Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“ I s that him?” Ava’s question made something tighten in Kai’s chest.

He looked away across the great hall, all decked for Yuletide. There was not a surface that hadn’t been covered in green boughs with pinecones and red and white berries. Any other time, Kai would have loved it. He normally adored this time of year, the happiness, the escape from tragic memories in momentary smiles. But not tonight. He found he wanted to rip all the decorations down from the walls.

Across the hall and through the double doors, some guests were arriving. Dressed in the dark blue tartan colors of the Grant clan, there was little doubt as to who they were. Domhnall stepped forward at once to greet them, as did Laird MacKinnon, Ava’s father. Front and center was a man of clear power.

He was the tallest and most broadly set of all the men who had walked in, a clear warrior. He had even attended with a dress sword at his belt, his dark blue clan colors thrown over his shoulder. His dark hair was streaked with gray, cut as neatly as his clothes had been trimmed.

“Aye, that’s him,” Thora said as she stood on Ava’s other side. “Laird Blair Grant. He’s rather handsome, isnae he?”

“Aye, I suppose he is.” Ava’s answer made Kai turn around fast, seeking out something else to drink, but before his hand could close over a cup of mead on the table nearby, it was nudged out of reach by Domhnall, who had stepped back to let his guest pass. He winked at Kai as he passed, clearly thinking Kai had had enough to drink the night before.

“Are ye ready?” Thora asked, looping her arm with Ava’s. “Come, I’ll take ye over. Me braither can introduce ye.”

“Aye, very well. Me faither will want tae see I am making the effort.” Yet Ava didn’t walk away at once. She fidgeted, adjusting the dark green gown which had been pulled tight across her waist. It emphasized her slim and athletic curves. The voluminous and broad sleeves flashed the tone of her arms too, and her blonde braid had been plaited perfectly behind her hair, decked with gems, so that a few loose strands hung teasingly down by her ears.

“Dinnae fidget,” Kai urged her. “Ye are beautiful as ye are.”

Ava looked at him sharply, though she didn’t smile.

Shock. She’s shocked again.

Before Kai could say anything, even before Ava could adjust her expression, Thora led her away, drawing her through the crowd and toward Laird Blair Grant. Kai couldn’t take his eyes off the pair of them. He watched Ava avidly and didn’t look away, even when Domhnall appeared at his side and elbowed him.

“I still think ye should have said something,” Domhnall urged.

“Ye ken I couldnae.”

Domhnall followed her.

“Ah, may I introduce our other guest of honor ,” Laird Domhnall said with ease as he approached with Ava and Thora. She felt her arm stiffen through Thora’s hold as she gazed at Laird Grant.

Now that she was closer, though he was indeed a handsome man, she also felt something a little terrifying in his appearance. He was so much the warrior, stacked with muscle and girth, it was intimidating. The thing that she liked the least about him though was his indifferent expression. He looked at none of them for longer than a second, his eyes drifting from one to the next in a way that she could only assume was calculating.

“This is Laird MacKinnon’s daughter, Lady Ava.” Laird Domhnall gestured to Ava and she curtsied deeply in greeting.

“I have been looking forward tae this meeting fer some time,” Ava’s father said, not showing any qualms about hiding his eagerness. “Ava, I ken ye have too.”

“Aye, Father,” she lied and smiled up at Laird Grant. She did her best to soften her expression, but Laird Grant barely seemed to notice. He looked away, casting a penetrating glance around the room. “It is indeed a pleasure tae meet ye, me laird. I’ve heard much about ye.” She realized as she was staring up at Laird Grant that in all of Kai’s lessons to her, he hadn’t taught her much about the idea of flirting with words. He had taught her more about physicality, the sensuality of touch. When she remembered the way they had touched, she longed to look for him across the room, but she fought the temptation.

“Thank ye,” Laird Grant said with plain disinterest. He didn’t even look at her as she spoke.

“Well, maybe Ava can show our guest tae his place at the top table?” Finley suggested. Her father’s lack of tact made Domhnall and Thora exchange awkward glances, but if Laird Grant noticed the way Ava was being thrust into his path, he didn’t show it on his face.

“Thank ye,” he said rather woodenly again and gestured for Ava to lead the way.

Ava released Thora and walked across the room. She remembered everything that Kai had said in his lessons. She didn’t walk like a soldier or with such great marching purpose, but gentler, trying to sway her hips a little. As she glanced back, catching the laird’s eye, she smiled, softening her expression as much as possible.

At least now, he is looking at me.

As they reached the top table, Ava gestured to his seat.

“Fer ye, me laird. Me faither and Laird Domhnall were determined ye’d have the place of honor between them tonight. Ye are their special guest.”

“I thank ye fer the kindness,” he said rather woodenly, walking around the chair. Following her instincts, Ava laid a hand on Laird Grant’s arm, her fingers as soft as she could make them. He halted at once, his icy blue eyes darting to meet hers. “I apologize fer me faither’s forwardness. He is correct in that I have been looking forward tae meeting ye. I have heard much about ye, me laird, but I would have rather told ye meself than for him tae say it.” She released his arm and looked down, smiling a little and hoping her expression wasn’t stern or sharp in any way.

All of a sudden, the air seemed to shift between her and Laird Grant. He leaned toward her, prompting her to look up again. He laid a hand to her back, gently but firm enough that she could clearly feel it.

It’s nothing like when Kai touches me.

She tried to shut down the thought fast.

“Sit with me a while,” he whispered. “I’d like the chance tae ken ye better, lass.”

Ava smiled once more and hurried to sit beside him.

“This is absurd,” Kai muttered, once more trying to take a cup of mead to drink though Domhnall swept it away before he could and drank it himself. “Ye have tae let me have one drink.”

“Nay, ye need yer senses about ye tonight. We cannae have ye losing control when the woman ye love is making eyes at another.”

“Domhnall!” Kai hissed, wishing his brother would hold his tongue and be quieter. Domhnall just shrugged innocently. “I cannae stand this. Look at them.” Kai waved a mad hand at Laird Grant and Ava together at the top table. “I have tae stop this.”

“Why? Ye agreed it was fer the best. Ye said as much last night, Kai.”

“He showed nay interest in her when she entered the room. Yet now? Look at him.” Kai gestured at their position and the way Laird Grant and Ava were leaning toward one another. Ava was looking at him with soft eyes as he spoke to her smiling. It made Kai ache to be back in the kitchen with her, when she had offered him such a teasing touch.

“Maybe he is being charmed by her,” Domhnall explained. “Ye have been giving her seduction lessons, after all.”

“Or maybe he sees an opportunity tae ally himself tae two powerful clans.”

“Once again, ye agreed this was for the best,” Domhnall said in a tired sort of sing song voice. “Ye cannae just stand here watching the two of them all night.”

“Ye’re right.” A red-hot spark spiked in Kai as he saw Laird Grant’s hand drop below the table. From the way Ava’s lips parted in shock, he had just rested a hand on her thigh. “Better yet, I should go introduce meself tae Laird Grant as well.”

“Kai,” Domhnall hissed but Kai was too quick for him. He slipped away with ease, darting through the crowds. So many people had gathered for the Yuletide celebrations that there were many between him and the top table. Men and women danced, as others sat around on tables, gorging themselves on roasted hog and chickens that had been stuffed back into their feathers after cooking. Kai slipped between and was soon so near to the top table that Ava caught sight of him.

She turned to look at him, her eyes widening briefly in what was clearly a warning.

She doesnae want me here.

Yet the anger was unbearable now. Kai had to separate the two of them.

“Kai?” It was Laird Finley MacKinnon’s voice. Kai tried to ignore him, but he couldn’t. Laird MacKinnon caught him just beneath the top table and took hold of his arm, steering him away. “Kai, I must speak tae ye.”

“Me laird, cannae it wait?” Kai tried to look back at Ava, but her father had surprising strength for an aging man. He had Kai’s bicep in a vice-like grip and steered him away fast, giving him no choice but to follow at his heel. “I was going tae introduce meself tae Laird Grant.”

“I could see what ye were about tae dae.” Laird MacKinnon only released him as they reached a table on the far side. “Sit.” Kai could sense the anger at once, the air crackling around the laird. Deciding it was not the time to test the laird’s patience, Kai sat down, as Laird MacKinnon sat beside him. “Now, listen tae me laddie. I’m well aware ye are protective of me daughter. Ye two have been friends fer years although I dinnae approve of ye as her dearest friend.”

“Me laird–”

“I’m nae finished, dinnae interrupt me.” Laird MacKinnon’s face stiffened into something unrelentingly hard and austere. Kai could see why Laird MacKinnon had kept such a tight hold on his clan for so long. To the casual eye, he might have seemed like a soft and loving laird, but he had steel in him when it was needed. “Ye’re friends, so I have tae accept her being so close tae a man who uses women as if they are nothing and throws them away in the morning.”

“That is nae what I dae…” Kai trailed off. Laird MacKinnon’s expression was enough to silence him.

“I willnae have a rogue like yerself interrupting them,” Laird MacKinnon was stern. “Ye leave her tae it, ye understand, Kai? Ye willnae cause trouble now.”

Kai could feel anger. It ebbed and flowed from Laird MacKinnon’s being. He’d been well aware over the years that he was not Laird MacKinnon’s favorite person, but this was beyond what he had been expecting.

He had to do something to diffuse the anger at once. Not often did Kai use his ability to persuade, even manipulate, those close to him. He used such a knack for enemies and spies, but now, he had no choice.

“Me laird,” he said deferentially, inclining his head to show due respect, while placing a hand on his shoulder at the same time, for they had known each other for many years. “I am sorry ye think so ill of me. Truly. If ye dinnae wish me tae go near Ava tonight, then I will of course keep me distance. I would never dishonor ye or yer family by disobeying yer ask of me.” His words made Laird MacKinnon sit bolt straight in surprise. “I merely wanted tae check on her, because she is me friend. I would never wish tae see her hurt. “I shall take a turn outside instead, if ye like. I’ll keep me word, me laird. I willnae go near her.”

“Thank ye.” Laird MacKinnon cleared his throat, apparently struggling to move past his surprise so fast. “Aye, thank ye fer understanding. Ye dae sometimes surprise me, Kai.”

“I hope they continue tae be good surprises rather than bad ones.” Kai stood, deciding it was time to extricate himself from this situation before their conversation could turn sour again. “Enjoy yer evening, me laird.”

Kai hurried away as quickly as he could. He cast a quick glance toward Ava at the top table, only to see that Laird Grant was no longer beside her. She was talking to Katherine instead, but he could not approach her without breaking his word. Instead, he made his way to the exit of the hall. Hurrying through the passageway, he aimed for a door in the back of the castle that led into a courtyard.

He stepped out and breathed in the cold air, the shock of the ice around him making his bones shiver. He prayed the chill would lighten the anger in him, but all it did was make him crave being in Ava’s company, maybe hold her to keep warm.

“Ye sure about this, me laird?” The voice made Kai whip around. It was an accent from the west coast of Scotland. Kai turned to see two shadows walking across the courtyard. He couldn’t see their faces for they were hidden walking behind a large bush.

“Aye, I am.” It was Laird Grant’s voice.

Not wanting to be seen, Kai moved to hide behind a great statue of the last Laird of the MacLeods. He froze, pressing his back against the cold stone and straining to listen to Laird Grant and his advisor, whose name Kai couldn’t remember for the life of him.

“She isnae the sort of woman ye usually choose tae bed.”

“Nay, she isnae.” Laird Grant’s voice was calm. “Lady Ava is rather different, but as me wife, I wouldnae have tae take her tae bed too many times. I could settle me appetites elsewhere. She may nae be tae me tastes, but she comes from a powerful clan, if impoverished. Look where we are, Peters,” he said to his advisor. “The MacKinnons are good friends with the MacLeods too. If I marry Ava, then I make both clans me allies. Aye, it could be too good an opportunity tae miss.”

Kai felt sick. He thought for one minute he might see his dinner again, but he clutched to his stomach, holding it down.

To Ava, it might not matter that Laird Grant would only marry her for an alliance. After all, she didn’t care for him either.

“I’ll ask her faither fer permission tae visit her at her castle tonight. Then I’ll make the journey tae see her in a few days.” Laird Grant spoke purposefully, clearly showing he had already made up his mind. “It shouldnae be difficult tae persuade the lass intae me bed. She seems desperate enough tae get in there. And then she’ll have tae marry me.”

As Laird Grant’s voice disappeared, Kai bent down behind the statue. It was as if he had just cracked a rib for the pain he felt in his chest.