Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

S he is Lachlan's wife, Kai thought, fighting the urge to burst into ironic laughter. It was an easy way to get over the odd feeling of sadness in his chest. With a smile on his face, he looked up at the woman who had ensnared his mind ever since he had returned home.

After she had left the brook, Kai had adhered to her threat. He had not wanted her to scream or fear him, but he knew she would have been tolerable to a conversation if they had met again. He had been wrong.

For about an hour, he had ridden through the village asking about the petite woman with the pale skin, long blonde hair, and blue eyes. No one had seemed to see such a beautiful woman about, making him believe she was just passing by, and fate would never meet them again. At least, this is what Kai had thought before giving up his search and proceeding with his journey to the castle.

But who would have thought that the mysterious woman was married to his brother.

Her temper is far too fiery for me brother, Kai had believed.

Lachlanwas a man who desired power over everyone around him. He couldn't stand it when anyone, man or woman, dared to challenge him. When Kai learned of his marriage, he assumed his bride would be a submissive and meek woman. In reality, the woman standing next to his brother was encasing in herself a spark he hadn't seen before.

But there was something unusual about her. Her eyes were not the bright, vibrant blue he'd witnessed earlier. They were duller as she wore a wary expression, and herskin, which had shone in the sun, had turned pale.

Does she fear me brother or me? Or maybe she thinks I have revealed our acquaintance?

He could not tell at a glance. However, he knew she had not told his brother about their meeting at the brook, and he planned not to as well. A few minutes later, and hemight have mentioned the mysterious woman to his brother. Looking at her, Kai realized how much trouble he could have gotten them both into.

"Maid!" his brother barked to the woman who had come in with his wife. "Bring me wife a chair."

The maid hurried to Kai's side and tried to lift the heavy wooden chair.

"May I lend ye a hand?" Kai offered the struggling woman, but she looked at him with shock, as did his brother's wife.

"I am grateful, sir, but I can carry it," the maid said quickly, her eyes darting warily from him to his brother.

The maids still fear me brother. Kai sighed.

The maid walked around him, trying not to drag the chair legs on the floor.

She positioned it between the two men, and Lachlan placed his hand on Alana's shoulder. She sank into the seat with the motion of his hand, and it was clear she was jittery underhis touch. Kai overheard a passing conversation between the two women, but he couldn't tell what they were worried about.

"Go for yer supper, Isla. Dinnae wait here," Alana said warmly, causing a smile on Kai's lips. He could tell the maid was her friend, and she cared for her.

Alana, Kai repeated in his head again. Ye have a kind heart, lass.

Looking at the woman seated between him and his brother, he wondered a lot of things. How did they meet? Where was she from? A lot of questions raced through Kai's mind, but he knew he would not learn more without listening. Still, he laughed at Fate's humor. The one woman who had ever made him contemplate a life without Helen, his betrothed, happened to be his brother's wife.

He dared to look at her again, and each time he did, she averted her eyes quickly. Her face reddened as it had by the brook, but she held his gaze for a second this time before looking away again.

"Why is the room suddenly quiet?" Lachlan asked, breaking the awkward silence between them.

Kai smiled to relieve the tension in the room, especially for Alana, who he knew was worried he'd talk about their encounter. While Kai believed his brother should know, he also knew he and she would get into trouble. Her eyes said it all.

"I didnae—"

"It is a pleasure tae meet ye," she cut in quickly. Her eyes darted from Lachlan's to judge his reaction before she turned back to Kai. "I didnae ken that me husband's brother was coming back."

"Because I didnae ken, Alana," Lachlan cut her off rudely before turning back to Kai. "I wanted the fairest maiden I could find, and then her faither came seeking alliance," Lachlan continued, casting no look at his wife.

"I share yer happiness, me brother," Kai replied. He was indeed happy that Lachlan was wedded and to a very beautiful woman, but something felt odd beside his own interest in the lass. Kai could not place it.

"Thank ye—" Alana started before she was cut off again. Kai saw his brother's hand squeeze her right thigh just a little, pulling her attention back to him.

Is that a touch o' endearment? Kai wondered as he watched them closely. Alana had attempted to speak twice already, and Lachlan had cut her off each time. It was obvious that he did not wish her to speak, but Kai convinced himself he was just possessive of her.

"I apologize, Kai," Lachlan started with a fake smile on his face. "Me wife is a woman of little words. Sometimes, she does nae even speak when I am with people."

The second the words escaped Lachlan's lips, Kai knew his brother was lying. He was more than certain Alana was everything else but a woman who hardly spoke or found it difficult to convey her feelings, especially her anger. And now, with her head bowed and bitingher full lower lip as if she was preventing herself from speaking, Kai was certain she was fighting an internal battle.

Or mayhap she was stern with me because she is wedded tae the Laird MacAdam, and I'm just going mad, Kai thought, trying as much as possible to not question things. He was quick to spot a new habit of his to wonder about the betrothal of his brother.

He realized this was the sour flavor of jealousy. He could almost hear his late father's voice at the back of his mind, scolding him for his thoughts and desires. Not only was he lusting after the woman wedded to his brother, but he was also promised to another lass. And it was a promise he was not willing to break, not even for the bonniest woman on Earth.

Kai clenched his fists and swore in his mind, cursing the day he lay eyes on her delicate skin.

"Well, ye have seen me wife," Lachlan said, putting his hand once more on her shoulder before he tapped it once. She arose to her feet and pierced Kai's eyes for the first time this night.

"I apologize, but I will have tae retire back tae me chambers. I had a rough day," she said pointedly, and Kai was the only one who understood what she was speaking about. The corners of his mouth went up.

"It was nice tae meet ye," he said, but she only nodded before she left the room while giving away one last glance in which he saw gratitude for not saying he already knew her.

As she walked away, Kai made a conscious effort to keep his gaze fixed on his brother. It was unsurprising that Lachlan'sgaze was scrutinizing him. Growing up, they frequently found themselves at odds over mutual desires. And, despite the fact that it had never involved a woman, Lachlan was still wary.

"A lot has changed since ye left, Kai," he said with a serious demeanor.

"We are on the verge of war with Clan Ross," Lachlan continued.

"War? I thought us allies," Kai uttered his shock.

"I tried as hard as I could to salvage peace between our clan lands, but they want war," he added. "A few months ago, there was a poisoning within the castle, and a maid was sent tae get an antidote as the healer was too weary tae go by hersel'. Me right-hand man, Ewan, offered tae go with her for her protection."

"Ewan became yer right-hand man?" Kai asked, more out of worry than shock. He had never liked the lanky and odd man for he lacked empathy. He had always worried that Ewan would be a bad influence on his brother because of the similar brutality they shared within.

"He is the only man I can trust," Lachlan answered, irritated by the question before he continued his tale. "They ran intae a man from Clan Ross who wished tae have his way with the maid. People say he was drunk, and she is a bonnie lass which naturally provoked him."

The way Lachlan spoke of the maid made Kai wonder if he had more interactions with her.

Nay, he has a beautiful wife. Why would he feel the need tae chase after another?

"The man didnae heed the pleas of the maid or Ewan's warnings. He attacked them, trying tae take her virtue for himsel'. Ewan tried tae defend the woman's honor before the man suddenly fell onto the ground."

"Did Ewan strike him?" Kai was quick to ask.

"Nay," Lachlan answered. "The man was drunken with liquor and unsteady in his gait and mind. They exchanged a few punches, and he fell down, hitting his head."

"The Clan Ross owes us an apology then," Kai argued. "Nae war."

"The man who fell tae his death was the youngest son of Laird Ross," Lachlan gave Kai the grave news that he had been leading up towards.

Revenge, Kai realized and sighed.

"I tried tae make peace with them, but they refused every time," it was admirable, hearinghis brother appeal to another for reasons other than his own. "Try as I could, they want blood. An' I could nae betray Ewan, for he was valiant in his actions."

Kai looked to his brother with new respect. He could not tell what had triggered the change in him, perhaps the death of their father, his new bride, or just age, but he had hope for the man he had become.

"Would I be able tae call on yer help when the battle reaches our borders?" Lachlan asked.

"Aye, brother," Kai assured him. Given his behavior earlier that day, he was more than willing to make things up. "Would ye mind if I take a bath and rest a little? It was a long ride."

Lachlan only nodded in his direction and took a paper from his desk.

Fate does make mockery of me , he thought while walking toward his room. He thought of Alana for what he hoped would be the last time. Suddenly, he felt someone grab at his wrist and pull him away from the light and into the darkness of an unknown room.