Chapter 1

1

" L aird O'Kane," Archer greeted as his gaze fell on the burly man standing near the hall's large windows. The Laird stared outside, his hands crossed behind him, and he slowly turned around when Archer called for his attention.

"A pleasure to meet ye," Laird O'Kane replied, extending a hand for a stern shake.

Most highland lairds never requested an audience in his castle's halls. They preferred to meet outside the castle—in the open where eyes were on them.

Because you never know when you'll get stabbed in the back, right?

Archer didn't expect much from Laird O'Kane either as he met his gaze. If the Laird had business for him, then it would be quickly settled, so he could get back to his duties.

Archer took in the fine lines cornering the Laird's eyes. He had heard rumors about the Laird countless times. Laird O'Kane's popularity in the Highlands stemmed from his father's good deeds in all of Scotland— a strong political all ye of the crown and a worshipped laird. Archer could not think of a reason why a laird of his caliber would want an audience with him.

Considering our clans are different in so many ways.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of yer visit, Laird O'Kane?" Archer asked once he released the Laird's hand.

"It is my first time in Devlin," O'Kane answered, showing his teeth with a small smile. "If I knew how lovely yer lands were in the winter, I would have traveled here sooner and explored the mountains for myself."

"And yet ye have never." Archer met Laird O'Kane's eyes sternly as he added, "Our clans are bordered by the great mountain, Torrach. It is merely a four night journey to cross over to my side of the mountain. Seein' as ye have journeyed this far, I must assume ye have somethin' important to discuss."

"Actually, I do," Laird O'Kane answered before sighing and lowering his head a bit. "Ye must have heard the rumors, Laird Devlin. Rumors concernin' me family's dire situation in the hands of the English Earl."

Archer raised a questioning brow as Laird O'Kane delivered his plight.

Yes, he had heard the rumors for years. Laird O'Kane's family got themselves in some dangerous deal with a powerful English earl that cost him his sisters.

"Three Scottish lasses at the mercy of an English earl," Archer replied. "There isnae much to discuss about that." He offered the Laird a stiff smile now. "Is that why ye have come? To discuss the gossip about yer sisters' kidnappin' to England?"

Both men stood a shoulder width apart alone in the hall. Archer thought it was brave of the young laird to come see him without the backing of his army.

The rumors that spread through the highlands did not only cover Laird O'Kane's sisters' dilemma. Archer believed rumors of his own clan's activities were even more widely discussed.

Rumors of my clan's madness, he thought wryly.

"I have come here because I have a proposition for ye, Laird Devlin. Yer clan's reputation in all of the highlands is no new gossip and neither is mine. Our clans have been ridiculed at the hands of these gossips for far too long, and we can help each other.

"Regardless of what the rumors speak of yer clan, I ken one truth is that ye have a large army…larger than every other highland clan at present. Ye have the resources to help me bring me sisters home after six long years, and I propose that ye help me in exchange for access to me clan's great fortune."

Archer's raised brow shot to his hairline. "Great fortune?"

Laird O'Kane nodded. "Amongst all of the highland clans, we have the most access to the English businessmen. We are well experienced with imports, and we have connections with the crown and alliances with powerful outlanders.

"An alliance with my clan shall make life easier for yer clan. It is also no secret that ye lot have struggled to survive over the years. The time yer faither spent at war led to yer clan's destruction. To rebuild, ye will need help. I dinnae see any other Highland clans willin' to form an alliance with ye yet, and I am extendin' this proposition with good faith."

Archer resisted the urge to break into a short bout of laughter at Laird O'Kane's words.

Good faith? Did the lad know what he spoke off?

Archer cleared his throat and clenched his jaw hard before speaking. "Yer clan is merely stuck in a predicament with an English earl. My clan is rumored to be cursed, led by a mad laird, and shadowed over by violent deaths.

"Do ye ken how many men have died on that very spot that ye stand right now, Laird O'Kane? How many men have tried to form an alliance with my clan and ended up with a blade in their guts for it?"

He expected a different reaction from Laird O'Kane— fear perhaps or a slight tremble to show his discomfort. Laird O'Kane's eyes remained steady on Archer's instead, and his chin maintained its high jut. "I dinnae ken, and I dinnae care. I only care for my sisters, and I believe ye care about yer clan too. If ye want yer clan to survive the long winter, then ye ken that ye need help."

Archer rubbed his chin. "How do I trust yer good faith?" he questioned. Laird O'Kane was right about his clan's situation. No Highland clan wanted to trade with them or form an alliance. "As ye have rightly said, nay other Highland clan desires to form an alliance with me because of me clan's history…How do I trust that ye have nae come to ruin us once and for all?"

"Because I have nae reason to want yer ruin, Laird Devlin. My clan and yers have never been allies, but we have also never been enemies. We exist on opposite sides of the Torrach mountain, and yet we have never crossed paths. I believe it is time we formed our own fortunes."

The villagers had survived till now based on the little their farmlands produced, but they needed more. I must help them and do what is best for them.

Without trading with the other clans, most of their harvest for the year went to waste, and they could also not acquire other produce that they did not cultivate.

Archer's mind spun with his thoughts. He needed more than an ally in name only. He needed some sort of promise to hold their families together, and right then, there was only one way forward Archer could think of.

He never thought it would be possible for him to take a bride and sire an heir considering his clan was the Highland's outcast, and no laird would be willing to give their daughter or sister to him.

But this is my chance right here. Laird O'Kane was desperate, and Archer could bargain to his advantage with that.

He made his decision quickly in his mind, knowing he had to act on it immediately or else he might miss the chance. "If ye speak of good faith then ye must show it. Pledge one of yer sisters to me—the eldest. That binds our families forever…That is show of good faith."

The trembling Archer had anticipated finally crossed Laird O'Kane's eyes. His lower lip quivered as well, and Archer could instantly sense his hesitation.

"If ye cannae pledge yer sister to me, how do I trust yer good faith?"

"My clan has a lot more to offer besides her dowry, Laird Devlin. We have gold and a trade path that offers access to not only England but also the Kingdom of Franks and the Holy Roman empire."

"It isnae her dowry I am after," he countered, shaking his head from side to side. "My clan isnae so completely wrecked that I shall desire her dowry. It is yer trust, Laird O'Kane. What is good faith without trust?"

Laird O'Kane looked like he was about to refuse again, but Archer did not have the time for it. "I guess we have naethin' else to discuss, Laird O'Kane. See yerself out of my castle."'

Archer walked away and made it to the door before he finally heard Laird O'Kane's sigh of defeat.

"All right," Laird O'Kane called out. Archer slowly turned to him, a slight smile of victory curving out on his lips. "I pledge ye my sister. If ye help bring them back to the Highlands safely, then she is yers to wed. She shall be lady of yer keep and maither of yer children. Once our families are joined, the other highland clans will have nae reason to despise ye. If I am yer ally, ye shall be more respected and trusted."

"And do ye trust me?" Archer challenged.

"I just placed my sister's fate in yer hands, Laird Devlin. I walked into yer castle on my own and left my men out on the drawbridge. I am well aware of what…" Laird O'Kane paused and looked around the empty great hall. "I am aware that this very hall is called the Devil's hall. I have heard of the atrocities committed here, and still I walked in here on my own to speak with ye. What more show of trust do ye need?

"I dinnae care for anythin' else but me family. I do anythin' and everythin' for them," Laird O'Kane thundered, his eyes narrowing into slits to show his passion. "In a strange way, I believe ye are the same Laird Devlin…Ye care for yer family—yer clan—and ye will do anythin' for them."

Archer briefly admired the Laird's bravery even as he sensed he was his last hope.

Why else would he risk his life to stand here in the Devil's hall and offer him a deal?

"Ye keep yer word to me, Laird O'Kane," Archer said, marching back to the Laird with purposeful strides. His voice deepened before he added, "Or I shall make sure yer head hangs on a pike right here in me great hall."

Laird O'Kane did not flinch still. "The same shall be yer fate, Laird Devlin. If ye ever harm a hair on my sister after she is yers, I shall be yer ruin and all of the Highlands shall read of yer demise in history books for eternity."

They had an understanding. It was one full of threats and shaky trust, but Archer believed they both understood what they just agreed to.

"Good…" Archer said and offered Laird O'Kane another hand. "Now, who do I need to kill to free me bride-to-be?"