Page 7

“Your recklessness will get you killed, Lina,” he whispered harshly. As harshly as she’d ever heard her brother speak to her. ’Twas likely the presence of these Duncraig clansmen, but still, she liked it not.

“Invite them into the keep,” she said. “Surely you need the full story of the news they bring. If ’tis indeed true—”

But he’d stopped listening. She sighed, once again catching the eyes of the chief’s second.

This time his expression seemed almost amused. He did not smile, per se, but something about the twinkle in his eyes gave her that impression.

As the crowd continued discussing, loudly, the impact of the Duncraig’s words reverberating through the circle, her brother finally called for an end to it.

“You will both follow me.”

And just like that, ’twas done. The circle parted for their chief. The newcomers followed Ewan, neither of them looking her way as they passed, and it seemed for the first time in Avelina’s lifetime, the keep of Castle MacKinlay would welcome clansmen from Duncraig.

Although “welcome” may not be the correct word to use, they were headed in the keep’s direction. Swordless, though still proud, they followed her brother. And Avelina had no intention of missing this meeting, so she sped along as well.

Not for another glimpse of the Duncraig warrior, but simply because she’d not be denied the opportunity for some excitement. And of one thing there was no doubt, today was proving to be the most exciting day that Avelina could recall in a long, long time.

Chapter Five

Niall couldn’t see her any longer. But he could feel her presence behind him as they entered the hall. Clan MacKinlay crests everywhere, the hall similar in size to their own, the air more oppressive with every step. . . ’twas a feeling he could not put words to. He did not care for being here, in a place he’d heard so much about, none of it good.

“I would offer for you to break your fast,” the chief said, “but we’ve done so already.”

And they would not choose to break their fast with them either way. That part was left unsaid, but ’twas just as well. He and his brother had no wish to remain any longer than necessary.

The chief of MacKinlay made his way to the dais. Niall turned to look and found only about seven or eight warriors had followed, likely members of the clan council. And her.

Lady Avelina. A fitting name, as beautiful as the woman herself. Light brown hair, unbound. Brown eyes, as deep as they were bright. Cheeks he would dearly love to grab with both hands as he held her head firmly before kissing her. She was unmarried, but Niall knew little else about her. Except, of course, that he should not be thinking of the chief of MacKinlay’s sister in such a way.

There she was.

Lady Avelina followed her brother up onto the dais, where three chairs were positioned facing them. No table, as it had likely been taken away after the meal. As the other MacKinlay warriors gathered, the chief, Lady Avelina, and another man all took their seats.

He tore his gaze from the woman who had intervened on their behalf for reasons he could only speculate about and focused instead on the man to the chief’s left.

“My second,” MacKinlay said by way of introductions. “Tell me about these cattle.”

Niall ignored the angry glares all around them.

“We received word, as I said, that MacKinlay cattle were found grazing on Duncraig land along the northern border. Before coming here, my brother and I verified the fact.” He pointed behind the chief’s head toward the crest on a tapestry that hung high on the stone wall. “That was the brand, or a simplified version of it, we found on nearly two dozen of the cattle openly grazing there.”

“On the northern border of your land?”

His skepticism was warranted, but unwelcome.

“Aye,” his brother said, likely sensing Niall’s irritation.

“You questioned Mackenzie?” the chief asked.

“Of course,” he said, to the chief’s irritation. But Niall had not come here to coddle the man. He came here for answers. “Would you care to tell us why, then?”

As MacKinlay exchanged a glance with his second, Niall snuck a peek at the woman. She was watching him. Nay, staring at him. Boldly. Something told him ’twas her way, that Lady Avelina was as intimate with boldness as he was with rarely showing emotion—something his mother complained about endlessly as if doing so might change him.

“Why our cattle grazed on your land? ’Tis simple. They did not,” the second, Fergus, said.

Niall would not let that stand. “You call my brother and me liars? We saw the brand ourselves.” His raised voice echoed through the hall. Tensions, which had already been high, remained so.

“I say no MacKinlay would do such a thing,” Fergus continued. “We’ve avoided another war with your clan for fifteen years. Why would we provoke one now?”