Chapter 27

27

T he clearing was cloaked in darkness, the pale moonlight barely cutting through the heavy canopy of trees. Hunter and Angus moved in unison, their footsteps muffled against the forest floor. The faint trail of broken twigs and displaced dirt led them closer to the source of muffled voices.

Hunter paused when the cabin came into view. His grip on his sword tightened, the hilt warm against his palm despite the chill in the air. His jaw clenched as he heard Erica’s muffled voice, laced with defiance, followed by a cruel, mocking laugh he recognized all too well.

He stepped into the clearing, his eyes immediately landing on James. The bastard had Erica pressed against him, one arm pinning hers to her side, while the other held a dagger dangerously close to her throat.

“Ye are too late, MacKinnon,” James sneered, his wild eyes gleaming with triumph. He lowered his face to Erica’s temple, his lips curling into a grotesque smirk. “She’s already mine. I’ve claimed her.”

I’ve claimed her? What?

“Nay, he’s lyin’. He hasnae touched me—” Hunter heard Erica say before James landed a blow on her face.

“Let her go, James. Ye have already lost,” Hunter growled, his voice vibrating with barely contained fury.

James chuckled, the sound sharp and manic. “Lost? Och, nay, Hunter. Old friend. Ye have got it all wrong.” He pulled Erica closer, making her wince as the dagger nicked her neck. A bead of crimson trailed down her skin. “I have already won . And the best part? Ye will have to watch as I take what should have always been mine.”

Erica struggled against his grip, her voice sharp and defiant despite the danger. “I would rather die than let ye touch me.”

James’s grin faltered for a moment before it returned, more vicious than before. “Och, dinnae be so dramatic, me dear. Soon enough, ye will see that we were always meant to be. Me faither will welcome ye with open arms into Clan O’Farlane. Ye will finally be where ye belong.”

Erica spat into his face, her voice cutting like a blade. “I would never belong to ye. Ye disgust me.”

The glob of spit landed on his cheek, and his expression darkened. Slowly, he wiped it away with the back of his hand, his movements deliberate.

Hunter watched with predatory focus, though he felt pride swell in his chest.

That’s right, lass. Keep fightin’. I’ll have ye back soon.

“Ye have always been difficult, have ye nae? Just like yer sister. But I’ll tame ye.” James suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to face Hunter. “Do ye see that, Laird MacKinnon? Do ye see how she struggles? But it’s useless. She kens she’s mine now.”

Hunter’s chest burned with fury, his voice sharp as steel. “Ye dinnae have a claim on her, James. Ye never did. Release her now, and I might spare yer life.”

James threw his head back and laughed, the sound grating in the tense air. “Spare me life? Ye truly are deluded if ye think ye have the upper hand here.” His expression twisted, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Did Erica ever tell ye how long I’ve waited for this? Since we were children, all I heard from me faither was how perfect the Kilmartin girls were. How Tillie was the jewel of the Highlands and Erica was a close second. When Tillie got married, it was clear Erica would be next. But then ye ”—he spat out the word like a curse—“came along and ruined everything!”

Hunter took a step closer, his sword gleaming in the faint light. “This isnae about yer faither or childhood grudges. This is about ye being a coward who preys on the innocent.”

James’s face contorted with rage. “Coward? I’m nay coward, MacKinnon. I’m the man who is goin’ to break ye.” He looked back down at Erica, his voice dropping to a chilling murmur. “And I’ll make her forget ye ever existed.”

Erica glared at him, unflinching. “Ye will never get the chance.”

James’s response was vile. He slowly trailed his tongue along the side of her face, his eyes locked onto Hunter’s as he did so. “We’ll see about that.”

The act shattered the fragile tether of control Hunter had been clinging to. With a roar of pure rage, he surged forward, his sword swinging in a deadly arc.

James shoved Erica away, throwing her to the ground as he parried Hunter’s strike.

The clearing erupted into chaos.

Hunter’s sword clashed against James’s dagger, the sound of steel ringing through the night. James fought like a man possessed, his strikes wild and erratic, but Hunter’s fury fueled his precision. Blow after blow, he pushed James back, his movements calculated and deadly.

“Ye think this is about her?” James snarled, swinging his blade. Hunter sidestepped, before landing a brutal kick to James’s knee that sent him stumbling. “This is about ye, MacKinnon! Ye’ve always had everythin’—power, respect, family. While I—” He swung his dagger again, narrowly missing Hunter’s shoulder. “I’ve had to take what I want!”

Hunter’s voice was icy. “Ye didnae take anythin’. Ye stole. Ye killed. Ye have brought nothin’ but shame and ruin to Clan O’Farlane and everyone associated with ye.”

James’s lips curled into a sneer. “Killed? I havenae killed anyone… yet, anyway. But ye are slowly becoming the object of that desire.”

“Ye think people dinnae already ken what happened to yer wife, Morris? Do ye really believe that they pity ye while they suspect ye of killin’ her?”

“Och, is this about me dear, sweet wife? I guess since ye are about to die, I’ll let ye ken what actually happened to her.”

Hunter froze for the briefest moment, and James lunged, slicing his forearm. Hunter hissed but recovered quickly, his next strike forcing James to retreat.

James laughed, the sound hollow and cruel. “It was me, MacKinnon. I killed her. She was in the way—an obstacle to what I wanted. Just like Erica will be if she doesnae learn her place.”

Hunter’s vision cleared with rage, and he attacked with renewed ferocity, driving James further back. The man’s smug expression began to falter, replaced with desperation as Hunter’s strikes became too fast to counter.

“Ye are a coward and a liar,” Hunter growled, his voice like thunder. “And now, ye will pay for everythin’ ye have done.”

James, now bloodied and panting, glanced toward Erica, who had scrambled to her feet. “I did this for ye, Erica!” he shouted, his voice breaking. “Everythin’! I wrote to me faither—he’s ready to welcome ye into our family. Ye were meant to be mine!”

Erica’s response was blistering. “Ye are delusional, James. I’d rather die than go anywhere with ye.”

Her words seemed to break something inside him. He roared and charged at her, but Hunter was faster. He stepped between them, slamming his shoulder into James’s chest and knocking him to the ground.

James scrambled to his feet, his eyes wild. “Ye will regret this, MacKinnon! Both of ye will!”

Hunter did not give him the chance. He swung his sword with brutal precision, forcing him back until his heel caught on a root, sending him sprawling. Before James could recover, Hunter dug the heel of his boot into the man’s wrist, forcing him to release his dagger with a cry of pain.

He kneeled, pressing the tip of his sword against James’s throat. “This ends now.”

But James wasn’t done. His lips twisted into a cruel grin. “Ye will never truly have her, MacKinnon. She’ll always remember tonight. She’ll always remember me.”

Hunter’s face was a mask of cold fury. “Nay, James. She’ll remember the man who saved her. The man who loves her.”

James’s grin faltered, fear finally creeping into his eyes. “Wait?—”

Hunter did not wait. With a final, decisive strike, he drove his blade into James’s chest, the steel piercing through flesh and bone. James’s scream was cut short as blood trickled out of his lips. His body convulsed once, twice, before going still.

Hunter rose back up, breathing heavily, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body before him. He turned to Erica, and his expression softened as he rushed to her side.

“Erica,” he breathed, his voice trembling. “Are ye hurt, love?”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she threw herself into his arms. “I thought—I thought I’d lost ye.”

Hunter held her tightly, pressing a kiss to her hair. “Ye will never lose me. Nae now, nae ever.”

For a moment, they stayed like that, the world around them fading away. He felt her hot tears on his chest as she cried—the stress of the evening had taken its toll on her.

Angus had gone back to the lake to bring the horses to the clearing, and he was walking up toward them when Hunter pulled Erica back and took a good look at her. Her hair was wild and unruly, just like her spirit, and he took a moment to watch her let out her anguish.

She was breathtaking.

“Ye were strong tonight, lass. Ye were perfect.”

Erica smiled and let out a chuckle that eased the tension in her shoulders. Hunter watched as she relaxed and leaned languidly against him. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the horse, exhaustion taking over as the rush of anxiety dissipated.

“Take me home, husband,” she demanded softly.

“Ye are all right, wife. I’ll take ye home to Lily.”

The ride back to the castle was filled with silence, broken only by the rhythmic pounding of the horses’ hooves on the dirt path. Erica sat up in the saddle, though her body was weak and heavy. Her mind reeled from what had just happened.

Angus rode ahead, vigilantly keeping watch. Hunter’s breaths were slow and even against her ear. Though James was dead and the danger was finally eliminated, the weight of his actions clung to her, threatening to pull her under.

When they finally reached the castle gates, the sight that greeted them nearly brought Erica to tears. Standing in the courtyard, illuminated by torchlight, were Lily, Calvin, and Kara’s younger brother, Smith.

Lily rushed forward, her arms outstretched, her eyes wide with relief. “Uncle Hunter! Aunt Erica!”

Hunter dismounted quickly, catching her as she launched herself into his arms. He held her tightly, his stoic mask cracking as she clung to him.

Erica slid down from her horse, her legs unsteady, and Lily turned to her, throwing her arms around her waist.

“Ye are back! Ye are both back!” Lily sobbed, burying her face against Erica’s belly. “I was so scared!”

Erica kneeled down, pulling the girl into a fierce embrace. “We’re here, Lily. We’re safe now. Ye are safe.” Her voice wavered, the stress of the night bubbling to the surface.

Smith, who was standing a few steps back, shuffled nervously. “Lady MacKinnon,” he said, his voice trembling. “I… I’m sorry I didnae do more. Mr. Morris held me captive?—”

“It’s nae yer fault,” Erica said firmly. “Ye were brave, Smith, just by stayin’ strong. Thank ye for keepin’ Lily safe.”

Hunter glanced at Calvin. “Any trouble while we were gone?”

Calvin shook his head, though his expression was grim. “Nay, but the lass was worried sick about ye two. And we had our hands full keepin’ her calm.”

Lily nodded fervently, her tear-streaked face tilted up to her uncle. “I thought somethin’ bad happened. Calvin wouldnae let me go after ye.”

“Because it wasnae safe,” Calvin interjected, his voice gentle but firm. “Your aunt and uncle took care of it, did they nae?”

Hunter ruffled Lily’s hair, his face softening. “We did. And ye did exactly what we needed ye to do by stayin’ here and bein’ strong.”

Lily sniffled and leaned into him. “I’m glad ye are both home.”

Erica’s heart ached at the tender scene, but her relief was short-lived. Her gaze flicked to the side, where a guard stood quietly, awaiting orders. Kara’s name was on her lips before she could stop herself.

“Kara,” she said, her voice low but determined. “Where is she?”

Hunter stiffened, and his gray eyes hardened as he looked at her. “In the dungeons.”

Erica’s heart sank. “Hunter, nay…”

“She betrayed us, Erica,” he argued, his voice cold. “She helped James. There’s nay forgivin’ that.”

“She was forced into it!” Erica cried out, her frustration bubbling over. “James threatened her family—her braither , Hunter. He left her nay choice.”

Hunter’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

Lily, sensing the tension, looked between them, her small voice breaking the silence. “Why is Kara in the dungeons? Did she do somethin’ bad?”

Erica hesitated, unsure how to explain, but Hunter beat her to it. “She made a mistake, Lily. A very dangerous one.”

“That doesnae mean she’s bad,” Lily said softly, her innocent gaze holding her uncle’s. “Kara’s always been kind to me.”

Erica placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I need to see her, Hunter,” she insisted, her voice trembling.

Hunter looked as though he wanted to protest, but after a long, tense pause, he relented. “Fine. But dinnae expect me to forgive her so easily.”

The dungeons were cold and dimly lit, the air damp and heavy. A single torch flickered in the corridor, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Erica followed the guard, her heart pounding as they approached Kara’s cell.

Inside, Kara sat on the floor, her knees drawn to her chest and her face buried in her hands. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she looked up, her red-rimmed eyes widening when she saw Erica.

“Me Lady,” she whispered, scrambling to her feet and gripping the iron bars. “Ye are safe. Thank the heavens ye are safe. And Miss Lily?”

“She is safe. As is Smith. He’s upstairs, warmin’ up and eatin’ something.”

“Och Christ, have mercy, thank ye.”

“Kara,” Erica said, her voice cracking. She stepped closer, her hands curling around the cold metal. “Why did ye nae tell me? Why did ye nae come to me when James threatened ye?”

Tears welled up in Kara’s eyes. “I was scared. He said he’d kill me braither and me parents. I thought… I thought if I did what he wanted, I could protect them—and ye. But I was wrong. I was so wrong.”

Erica’s chest tightened. “Ye should have trusted me, Kara. We could have stopped him together.”

“I ken that now. It’s why I wrote the letter to Laird MacKinnon. I had to confess,” Kara sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “I failed ye, Me Lady. I’ll never forgive meself for it.”

Erica reached through the bars, taking her maid’s trembling hands in her own. “I forgive ye, Kara. I ken ye didnae mean to hurt me. I ken ye were tryin’ to protect the people ye love.”

Kara collapsed against the bars, her sobs echoing in the corridor. “I dinnae deserve yer forgiveness.”

“But ye do,” Erica declared firmly. “Ye are me friend, Kara. And friends forgive each other.”

When she returned to the Great Hall, Hunter was pacing in front of the fire, his expression thunderous. The moment he saw her, he stopped, his piercing gray eyes locking onto hers.

“Ye forgave her, did ye nae?” he asked, his voice flat.

“Aye, it is me right to do so,” Erica replied, lifting her chin. “Ye should forgive her, too.”

Hunter’s jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. “She betrayed ye, Erica. She betrayed all of us. Forgiveness doesnae erase what she did.”

“I didnae say I ‘erased everythin’ she did from me memory’ now, did I? Nay. I said that I forgave her. She was tryin’ to save her family!” Erica argued, her voice rising. “Ye would have done the same if it were Lily!”

“That’s different,” Hunter snapped, his voice like a whip. “I would never endanger someone I swore to protect.”

Erica flinched, the guilt and exhaustion of the night settling over her. “Maybe it would be better if I just left,” she said quietly.

Hunter froze, his eyes narrowing. “What are ye sayin’?”

“I’m sayin’ that everythin’ that happened—everythin’ James did—was all because of me,” Erica said, her voice breaking. “If I wasnae here, none of this would have happened. Lily would have been safe, and Kara wouldnae have been dragged into this mess.”

“That’s nae true,” Hunter said sharply. “James was a monster. His obsession had nothin’ to do with yer presence here.”

“Did it nae?” Erica shot back, tears spilling down her cheeks. “If I wasnae here, he wouldnae have?—”

“Stop,” Hunter interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. “Ye arenae responsible for his madness.”

Erica shook her head, the weight of her guilt crushing her. “I cannae do this, Hunter. I cannae stay here and watch everyone suffer because of me.”

She turned and fled the hall, ignoring his calls. When she reached her chamber, she locked the door and collapsed onto her bed.

Sobs wracked her body as she buried her face in the pillows, the events of the night replaying in her mind like a terrible dream. Eventually, she fell into a restless sleep, her tears staining her pillows.