye were a young lad."
"Now ye’re lyin' and we both ken it," Killian hissed through clenched teeth. "Me faither wouldnae allow such things."
"Which is why he never kenned when she came to the castle. It was always in secret. I'm nae makin' excuses for yer faither, but I'm simply sayin' ye ken more about me daughter than ye do the outsider."
Killian straightened as he flexed his jaw. "Leah is more than a healer and she'll do a fine job as the Lady MacMillan. She is the lass I've chosen and I'll nae be changin' me mind."
Speaking with such authority, Killian made sure there was no room for question or doubt. He watched as Alan's eye twitched from irritation. It was clear to Killian that Alan was far from pleased with his choice to have Leah as his wife.
"Is there somethin' else on the matter ye'd like to discuss?" Killian asked.
"Ye ken I have been nothin' but yer friend all these years.
I have practically raised ye to be the man ye are without yer faither's influence on ye.
I just daenae understand why ye think that healer will serve ye better than someone who has ken ye since ye were a lad; someone who has grown with ye. "
"I daenae ken Abigale any more than I ken Sophia or Rachel. But I do ken Leah. Or have ye forgotten that Sean brought her to me so that she could tend to me brother?"
"I've seen her care for Mason, and I also ken yer brother has a soft spot in his heart for the lass. But that doesnae mean that she can help ye run this clan," Alan protested.
"I've said all I'm goin' to say about the matter.
The council requested that I find a wife.
Ye never mentioned rules that the lady had to be within the clan.
Leah may nae have grown up here, but she belongs here," Killian said with such conviction in his heart that he found himself longing to be by her side.
"I'll nae have ye comin' against her. She's already proved herself to Fraser, I'll nae have her go through some test with ye as well. "
Alan's frown shifted as his bushy eyebrow arched. "What suspicions does Fraser have with the healer?"
"None. He has sorted through those and I suggest ye do the same. I've made me choice. And as lovely as yer daughter is, me heart belongs to Leah." As Killian let the lie drip from his lips like honey, he found the vow to stick to him as sap on a feather.
The words were truer than anything he had ever proclaimed before. Yet, at the forefront of his mind, Killian was hyper-aware of the situation he found himself in. Leah was now his betrothed. She was the lass he wanted, so how was he going to bid her farewell when all he wanted was for her to stay?
"But think of the alliances ye could make, the families ye could unite. Right now ye have the chance to strengthen yer line, nae squander it—"
"On a lass who tends to the sick? Ye’re missin' the point. Leah has a heart that heals more than just wounds and injuries. It goes beyond bodily harm. She brings hope to the clan. Every man that has gone down to see her has nothin' but kind words for her."
Alan tilted his head as he let out a hearty chuckle. "Do ye nae hear yerself? Yer tellin' me that the clan has gone to see yer bride to be, and how she services them? What do they do down there in the infirmary?"
Killian's eyes narrowed as he curled his fingers around the hilt of his dirk. "I'd be careful what ye say next. I have ken ye a long time and I wouldnae want ye to soil our relationship with somethin' ye really daenae mean."
"Me laird," Alan said as Killian watched as Alan Adam's apple bobbed in Alan's throat. "I mean nay disrespect. Have I nae always been on yer side? I'm just tryin' to steer ye away from a bad mistake, that is all."
"Aye, I'm sure ye are. But ye'll nae talk about Leah like that, do ye understand?" Killian asked as he noticed Abigale flinching the moment Killian threatened her father.
"Of course," Alan conceded as Killian spotted Fraser at the edge of the dance floor. Fraser's somber expression caught Killian's eye. Relaxing his grip, Killian side-stepped Alan and, without another word, made a beeline right for Fraser.
There was no need for small talk. Killian could read Fraser like an open book. The moment Killian reached Fraser, they started for the side door of the castle. In silence, they walked until their boots echoed and bounced off the hollowed halls of the dungeons.
The air of the dungeons clung to Killian's skin like a shroud as he descended the steps. The echo of his boots reverberated in the darkness, and the flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls, illuminating the damp stone walls.
The smell of mold and iron hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood. Each step felt heavier than the last, an unsettling weight settling deep in Killian's bones.
"Laird MacMillan," Fraser said, his voice icy as he opened the door to the cells. "We've questioned the assassin and I thought ye might want to hear for yerself what the man has to say."
Intrigued, Killian glanced at Fraser, hunting for some sign of disbelief.
Fraser's stony face gave nothing away. Pulling in a deep breath, Killian turned his attention to the man tied to the chair in the center of the cell.
The assassin's eyes were wild and bloodshot as they flickered up to meet his gaze.
There was a faint hint of fear cutting through the haze of the assassin's bravado.
"Who does he work for?" Killian asked Fraser as he studied his prisoner.
"We've nae got that out of him," Fraser answered. "We thought ye might want to try."
The tension in Killian's shoulders tightened. It was his father's voice he heard every time he had to face the monster within him. How many men had Killian broken already? How many more would he have to go through before he could find peace?
"I see," Killian answered as he stretched his hand expectedly. He didn't have to glance at Fraser before the keys to the cell dropped into Killian's open palm. "Then I shall rectify that."
"Ye daenae scare me, highlander. Jingle those keys. They're nothin' but a melody to me ears."
"Do ye really believe yer silence will protect ye?" Killian pressed as he leaned forward. There was a fire of determination kindled within him. "Tell me who sent ye and perhaps I'll be lenient on ye."
The man's blue eyes shifted to Fraser before returning to Killian. For a moment, it seemed as if the tension mounting in the room would cause the assassin to crack. It was the assassin's croaky laugh that caught Killian by surprise.
"Ye really thought ye could intimidate me?
That was funny. Ye cannae intimidate someone who has nothin' to lose.
And I've got nothin'. Yer faither made certain of that," the man said through gritted teeth.
Through the defiance and hatred, Killian could see the decades of pain that clouded the man's view.
"If ye'll nae talk, then I have nay reason to keep ye around," Killian said as he tucked the keys into his sporran. "Fraser, see that he doesnae miss his meetin' with the gallows."
Killian turned and started for the doorway.
His ears itched for some pleading or begging as he handed the key to the cell back to Fraser.
When no pleas or begging tickled his ears, Killian made no show of the silence.
He marched on, and the assassin would die one way or another.
How he chose to go was the only thing he had left to figure out.
"Wait," the assassin pleaded as Killian heard the door to the cell rattle open. Killian slowed but didn't stop. With his patience growing thin, he waited for the assassin to give him more. "There's one name I can give ye, but I'll only give it for a life."
"I'm listenin'," Killian heard Fraser say as Killian paused on the steps.
"Swear to me that I'll go free first," the man negotiated, his voice bending with emotion.
"Now that depends on the name and the information ye give me," Fraser said as Killian's ears itched for more.
"There is but one name, Mason," the assassin said. "He's the one with the deep pockets. But I've never actually seen the man face to face."
"How convenient. Ye give the name of the laird's brother, do ye think us a fool?" Fraser demanded as the sound of bones crunching echoed through the dungeon.
"I swear, he's the one who has been fundin' us," the man said. Killian tiptoed back down the steps, far too intrigued to know what to say or do. With limited information, Killian wasn't sure if the information could be believed at all.
"Us?" Fraser asked as Killian caught Fraser's eye.
"There have been previous attempts, have there nae? And there will be more as long as the funds continue to flow," the man said. "But I… I can be the inside man for ye. Aye, I could get to ken everyone involved here, if ye just spare me life."
Rolling his eyes, Killian knew that was all he was going to get from the assassin.
"Say the word and I'll arrest yer brother," Fraser said.
"It would be better if I do it," Killian huffed. "Although, I daenae see the threat. He's feeble and nay real threat to me."
"He's got supporters," Fraser pointed out as he nudged his head to the cell. "That's dangerous. Where is yer brother?"
"He's…" Killian paused a moment as his first thought jumped to the infirmary. But that wasn't right. The last place he'd seen Mason was out on the terrace. In the garden, he was with… "Leah."
"What?" Fraser asked, his voice no higher than a whisper. Panic shot through Killian. With no time to explain, Killian darted up the steps and back outside. He moved through the crowd like a phantom, only to find that the bench Mason had brought Leah was empty.
Nay. Where are ye, ye devil?
"Killian? Is somethin' wrong? Ye’re lookin' a bit pale. Should I fetch Elsie?" Alan asked, his tone a bit higher than Killian was used to. Shaking his head, Killian charged for the stables.
As Killian turned the corner of the stable, he spotted Mason dragging Leah by the arms. The sight nearly sent Killian into a mad rage.
"What on God's green earth are ye doin'?" Killian demanded as he struggled to come to grips with what his eyes were witnessing.
"Ye daenae deserve her," Mason snapped as he fumbled into the closed door of the stall.
"And ye think ye do? Since when do ye resort to kidnappin'? This isnae like ye brother. Let Leah go, and we can talk through this," Killian encouraged as he wondered if Mason would draw his blade.
"What do ye ken? Nothin'," Mason fired as he kept Leah's limp body between them. Killian tried to find some opening to use to get Leah back, but Mason was clever and blocked each move he saw.
"I ken more than ye possibly could comprehend. Now let Leah go, I'll nae tell ye again," Killian warned as his fingers curled around the hilt of his dirk.
"What in the…" Leah mumbled as she slowly came to. She tossed about, stunning Mason, who had been far too feeble to stop Leah from fleeing him.
"Nay," Mason cried out as Killian rushed to Leah's side and used his body to shield her from his brother. "This isnae fair. Ye shouldnae be the laird. I should. The clan will rise against ye and when they do, it will be I who will have the last word, brother. I will end ye like the monster ye are."
"Killian?" Leah's voice was weak and raspy. Her eyes rolled back as she tried to quench her parched mouth.
"Aye, I'm here."
"Mason…"
"I ken, ye need nae worry yerself about him any more," Killian asked as he scooped Leah up and cradled her to his chest. "I'll protect ye. Ye have me word."
"Mason?" Leah whispered as her eyes fluttered open. Mason cowered in the corner, nibbling on the tips of his nails.
"Pay nay heed to him. He'll be in the dungeons from here on out," Killian said as soldiers gathered around to ensure Mason couldn't escape.
"This isnae over," Mason called as Killian's men dragged him to the dungeons.
"Aye," Killian said as he brushed away the loose strands of hair from Leah. "It is."