AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He paused on the path towards the large doors of the keep, leaning against the battlement wall and bumping the crown of his head lightly against the stone. What was he going to do now? After all this time, he wished his father was here to guide him. Aindreas chuckled, finding the irony behind it amusing. He had spent the last several years painstakingly going against his father, and now he wanted the old man’s advice.
Aindreas grit his teeth, feeling a sob threatening to escape. He needed to remain strong. He couldn’t be seen as weak, not when they had the MacAlisters to battle and the Cambels within their walls. The Cambels, Aindreas thought while closing his eyes. What was he going to say? What was he going to do? He needed to speak with Laird Cambel, smooth things over with him.
Now that his father was no longer alive, he could do what he wished: marry Sorcha, ensure he became laird.
“Ye must marry her. Promise me ye will marry her.”
Aindreas clamped his eyes shut at the sound of his father’s voice whispering in the back of his skull. Tears dripped from his eyes while he shook his head. He couldn’t follow his father’s final commands. He just couldn’t. Not when the lairdship hung in the balance. The clan needed him more now than ever before.
How could he marry someone who wasn’t a noble when the MacAlisters could attack at any moment? Did his father want Daniel to become laird? Is that why he offered Daniel to Sorcha rather than Aindreas? Daniel wasn’t a fool, yet he wasn’t as practiced as Aindreas, who had given his heart and soul in order to become well trained for the honorable duty. If the lairdship fell in his hands, Aindreas was certain the MacBean clan would fall to the MacAlisters. Daniel just wasn’t suited for leadership. He was loyal, he was fearless, but he was not commanding.
Nae, he had to marry Sorcha. Only then would everything fall into place.
“Sorry, Father,” he whispered, more to himself. “I cannot do what ye asked of me.”
He wiped the tears from his eyes and straightened from the wall, brushing the wrinkles from his shirt. His eyes lingered on the blood staining the fabric, and he was once again reminded of his father collapsing. He forced those thoughts from his mind and stalked through the courtyard into the keep, not knowing where to go, only knowing he needed something.
Nae someone.
Clenching his jaw, he realized he was searching for Blair. He didn’t know why. It was foolish to go to her after what happened the night before after he made it so plainly obvious this morning his wishes to marry Sorcha.
Nevertheless, he needed her. He needed to wrap his arms around her, pull her close, bury his face into her hair and breathe in her warmth. His steps paused on the spiraling staircase, his heart weeping as sobs echoed, passing through him and weakening his bones as if it was the wind and not the sounds of someone crying. He pressed on, his eyes widening when he found Blair in Daniel’s arms.
Aindreas hid behind the wall, his gaze peeking out, narrowing on Daniel’s fingers stroking her hair tenderly, his forehead pressing against hers.
“Sssh,” he shushed gently, “all will be fine, sweet lass. Don’t cry.”
Aindreas felt his heart pang as he watched Blair nuzzle her face against Daniel’s.
“I just can’t believe he’s gone,” she sobbed. “I should have tried harder. I should have been there for him.”
“Ye could have done nothing for him. It was his time to go.”
Of course, she would go running to Daniel, Aindreas thought with a dark scowl. Daniel was kind to her. He had done no wrong, unlike himself, who had led her on. Aindreas watched her hands tighten around Daniel, hating them for looking so well together, hating himself for letting her go.
He turned on his heel, stalking down the staircase while cursing himself. Throwing open the doors, he stalked toward the barracks, finding the person he needed in the courtyard, fighting against a young squire.
“Marcus!” Aindreas shouted.
Marcus held up his hands, the squire stopping his attack. The boy turned towards Aindreas, staring up at him in wonder and awe, reminding Aindreas briefly of a time when he looked upon his father the same way. He shook those thoughts away. He had no time to mourn.
Now was the time to act.
Marcus sheathed his sword and dipped into a curt bow. “Aye, my laird.”
Aindreas bristled at the new title, not quite used to hearing it from Marcus’s lips. It was too soon to be calling him such words, given that his father had yet to be buried, but maybe it was for the best. Battle was nearly upon their home. They needed to act quickly.
“The both of ye come forth,” he said, watching the squire stumble forward.
The squire bowed low. “Yes, my laird,” he said, his voice cracking due to his age. He was tall and gangly, nearly a man, yet lacking the experience. He lifted his gaze, staring keenly back at Aindreas, waiting for his orders.
“Send for Laird Cambel. Have him meet me,” Aindreas paused, about to say his father’s study. He grimaced and quickly shook his head. “Have him meet me in the great hall. Don’t let him leave. We have many things to discuss.”
The squire’s head bobbed vigorously up and down while he smacked his fist to his chest. “Yes, my laird,” he said while turning on his heel. “Of course, my laird.” Aindreas frowned while watching him run through the courtyard.
Marcus’s brow furrowed in worry. “And what if Laird Cambel questions it?”
Aindreas shook his head. “He won’t. He wants this alliance as much as I do.”
