Chapter 2

2

The nightmare on the road visited her again. Once more, Olivia was standing behind the tree, peering out at the monster who stood over the dead body, laughing over his kill. She was always frozen, unable to move, and tonight was no different. She stood shaking, praying the creature wouldn't notice her.

In a sudden jump, the monster was behind her. Olivia felt his hard, muscular chest press against her back as his hands came up to hold her in place. Her breath came fast as one arm wrapped around her waist while the other came up to encircle her neck. Olivia felt his fingers trail from her jawline to her collarbone, and she shivered as she realized his hand was wet with blood.

The dream had never gone this far before. Every other night, she woke up drenched in sweat and shaking as soon as the monster rushed towards her. He had never put his hands on her before. Real panic surged through her limbs as she tried to force herself awake.

The monster pulled her closer, but there was a gentleness to the gesture. It confused her. Panic began to recede, and she felt comforted by the beast, almost safe. His hand around her neck turned to an embrace as the monster ran his thumb along her jaw, gently stroking.

"Ye shouldnae go out on yer own, little pest."

Olivia jerked awake and sat up in bed. The covers had been kicked to the floor, and her nightgown was tangled around her knees. Even her hair was knotted around her face.

She brushed the hair out of her eyes and swung her feet to the floor, needing to feel something sturdy beneath her as she took in the dream she had just had.

She could still feel the man standing behind her as if the dream had been real. She could picture the way his hand felt, could imagine the strength he had to move her around the room. She could picture it because it had happened before.

She had been held by the man before, locked in an embrace while they danced. The monster on the road was Alexander, Ciara's brother, and he had killed his own father.

Olivia sat quietly at the breakfast table, barely able to eat. Despite her conviction last night about Alexander, she had started to question herself in the morning light. Accusing Alexander of something like this was serious. And it would cause a lot of harm to Ciara and the rest of her family if it was true. What if she was wrong?

"Still no news?" Elspeth asked. Her eyes were on Ciara, who sat quietly at the table, a letter in her hands. Her food was also untouched on the plate in front of her.

Ever since learning of her father's death and her brother's disappearance, Ciara had been a shadow of her former self. The whole family was worried about her, especially since she was with child.

"The men came back without news," Ciara said, setting down the letter with a sigh.

Her mother and sister had been keeping her updated on the search for Alexander. Since Alexander and Arthur had been traveling together, the family was worried Alexander had been captured. They were desperately hoping he hadn't met the same fate as his father.

"What about our search parties?" Olivia asked, glancing over at Magnus as he took his wife's hand.

"No sign of him," Magnus confirmed.

Since Arthur's body was found so close to MacLeon Castle, Magnus had also initiated an intensive search for Alexander around the keep.

Overcome with emotion, Ciara let out a small cry that made Olivia's stomach drop. Her sister-in-law was suffering, and Olivia didn't want to do anything to add to that pain. No, she wouldn't say anything about her suspicions about Alexander. At least, not until she was one hundred percent certain they were true.

"Me Laird," a voice cried out, full of urgency, as a maid rushed into the room.

The surprise of it brought Magnus to his feet.

"Lady MacLeon," the maid said, dropping into a slight curtsy. "It's yer brother."

Ciara stood up, her face stoic, preparing for bad news. "He's here."

As if walking straight out of a dream, or a nightmare in Olivia's case, Alexander Doyle strode into the room. He walked slowly, with a slight limp and his right arm in a sling. But these injuries were nothing compared to his face.

As Olivia took in the man who had been haunting her dreams, her breath caught as she saw a deep and ugly cut that sliced through his right eyebrow, across his nose, and deep into his left cheek, finishing below his ear.

"Alexander!" Ciara gasped, and she was on her feet, rushing towards him.

Elspeth and Magnus followed, but Olivia stayed a step behind. He looked very different from the man she had danced with at Magnus's wedding, and not just because of the scar. Alexander looked darker and angrier, more beast than human.

As Ciara hugged her brother close, Alexander's eyes found Olivia's over her shoulder. Olivia held her breath as he locked eyes with her, his gaze intense and unwavering. She immediately dropped her gaze.

"Where have ye been?" Ciara asked him, putting her hands on his arms, his neck, his cheeks.

Alexander sucked air between his teeth as her hand came too close to his wound.

"At death's door," he told her, finally bringing his eyes back to her. "I came as soon as I was strong enough."

"Ye must rest," Elspeth said, gesturing to the table. "Come, eat something."

Ciara began to lead her brother towards the table, allowing him to lean on her. Though the others walked back to their seats, Olivia stayed still, taking in the man in front of her as he passed. Fear flamed up inside of her, but she forced herself to stand still as Alexander glared at her.

He walked close to her, and his gaze was fierce.

I ken ye were in the woods, that gaze said. I ken ye saw something.

Olivia swallowed hard, keeping her jaw shut tight. She wouldn't let him see her fear. But then, as Alexander crossed in front of her, she heard, "We need to talk, little pest."

"Ye!" Olivia cried out, unable to stay silent any longer.

If Alexander had killed his father, he might be here to murder the rest of his family. What if he was after Ciara? What if he came for Magnus?

Olivia's cry caused all heads to swing in her direction. Elspeth wore a look of confusion, while Magnus looked horrified, shocked by his stepsister's lack of manners. Even Ciara was staring at her, looking from her to Alexander, who was shaking his head ever so slightly, trying to keep Olivia quiet.

"It was ye!" Olivia yelled, and she felt satisfaction when she noticed the shock in Alexander's eyes.

"What is this about?" Magnus asked.

As he crossed to Olivia, he apologized to Ciara and Alexander.

"She hasnae been sleeping well this past week," Magnus explained as he put his hands on Olivia's shoulders.

"I ken what I saw!" Olivia cried out, brushing him aside. Her outburst had every eye in the room on her, waiting for an explanation.

"Alexander killed his faither! I saw him do it!"

"Careful, little pest," Alexander said, an edge to his voice. "Ye mistake me for yer brother."

Alexander glanced over at Magnus. The words had come unbidden, and he instantly regretted them. He was in enough hot water from her accusations. He shouldn't be angering Magnus any further by reminding the man that he had killed his father.

"Sorry for that," Alexander said.

"I'm nae sorry I killed the old bastard," Magnus said, crossing to Ciara. "But… yer faither was a good man," he added carefully.

"It–it's nae true, is it, Alex?" Ciara asked, trying to maintain her composure.

Alexander took in the shocked and confused faces around him. He sighed. The journey to the castle had taken a lot of his energy, and he felt ready to drop. He shuffled towards the table, knowing he would need to sit down to tell this story.

"Of course, It's nae true," he said, his tone harsher than he had intended. He saw relief on Ciara's face as Magnus led her back to the dining table.

"Ye cannae say such things so lightly," Magnus said as he passed Olivia.

Alexander caught the hint of outrage on Olivia's face, followed by a new wave of anger. While the others crossed to the table to sit, Olivia stood firmly in place.

"I saw ye!" she cried out. "I couldnae recognize ye at first. There was so much blood. But I'm sure of it. It was ye!"

"Sit down, little pest," Alexander said calmly. "I'll explain it to ye."

His eyes caught Olivia's and held them in a challenge.

"Ye cannae tell me it wasnae ye," Olivia cried. "Ye murdered him!"

"Ye've called me a murderer twice. Dinnae do it again, lass." Alexander couldn't keep the threat out of his voice.

"Let him explain," Elspeth said, coaxing her daughter back to the table.

Olivia gave Alexander a final scowl before crossing to sit next to her mother.

"We were hunting in the woods and had a thought to visit," Alexander explained. "Ye ken Faither never gives up a chance to see wee Arthur."

He saw a slight smile on Ciara's face, but then her eyes filled with tears. No doubt she was thinking about their father and the fact that her children would grow up without him.

"We were on the road here when two men attacked, covered in black from head to toe. They had the advantage, since we were unprepared, but I managed to pull out me sword and fight. Nae before the man gave me this though," he said, gesturing to the wound across his face.

"I could barely see as I fought, but I killed him. If I hadnae done it, he would certainly have killed me. But when I looked over to check on Faither…"

Alexander wouldn't tell all the details in front of his sister. He had the whole experience burnt into his mind, but Ciara didn't need to know how their father suffered. This, at least, was something he could spare her.

"It was too late. I was enraged to see him there, bloody on the ground. And it gave me a second round of strength. I went after the second man with only one thought—revenge. But I heard something in the woods."

He let his eyes slide across the table to Olivia.

"A whimper…"

"I didnae whimper," Olivia muttered.

Alexander had a flash of her in the woods, barefoot and breathing hard.

"The man heard it, too," he said. "And this… distraction gave him time to run away and take the other man's body with him. That's when Olivia saw me. Bloody and looking wild, I've nay doubt. I was barely human, wanting only to kill the man who had killed me faither."

"Who would do such a thing?" Elspeth asked.

But Alexander didn't have an answer. He had replayed the fight moment by moment in his mind, but the men had no distinctive marks on their clothing or faces.

"So it's me fault?" Olivia asked. Her voice sounded regretful and sad.

The tone shocked Alexander. He was so used to her strong and defiant words. These quiet ones were unlike her. Something inside him softened.

"What is, lass?"

"I distracted ye. I let the man get away before ye could take revenge. And now he's still out there."

"Nay, lass," Alexander said, shaking his head.

Her eyes were downcast, staring at her clasped hands, which rested on the table. He felt an unusual desire to comfort her despite the anger he still felt at her accusations.

"I let him get away," Olivia said, her words tumbling out. "And now ye and Ciara and Lana will never have justice for yer faither's death. It's all me fault…"

"Enough, little pest," Alexander said. His voice was loud and demanding, and the tone silenced her.

Olivia looked up at him, meeting his gaze.

"Ye didnae distract me from killing him," Alexander told her. "I was well hurt and losing me strength. Ye just scared the man away. By being there, ye saved me life."