Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The door slammed shut with enough force to rattle the weapons mounted on the stone walls.
“Wedding?” Calum MacKinnon’s voice carried equal parts disbelief and delight. “Tomorrow morning? And ye were planning tae tell us when, exactly? After the vows?”
Euan had barely made it halfway to his chambers when his Covenant brothers had materialized from the shadows like avenging spirits, herding him into the dimly lit war room with the efficiency of men who’d been coordinating ambushes since childhood.
Now they stood between him and the door—three warriors who’d survived hell together and weren’t about to let him face that decision alone.
“I was going tae tell ye.” Euan moved to the sideboard, pouring whisky with hands that remained perfectly steady despite the weight of their scrutiny. “Ye’re standing witness, after all.”
“How generous.” David MacDonald said, his tone holding more amusement than censure. “We get tae watch ye bind yerself tae Keith MacKenzie’s daughter without any prior discussion about whether this is strategically sound.”
“The strategy is sound enough,” Euan said, passing cups to each of them. “Keith’s forces are a few days out. A marriage alliance removes any pretense that Moyra’s a hostage and gives us legitimate grounds fer crown support when he attacks.”
Archibald MacRae rumbled from where he’d positioned himself against the wall. “We’re nae questioning the timing. We saw this coming since we met her.”
“Did ye now?” Euan took a long swallow of whisky.
“We’re nae blind, braither,” Calum said grinning.
David leaned against the table, his sharp gaze steady on Euan. “So here’s what we need tae ken—are ye rushing because Keith’s approaching, or because ye actually want tae?”
The question hung in the air. Euan could have deflected, could have hidden behind strategy and duty as he’d done all his life. But these men were his brothers. They had bled beside him. If anyone deserved the truth, it was them.
“Both,” Euan said finally, meeting each of their gazes in turn.
“I’ll nae lie tae ye—nae after everything we’ve been through taegether.
Aye, I want her. I’ve wanted her since I brought her home.
But that daesnae change the fact that this marriage is the right strategic move, yet I never would’ve forced her. ”
“Good.” Archibald’s bluntness was legendary among the Covenant. “Because if ye were only daeing this fer strategy, we’d have tae knock some sense intae ye. The lass deserves better than a marriage of pure convenience.”
“And she’s chosen ye,” Calum added. “Despite having every reason tae hate MacLeods. That says something.”
“Aye, but she’s still a MacKenzie,” David said carefully. “Keith’s blood runs in her veins.”
“She’s nae her faither,” Euan said quietly.
“We ken that.” David’s voice carried certainty. “We’ve seen who she is. The way she organized refugees, how she stands up tae yer Council. She’s got spine.”
Euan felt some of the tension ease from his shoulders. “So ye’re nae here tae talk me out of it?”
“Talk ye out of marrying a clever, brave woman who makes ye smile?” Calum’s grin widened. “We’re nae that foolish. We’re here tae make sure ye ken what ye’re getting intae.”
“Which brings us back tae Keith,” David said, his voice turning grim. “He’ll use this marriage as justification fer war. Ye ken that, aye?”
“I’m counting on it.” Euan’s voice hardened. “Better he attacks us while we’re prepared and have legitimate grounds fer crown support, than have him picking us apart village by village.”
“And yer feelings fer the lass?” Archibald asked. “Those willnae complicate things when the fighting starts?”
“They’ll make me fight harder.” Euan met his gaze steadily. “I’ll nae apologize fer wanting something—someone—beyond duty and responsibility.”
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the crack of the fire. Then Calum’s face broke into a crooked grin. “Ye’ve got it bad.”
“I ken that.”
“Then we’ll stand with ye,” David said simply. “As we always have.”
“Besides,” Calum added, clapping Euan’s shoulder, “someone needs tae witness this wedding. Might as well be us.” He paused, his expression turning serious. “But Euan? Dinnae let yer feelings fer her make ye careless in battle. Keith will try tae use her against ye.”
“I ken the risks.” Euan met each of their gazes steadily. “And I’m daeing this anyway.”
“Good.” Archibald moved toward the door, then paused. “So what’s yer plan fer when Keith inevitably attacks?”
“The same plan we’ve always had.” Euan straightened to his full height. “We defend what’s ours. We protect our people. And we show Keith MacKenzie that his daughter chose us fer a reason—because we’re stronger together than we ever were apart.”
“Now that’s the Euan we ken,” David said with approval.
They filed out, their voices rising in discussion of defense strategies, leaving Euan alone with the dying fire and his tumultuous thoughts. Tomorrow, he’d marry Moyra MacKenzie.
And he couldn’t wait.