Page 58 of The Highland Heir

Again, Kieran nodded. “It is what my fatherhas said as well.” Of course, Kieran had mixed feelings about thelack of a battle. He thought he might like a fight to purge him ofall his anger.

“Do you regret it?” she asked, not needing toexplain what she meant.

“Never. No matter how much it hurts at themoment.” He shook his head. “We knew this was going to happen allalong. I thought we would have more time, but with this battle,plans have changed.”

She nodded again, but the motion was jerky,as if she were made of wood.

“I’m sorry, Ella. I wish . . .” Heshook his head. “It doesna matter what I wish, does it? I hope youfind happiness, Ella. And know that I will always remember thatnight when I look at the stars. I will always think of you.”

The horns sounded, and the gates opened tolet the soldiers out of the bailey.

“I must go,” he said, making no move toleave. He raised his hand as if to touch her but let it drop to hisside.

“I hope she is not a hag,” Ella said, makinghim smile at the memory of his worries. As their laughter faded,they exchanged a look that communicated all the things theycouldn’t say.

She loved him.

He loved her.

Rather than acknowledge such a thing whenthere was nothing to be done for it, he cleared his throat andsaid, “I will see you when I return.”

She nodded, but the way she looked away, hewondered if he would. He didn’t push for the truth.

“Aye. I’ll see you when you return,” sheanswered.

With those lies spoken, she reached up on hertiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. He wanted for all the worldto seize her in his arms and deepen the kiss until they could bothbe lost in their love, but he allowed her to step back and thenturn away from him so he could leave.

Anger, the likes of which he had never feltin his life, washed through him, making his blood run like fire inhis veins as he wrenched the reins to Ridire from the groom andtossed himself up into his saddle. With one final look at her, hereared the beast toward the gate that was opening.

Teague called something to him, but he didn’thear as he raced from the castle, across the drawbridge and intothe field. Giving Ridire his head, they flew over Sinclair landsalone, the wind rushing in his ears turning to whispers that heneeded to stop and wait for the rest of their army. That his fatherwould not be pleased he had left like this.

It was then, thinking of how he would onceagain earn his father’s ire, that he found the source of his rage.He hated his father.

All his life Kieran had continued hisattempts to earn favor with the man who could barely look at him.He had avoided his father and even disliked him, but now, all thepain the man had inflicted burned with the heat of a thousand sunsand forged into hatred.

If Kieran stopped to wait for the man tocatch up to him, he just might find a sword in his hand and hisfather’s blood pooling at his feet.

Nay, this was better. He would ride throughhis anger so he wouldn’t do something unforgivable.

*

Ella should have said something. She shouldhave wished him happy. Should have told him she understood. Shouldhave told him she changed her mind and wished to run away with him.She should have simply said goodbye. But she stood there in numbsilence as tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped from her chinonto her kirtle.

The look on his face as he had ridden out ofthe bailey had scared her. She’d never seen him in so much pain.And she would not be the one to ease his pain ever again.

Her father rode over to her and frowned whenhe saw her tears.

“Come now, Ella. Ye knew this was how itwould go.”

“I know.” She wiped the tears away.

“But still, it pains ye.”

“Aye.” She wiped the new tears away andoffered a shaky but brave smile. “I will be fine so long as youpromise to come home.”

“Ye know I don’t make such promises, lass,except to say I’ll do my best. But I have always come home so far.This will be no different. It will not come to a fight. It will allbe settled in words. But we have the MacKenzie warriors with us ifit comes to swords, and we will easily win against the Campbells.The Campbell laird will never side with his chief if it means war.It will be over quickly. We are certain of it.”

“And if you win, it means . . . I lose.”