Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Aedan stared at Lachlan Ross and felt true hatred stirring in his heart. The man who had nearly destroyed his clan and left it destitute with his machinations, and who had attempted to take Thora. Even if she was not his wife, he not only cared for her deeply but she was also her own woman, and he knew that Lachlan Ross would have claimed her, with or without her consent.

And that Lachlan Ross would have betrayed him and sent his warriors against him, regardless of their alliance. The man was a snake, through and through. Aedan wasn’t sure he would even heed the commands of a king. Far more likely, he’d try to find a way around them.

Aedan was no longer certain he was willing to wait for honorable and peaceful means.

Lachlan laughed. “Ye’re outnumbered and outmatched, Laird Cameron. But if ye leave the lass with me and swear yer fealty, then I might let ye live.”

“I’m nae of a mind tae dae either.” Aedan growled the words.

“Then ye’ll die here.” Lachlan raised his blade, and his men began to close in around them.

Aedan looked around and tried to count his opponents, but there were too many and they were moving too quickly to be able to do so. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, the twinge of anxiety at realizing all odds were against him being diffused by the intense rage bubbling up from inside of him.

He struck out his arm and started turning on the spot, observing each and every man that was threatening him. His heart was beating fast but he was determined to save Thora from that man and to avenge his clan. He then raised his sword when he saw one of the men preparing to strike.

Just then, the sound of pounding hooves split the night. The next moment, several riders thundered into the clearing. One of them was a familiar figure wearing Cameron tartan. The others wore the colors of Clan MacLeod.

“Thora!” The man in the lead dove from the saddle and stormed forward, knocking men aside like saplings.

“Domhnall…” That was all Aedan had time to hear Thora say before Lachlan lunged at him. Steel crashed on steel as he parried Lachlan’s blow.

The laird of Ross clan looked maddened, his face twisted with fury. “How dare ye! Ye betrayed me!”

“I didnae, but I ken that ye intended tae betray me. I heard the words ye spoke outside yer library. Ye impoverished me clan, and ye would choose tae bring war tae us, unless I crawl at yer feet. I’ll nae permit that fate fer meself or me clan folk.”

Lachlan lunged at him again, and Aedan found himself locked in combat with the older laird for the second time in as many days. And at a disadvantage. Lachlan was not nursing cracked ribs, nor a sore head, and he hadn’t suffered from being tied to a tree.

Even so, Aedan was faster, and he was no longer constrained to fight with the courtesy of a ‘friendly match’. He was free to match Lachlan blow for blow, and strike for strike.

Lachlan feinted high, then swung low to try and cut him off at the knee. Aedan dodged the low blow and responded with a stab of his own. The two of them locked blades, then disengaged and began to circle.

Dimly, Aedan was aware of Mac and the other men striking down Lachlan’s warriors. He was aware of one of the men in MacLeod tartan going to Thora’s side. That was all he had time to be aware of, before he had to focus on Lachlan and block an overhand strike that would have split his skull if it had landed.

He blocked, struck back, and locked blades with Lachlan again. He kicked out at Lachlan’s knee, mimicking the trick Lachlan had used on him during their last match, but the older laird was wise to it and avoided the blow, while responding with a second strike that thudded against his already bruised ribs. Aedan grunted and reeled away.

Lachlan tried to follow up with a stab to eviscerate him, but he dodged and struck back. They clashed again, blades ringing against each other.

In better circumstances, he might have triumphed more easily, but he was wounded and weary, and it was a telling handicap. Still, Aedan refused to let himself be daunted. He refused to yield. He poured all his fury, all his regret, all his frustration and all his love into his blows.

And Lachlan faltered. It was just for a moment, barely more than a breath, but Aedan had been waiting for such a break in his concentration. He drove forward, batting aside Lachlan’s sword arm with one fist. The laird dropped his weapon, an expression of surprise combined with anger on his face and lunged at him. But Aedan was close enough to strike him and drove his own blade home. The sword punched into Lachlan’s chest and shredded his heart before exiting his back in a spray of crimson.

“Ye bast–”

Lachlan Ross collapsed to the ground, dead before he even fell.

The rest of the Ross warriors stopped fighting at once, dropping their swords in surrender as soon as they realized their laird had fallen.

Thora barely waited for Lachlan’s body to hit the dirt before she raced toward Aedan. He spun to face her, eyes still hot with battle fury. She saw the moment he recognized her, and hs sword dropped to the ground.

Then she was in his arms, nearly sobbing with relief. “Aedan… I’m sorry I deceived ye, and I…”

“’Tis all right. Ye had a reason. I wouldnae have listened otherwise, ye were right.” Aedan’s voice was quiet, roughened by exertion and smoke.

“We can discuss it later. Fer now, best we be leavin this place, I’m thinkin’.” Thora turned as her eldest brother, Domhnall, strode forward and offered Aedan his hand. “I’m Domhnall MacLeod, and I want tae thank ye fer looking after me sister.”

“Laird MacLeod…’tis as wise tae say that Thora’s been looking after me. Were it nae fer her, I’d nae have discovered the true threat tae me clan.” Aedan looked down and nudged Lachlan Ross’s body with his boot distastefully.

Then he staggered, and Thora yelped, only to sigh with relief as Domhnall caught Aedan in his arms. Kai and Magnus joined them in supporting the wounded laird. “Ye’re a sore, wearied man. Best we get ye tae yer home fer some much needed rest.” Domhnall cracked a smile. “I’d tak’ ye tae mine, but yer castle is the closer o’ the two, and ye’ll be more comfortable there.”

Aedan looked as if he wanted to protest, but Mac joined them and laid a hand on his shoulder. Aedan sighed. “All right. We can… speak when we’re safe at Castle Cameron.”

Thora helped him up onto a horse, though she wasn’t at all surprised when Mac took the reins rather than let his laird try to guide the horse himself. Aedan scowled, but Mac shook his head. “Ye’ve taken too many injuries, me laird. I’ll nae risk ye ridin’ intae a tree branch or off a cliff in yer weariness.”

“But I…”

“Rest, and let yerself heal.” Thora’s youngest brother Kai spoke the words in a soft tone as he put his hand on Aedan’s shoulder, but Thora heard the resonance of his Gift in the words. He could influence other people’s emotions when he touched them, and Aedan suddenly slumped.

Magnus, Thora’s second brother, scooped her up onto his horse with a small smile. “I ken ye’d rather be riding with Laird Cameron, but ye’re safer with me, sister. And we can ride beside him.” Thora nodded.

Her heart was still confused. She didn’t know why Aedan had tried to rescue her. She didn’t know if the geas demand was still in effect. She didn’t know if Aedan had forgiven her, or if his actions had only stemmed from his sense of honor.

She wanted to ask, but Aedan was barely conscious, his eyes half-lidded under the force of Kai’s compulsion. And it wasn’t the sort of question she wanted to ask around her brothers anyway.

After a while, Domhnall came to ride beside her. “Ye were reckless, going off as ye did. Ye scared us all tae hell. Luckily, we were all taegether fer the celebrations.”

“Aye. I ken. But I would have failed if I had done anything else. Ye ken what me visions are like.”

“I ken.” Her brother sighed, and she saw the worry in his eyes. “Did ye at least succeed?”

“Aye.” She leaned against her brother. “I went tae end the threat from Laird Ross, and the threat is ended. It ‘twould have put our clan in grave peril as well.”

“Ye kent the danger, Thora. This was too reckless even fer ye…” Magnus began.

“And being unwed, yet spending so much time away with a man,” Domhnall interrupted him.

“And now? Ye and Laird Cameron?” Kai finally asked.

Thora felt her heart twist. “I dinnae ken… I gave him a false name, and Lachlan revealed the truth afore I could. I regret it, but I dinnae ken if anything can repair the breach me folly has caused.”

“But ye wish it so.”

“Aye. I dae want tae mend things with him.” Thora admitted. “I… I want tae…”

“I understand.” Domhnall smiled, and she felt Magnus squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Once we’re safe in Castle Cameron, then ye can settle matters. Just ken, yer braithers and sister will stand behind ye, whatever comes o’ today’s work.”

Thora smiled. “I ken, and I’m glad o’ it.”

They rode into the courtyard some four candle-marks later. Mac and Kai helped Aedan dismount, and Kai smiled. “Time tae wake up. Me sister’s wanting a word with ye.”

Aedan blinked, then looked at the man beside him.

“A small Gift. I can ease a man’s mind tae rest or waking. Sometimes other things, but I’d never use such gifts on one me sister holds in such high regard.”

Aedan blinked again, then turned his head, seeking her, and Thora stepped forward to meet him. “Aedan…”

“Thora.” He stood before her, his eyes clear, though there were pain lines around them.

One look into his eyes, and the words came pouring out of her, like water from a dam. “I’m so sorry. I didnae… when first I gave ye a false name, I didnae ken what it would mean fer us later. If I’d kent, I never would have deceived ye, even if it meant facing yer scorn and mistrust. I would have…”

“Ye were right. I didnae believe in yer visions. I’d never have heeded ye, nor agreed tae the geas ye asked fer, had I kent ye were MacLeod. I would have let me pride and me stubbornness blind me, and it would have cost me me clan.” Aedan shook his head. “I was wrong, and I’m the one who should be asking forgiveness.”

He took her hand, and Thora struggled to remember how to breathe. “I was hurt, and angered, aye. But me heart kens the truth, that ye’ve never told me a lie beyond yer name. ‘Twas nae fair nor kind o’ me tae send ye away without even giving ye a chance tae speak, or me temper a chance to cool.”

Aedan stepped closer. “Thora MacLeod, I’m a fool and an ill-tempered bastard at times, but even so… I love ye true and were me knee nae threatening tae put me in the dirt as it is, I’d bend it tae show ye. As it stands, I’ve only two questions fer ye. Will ye stay, and will ye allow me tae make one o’ the names ye’ve worn falsely intae one o’ truth - as me Lady Cameron?”

Her heart felt like it might burst. Tears filled her eyes at Aedan’s expression, open, raw and vulnerable. She looked to her brother, and Domhnall nodded, fer she had explained in detail all – almost all - that had happened since her departure from home.

She turned back to Aedan. “Two questions, but they only need one answer.” She leaned up and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Aye.”

“Then welcome home Lady Cameron, and ken that ye and yer kinfolk are forevermore welcome allies and family tae Clan Cameron.”