Chapter One

Chapel near Gunn’s castle, June 1691.
Laird William Gunn & Elspeth Munro’s wedding.

Abducting a bride on her wedding day was something Laird Keane Mackay would never even have considered a year ago. But as he had learned in painful detail, a lot could change in a year.

Standing at the back of the crowded chapel with his closest friend and trusted advisor, Alisdair Mackenzie, Keane’s stare remained fixed on the altar. His seething anger was barely contained as he clenched his fists to try and control himself. The two were adorned in peasants’ garb to try and blend in, but anyone who gave them more than a passing glance could tell they were warriors.

No matter his attire, Keane could not hide his height and muscular build. His long blonde hair and blue eyes also made him appear more Viking than Scots. While Alisdair was leaner with darker hair, the scar that ran across his jawline betrayed his frequency in combat. In fact, he was one of the best warriors in the Mackay Clan.
But they were not alone. Keane’s men had taken discreet positions. Some inside the chapel, some outside, awaiting his signal. It wouldn’t be long now until he could enact his plan, but as determined as Keane was to see this through, there also sat a nervous tension in his stomach. A tension matched only by his utter hatred of the man standing at the altar awaiting his bride.

The man who had prematurely made Keane laird by striking his father down dead. The man who had ruined his life. Laird William Gunn.

The man who had to die.

The raw urge to launch through the chapel and strike him dead coursed through Keane, and with his jaw tightened, his fists clenched, and his body nearly trembling with rage, he made a desperate attempt to control himself.

But then, he felt Alisdair’s firm and steady hand press against his arm.

His close companion did not need to speak, for Alisdair’s thoughts were loud and clear.

“Nae yet. Gunn is too heavily protected.” He nodded to one of the many attentive guards stationed against the stone wall. “A direct confrontation now would be reckless and ruin our plan. As difficult as it is, ye must contain yer rage, my friend.”

Keane took a deep breath in to steady himself. Alisdair was right, but then, he usually was. Keane had not chosen him as his advisor simply because they were lifelong friends. His decision had been based upon the fact that Alisdair had always been the rational counterbalance to Keane’s intensity.

Ordinarily, they would speak freely, but under these circumstances, Keane’s gift worked in their favor. He and his younger sister, Iseabail had both been born with powers, passed down from the mystical lineage of their mother. While his sister had the ability to compel people, to have them do whatever she wanted, Keane was able to read a person’s thoughts by mere touch.

Alisdair now looked at Keane, his thoughts backed by a furrowed frown of concern. There had been many conversations between them since his father died. Alisdair, always upfront and straight to the point, had warned Keane that his obsession with revenge had become all-consuming, causing a darkness to swallow him and push him beyond restraint.

“Yer relentless grief has altered ye, my friend,” he had said only a few days before, once Keane and his men had set up camp for the night.

But Keane had brushed off his friends’ words.

“What dae ye expect from me?” he had growled. “Surely, if ye were in my position, ye’d be as keen tae avenge yer own father’s death.

Alisdair had slowly shaken his head. “Nae, Keane. This thing that has consumed ye isnae vengeance. It’s obsession. Yer pain is blinding ye. Every thought and every plan revolve around making Laird Gunn suffer.”

“As he should,” Keane spat.

Alisdair had sighed and gazing across the wooded area, he said, “Are ye sure ye want tae go through with this? This lass is innocent.”

“It’s the only way,” Keane growled.

“That ye can see,” Alisdair had countered.

“We’ve gone over this a hundred times, Alisdair. We’re nae backing out now. The wedding is the best chance we’re going tae get. If we steal his bride, it’ll ruin his alliance with the Munro Clan.”

“Maybe, but Elspeth Munro is still innocent,” Alisdair had countered calmly.

“I dinnae care,” Keane had retorted, losing his temper. “Gunn needs this alliance. Without it, he’ll be weakened. Besides, nae being able tae protect his bride will humiliate him, which is the least he deserves.”

“And what happens tae the lass afterwards?” Alisdair had pressed, his own frustration evident in his tone. “Yer hardly going tae keep her locked in a dungeon for the rest o’ her life, are ye? Nae,” he snarled, answering his own question, “she’ll be slaughtered like ye’ve slaughtered every other who’s got in yer way.”

Granted, that was the only part of the plan that Keane was not wholly sold on, but then, there were casualties in any war, wasn’t there? Alisdair might be right. He was consumed. But he was willing to sacrifice any part of himself to see this through. His father’s memory deserved that much.

Now though, as he stood waiting for Gunn’s bride to arrive, thinking of what the end of this day would bring, a flicker of uncertainty crept in.

Can ye really kill an innocent lass? Warriors are different. But a lass?

He shook his head, as though trying to rid his mind of doubt, and clenching his jaw again, his thoughts came back to his objective.

Gunn must suffer. Whatever it takes.

Whispers travelled through the crowd of guests, starting from the back of the old stone building and travelling to the front, eventually bringing the chapel to silence.

This is it. She’s coming.

Keane readied himself for her entrance, noting Alisdair adjusting himself to stand a little straighter beside him. For a few seconds, nothing happened and tension rose in Keane, the anticipation building.

But then, he saw a shadow on the stone floor, and Elspeth Munro came into view. Seeing her, he took a steep breath in. It wasn’t the first time he had laid eyes upon her. The last few weeks, he and his men had followed her, watching her patterns. It had occurred to him that they could snatch her before the wedding, but she was always with guards.

Besides, he had realized later that taking her at the wedding in front of all those in attendance would have a much more dramatic impact, making Laird Gunn’s humiliation a hundred times worse.

Now, though, as she glided towards the altar, dressed far more beautifully than he had ever seen her, she looked almost angelic. Her long, raven-black hair was tied intricately upon her head. She was tall and slender, with a graceful regal beauty. Stunning, in fact, which was the very reason Keane felt almost frozen to the spot.

Catching himself, he pushed his distraction aside.

I only have one purpose here.

Glancing around the chapel, Keane saw that all his men had eyes on him, waiting for the signal. Clenching his fist, he suddenly lifted it in the air, and then, all hell broke loose.

His men yelled out a battle cry, causing gasps from the guests, and while they were distracted, Keane closed the distance between himself and the bride with precise swiftness. Already, he could hear swords clanging above the terrified cries and bellows of those in the crowd, the sounds echoing against the chapel walls. But determined in his resolve, he did not look behind him.

Only a few feet away now, he finally reached the Munro lass and grabbed her, causing her to shriek with fright. With her eyes wide with terror, she gawked at him, while Keane wrapped one arm around her and lifted her off her feet with little effort at all.

Alisdair was close by his side, ready to battle any who tried to stop them, but the fight continued further in the chapel.

“Stop them,” Laird Gunn bellowed, but his voice was drowned out by the yells of fear from the many people and the battle that was going on around him.

But any of Laird Gunn’s men that might have been able to stand in their path, were currently battling Keane’s loyal warriors, and thus, had no chance to get near them. Without any hesitation, Keane ran towards the main doors and out into the light, leaving his men behind.

That was always the plan. They were never going to get out of there together, and thus, Keane had arranged to meet them at a disclosed location when it was all over. His men knew the risks, they also knew to make certain that they were not followed.

While Elspeth Munro was at first, shocked at what was happening, she came round rather quickly once Keane and Alisdair were outside the chapel and making their way to their horses.

“What are ye doing?” she yelled, thumping her fists against Keane’s strong arm. “Let me go this minute. Let me go.”

Keane ignored her, too busy trying to get free of being caught. Their horses were hidden in a dense group of trees not too far away. As good as Keane’s men were, Laird Gunn was certain to give chase, and they needed to be as far away from there as they could manage in the shortest possible time.

But the lass was not making their escape easy, as she clawed and struck him. She caused him little pain, but her writhing about in his arm was making his journey difficult. She was certainly a feisty one.

“Yer going tae pay for this,” she screamed, flailing her arms and trying to punch his face. “Let me go, ye brute. Put me down this minute.”

Still, Keane ignored her, and weaving through the trees, twigs snapping underfoot, the horses soon came into sight.

“There,” he called out to Alisdair, who ran a few steps behind.

Upon reaching the horses, he dropped the woman to her feet, but kept a tight grip on her wrists. It didn’t stop her from writhing, her legs now kicking out, trying to strike him.

“Get the rope,” Keane demanded.

Alisdair frowned. “Dae ye really need—”

“Get it,” Keane spat, turning to glare at his companion.

A second later, Keane roared as an excruciating pain travelled from his groin, splaying out across his body. Elspeth Munro had managed to hit a target, and as Keane bent double, Alisdair burst into laughter.

“Well, that’ll teach ye,” he chuckled.

With a face like thunder, Keane glared at Elspeth. Terror flashed across her face, clearly scared to death at what he was going to do in retaliation.

“Tie her up,” he groaned.

Alisdair bound her wrists, and a minute later, when Keane had recovered from her mighty kick, he lifted her onto his horse, mounting the beast behind her and pulling her back into him.

Keane fed the rope around her waist, before wrapping it around his own. Her thoughts had been crashing into his mind from the minute he had grabbed her, but now, on the cusp of escape, and with her a little more subdued, he could hear her thoughts clearly.

“What is going tae happen tae me? Where is he taking me? Oh, God. What is he going tae dae to me?”

Those same thoughts, among a few others, swam around her head. Clearly, she was terrified, and yet, she had not once voiced her fear. In fact, she had surprised him, for she certainly was not the subdued and submissive bride he had imagined.

Ye didnae ken she had a strength about her.

Indeed, she does.

As much as he nearly hated himself for it, he couldn’t help but admire her character. Most women would have crumpled into sobs of despair by now, but not Elspeth Munro.

That thought lingered with him as he and Alisdair thundered across the glens on the other side of the wooded area, the distance between them and the chapel growing by every minute.

During all his planning, he had been hellbent on killing her, for her death would certainly cause Laird Gunn to suffer. She was a tool in his revenge, a way to destroy the laird. For his father’s sake.

But now, as he had her tied to him and they rode with great speed in their escape, doubt slipped into his mind.

Can ye really kill a woman? She’s innocent. How will ye be any better than Gunn if ye tak’ her life?

Keane had long stopped listening to his conscience. Since his father’s murder, he had changed. Just like Alisdair kept reminding him, he had grown dark in his view, and any rational thought had been pushed aside, seen only as a nagging voice, trying to steer him off his path.

On this occasion, however, his inner voice hit a nerve, and he now felt conflicted.

Should I kill her and complete my revenge once and for all? Or is there another way to make Gunn suffer? Maybe even more.

They travelled for another hour, his thoughts torturing him. On the one hand, he felt weak at keeping her alive. He had been determined in his path all this time. Why now, was he suddenly doubting himself? On the other, his conscience continued to nag at him, telling him he wasn’t a murderer of innocent people, and that there had to be another way.

As dusk neared, and they approached a small village, Keane was still no wiser at what he should do with her. He could only be certain of one thing. The most important thing. Whatever decision he came to, Elspeth Munro now belonged to him.

Chapter Two

The rope dug into her slender frame as the horse thundered across the glen. But as painful as it was, Elspeth Munro – or Elsie if she had any say in it – had bigger things to worry about. Like the fact that she had been snatched by a madman only moments before her wedding vows.

But refusing to show even a hint of fear, every muscle in her body tensed as she did her best to cling to her pride. While she had fought with all her might earlier, her words had fallen on deaf ears, and thus now, she remained stoically silent while desperately trying not to let her imagination run away, thinking about what was going to happen to her.

Of course, she knew who her captor was. In fact, that was the very reason she struggled to contain her fear. Laird Keane Mackay was notorious for his cruelty and remorseless vengeance. It had been one of the reasons she had not been able to leave Laird Gunn’s castle without a heavy guard present with her at all times.

On those occasions, Elsie had thought her betrothed was a little obsessed, until one afternoon, when she had balked against leaving with four or five of his men, Laird Gunn had taken her to the side and opened her mind to what Laird Keane Mackay was actually capable of.

“The man is evil and full o’ hate,” the laird had said. “Tae get tae me, he has already slaughtered more than fifty men. Dae ye think he willnae dae the same tae ye?”

His words had more than shaken her, and since that time, Elsie had not said another word in opposition to her constant guardians. But she now realized that Laird Mackay was far too clever, and instead of trying to snatch her while she was surrounded by strong men, he had taken a far easier option, for she could hardly have those same men accompany her to the altar.

Not that she had ever wanted this marriage to William Gunn. It had been her father who had chosen the alliance. A decision made in her absence and without her consent to strengthen both clans, she a pawn in their game of politics. Still, the thought of being wrenched from that unwanted future and thrust into an even darker fate filled her with both despair and anger.

As they approached a small village ahead, Laird Mackay’s grip on her tightened, as though, now the horses had slowed from their thunderous gallop, he feared she might make an attempt to throw herself off it. Surely, he knew the rope would prevent that from happening.

Or maybe, he’s making certain, now he has ye, that there’s nae chance of ye escaping.

As that thought passed through her mind, Elsie was then hit with inspiration.

I dinnae have tae jump. I just need tae get someone’s attention.

Immediately, she began scanning for villagers, her eyes trying to catch the attention of those they passed in hope that, by her expression alone, they might realize that she was with this madman against her will.

First, an old couple standing by the doorway of their cottage looked up at the strangers. Pleading wordlessly, Elsie opened her eyes wide, and subtly nodded her head. Please, help me. While the old man squinted, clearly as blind as a bat, the old woman lifted her hand to wave, a crooked smile forming on her lined face. Clearly, neither of them had any clue what she was trying to convey.

Elsie then imagined what she and Laird Mackay must look like, she in her wedding gown, and he, broad as a house with his arms wrapped securely around her, hiding the rope that bound them. His Viking-like looks were striking, as much as she hated to admit it, and thus, from anyone else’s viewpoint, they were a couple just passing through, travelling with their companion.

But she could not give up hope.

I have tae try. I must. I must or I might be dead by the time this day is through.

They passed more villagers, and Elsie tried again, but then, feeling the laird shift, she jumped a little when she felt his lips against her ear.

“Continue what yer doing, and I’ll kill every single one o’ them, and then ye,” he whispered, his tone menacingly low.

She froze at his words, terror coursing through her. Had it been any other saying such dreadful things, she might have questioned their conviction. But this man already had blood on his hands, and thus, she had no doubt of his capabilities.

Could she really live with herself, being the cause of innocent people dying?

Indeed, she could not, and thus keeping her eyes straight ahead, she did not look at one other person. Soon enough, they were through the village and, passing the final house, Elsie nearly breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, however, she felt a hopelessness wash over her, for as they left the village behind, any chance of a quick escape or rescue faded with it. Her stomach clenched and her heart thumped at the thought of what fate awaited her. She had hardly lived her life, and with the unknown ahead of her, and a feeling of unfulfilled sadness, she had to wonder if she would see another day after this one.

As the sun finally descended, the evening breeze brought with it a coldness, and involuntarily, Elsie shivered. A moment later, she found a blanket being tossed in her direction.

With her eyes wide with surprise, she glanced to her right. Laird Mackay’s companion looked at her and then nodded at the blanket. “Put it round yersel’.”

“What the devil are ye doing?” Laird Mackay growled.

“She’s cold,” his companion came back. His voice was calm, showing that he was not at all fazed by the laird’s anger.

“She’ll be a lot colder where she’s going,” the laird spat.

Elsie suddenly gasped at his words, for it was the first admittance of his plans. Fear soared through her, her pulse quickened, and, even with the blanket now wrapped around her, her body trembled.

She was going to die. Likely dumped into a shallow grave, her body covered with cold dirt, and then left to rot where no one would ever find her.

That had been his plan all along. There had been a sliver of hope that, given he was travelling so far away with her, he might only hold her captive. Now, she knew fate. She would never see the light of tomorrow’s dawn.

Half an hour later, a fire in a clearing up ahead caught her eye. Several men were sitting around it, but turning and catching sight of them, they called out.

“It’s the laird.”

Elsie quickly realized that these were Laird Mackay’s men. Men who had been in the chapel. Men who had fought Laird Gunn and his men, while Laird Mackay had snatched her and escaped.

After dismounting, the laird grabbed her at the waist and lifted her down off the horse. Turning to his companion, he said, “Go and see the men, and get yersel’ something tae eat. Oh, and…”

The laird stepped away from her, and leaning into his companion, he whispered something in his ear.

His companion gave Elsie a long look before nodding and turning towards the group around the fire.

While earlier, she had been resigned to the fact she would die, a resigned sadness washing over at the inevitable, now, her heart suddenly thumped in her chest again as she and the laird were left alone. Her body began to tremble as her thoughts ran through her mind.

This is it. He is sending his companion away so he can kill me here with nae one looking.

But as terrified as she was, Elsie grasped onto the last sliver of her pride. If she was going to die, she was going to hold her head up high, for she had done nothing to deserve such a fate. Jutting her chin out, she looked the laird directly in the eye, challenging him to do the same.

He gazed at her for a moment, and then took hold of the blanket she held tightly in her grip. Shaking it out, he then threw it around her shoulders.

Elsie’s eyes flew wide in surprise, and then her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Let’s go,” he growled, taking her by the arm and leading her around the camp, separating her from the others.

For a second, she had not understood, but clearly, she had got it wrong. The laird was not going to do the deed where she stood. Instead, he was leading her away from the others and was going to kill there.

When he finally brought her to a stop, Elsie, kept her head high, readying herself for her end. But Laird Mackay only remained standing there, looking at her. His calmness was both unnerving and extraordinary. How could a man about to commit such an atrocity show no emotion at all?

Taking his dirk from his belt, he stepped forward. Elsie held her breath, her heart thumped in her chest, and her body trembled, betraying her brave facade. Still, she tried with all her might not to show him fear, even as she could feel tears prickling in her eyes.
He grabbed her wrists, and unable to help herself, Elsie closed her eyes.

This is it. I am tae die here.

But then, as she remained standing, waiting, she suddenly felt the binds around her wrists loosening. Blinking her eyes open, she glanced down and noticed that he had sliced through the rope. While she rubbed the soft flesh where it had dug into her skin, the laird tossed it on the ground beside her.

Confusion, once more, rushed through her mind as she tried to understand what was happening.

Is this some kind of trick? Can he nae take my life if I am bound?

Behind him, one of his men approached and held out a skin of water and a portion of bread to her. Elsie was now entirely confused.

Is this my last meal? What is going on? This doesnae mak’ any sense.

But then, her brows furrowed and she eyed the offered food with suspicion. Shaking her head, she refused to take it. If the man was going to kill her, she would make him feel it. She was not going to make it easy for him by eating poisoned food or water.

The laird was watching her closely, and with a sigh, he said, “Poisoning someone who is already at my mercy would be beneath me.”

The words were spoken with grim indifference, and thus, she felt no relief. Instead, she felt a further chill run over her as he continued.

“Ye are here for one reason, and one reason only,” he said, his voice as cold as ice. “I must avenge my father’s death and make Laird Gunn suffer, as I have suffered. As my clan has suffered. As my men have suffered. Yer death will annul the alliance between Gunn and yer father, which will weaken and humiliate him. Nae man wants tae be remembered as a person who cannae protect his woman. But the loss o’ the alliance will destroy him more. And that is exactly what I intend tae dae. Destroy him.”

His brutal logic shook her to her very core. He would murder her, just to get back at Laird Gunn. Granted, she realized by his words, that Laird Gunn must have killed his father, but the lack of emotion the man possessed about taking another’s life was astonishing.

The laird sighed and dropped his gaze. “I ken this is unfair. I ken ye have caused me nae hurt, and thus…”

But he did not finish his sentence. As she watched his expression, she was certain she saw something flash across his face. Hesitation, perhaps. A flicker of doubt in his conviction. She had to use that. She had to try.

“Ye are right, my laird,” she replied quickly, trying to keep the tremble from her voice. “I have nae caused ye any harm. I am simply a pawn being used by my father and Laird Gunn tae align the clans. I would never bring any harm tae anyone, and tae my knowledge, never have.”

Driven by a deep-seated instinct for survival, she was desperately trying to shift the course of her fate with her words, trying to appeal to something within him, anything that might change his mind.

“Surely, my laird, ye, in yer wisdom could afford me a chance at life. Ye are avenging yer father’s death, which is honorable, but surely, taking an innocent life isnae honorable at all.”

Elsie jumped with fright when the laird took a swift step forward and grabbed her hand. Once more, her heart thumped in her chest, as he, only inches away from her, glared down at her. She had been so certain she had seen something in him, but maybe her words had fallen on deaf ears.

Oh, God, please. Please have mercy. Clearly, ye are pained, but ye dinnae have tae be cruel.

Her thoughts rushed through her mind as though he might hear them, but, of course, he could not. All her begging had proven useless, and perhaps now, it really was her end. And yet, the man just stood there, gazing at her.

Elsie tried to read his expression, desperate to see if her words had made any impact at all. And then, his gaze softened, only slightly, but it softened all the same. Perhaps there was some hope after all.

After another moment, he dropped her hand from his. Elsie kept her gaze on him, certain that something had shifted in his eyes, as though he had gained some clarity, or made a decision.

“Ye are right,” he said. “Ye hold nae fault here. Instead, I propose an alternative.”

Oh, thanks be tae the gods.

“Rather than taking yer life,” he continued, “I will marry ye.”

What?

Her eyes flew wide and her mouth fell open as she gawked at him in astonishment. So stunned was she, she at first, did not know how to react. Emotions rushed through her as she tried to assimilate his words, and eventually, she could not decide if she felt relief or horror. For a certainty, she was now going to keep her life, but at what cost?

His words were like a heavy strike as she absorbed the twist in her fate. She had never wanted to marry Laird Gunn, but to be forced to marry Laird Mackay, to be bound to a man so ruthless and cold was going to be a living nightmare, a prison she could never free herself from.

And then, as she was standing there, thinking about her fate and the strange turn her life had suddenly taken, a further realization washed over her.

I will never be his wife, nae really. I will spend my life being used as a weapon. A weapon he can wield against Laird Gunn and my own people. A lifelong sentence with nae end.

And yet, it is that, or death.

And thus, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her life had hardly been a delight, but never had she been pressed with two such dreadful choices. She could try to run, but Elsie had no doubt he would hunt her down. After that, he would certainly kill her. And if she did run, where would she go? Her family would think she had been ruined, and thus, they would refuse to take her back. Besides, she couldn’t face the shame of returning and facing their judgement. Especially not from her father, who already deemed her worthless.

I have nae choice. I have naewhere tae go.

The bitterness of that realization burned through her, and in that very moment, hate grew in her heart for Laird Mackay. She might be still alive, but he had ruined her life forever. Perhaps death would be a better option after all.

Ye are better than that. Besides, things change. Lairds go intae battle, dae they nae? Or even better, Laird Gunn will want his own revenge. Dinnae be so quick tae give yer life, Elsie. The future isnae yet set in stone.

“Fine,” she finally spat. “But there is a provision tae my agreement.”

“Which is?” he pressed, eyeing her carefully.

“Ye will never bed me,” she snarled firmly.

There might still be a chance that, if she did escape, she might be able to return to her clan. But only if she was not ruined. Of course, there was little chance that the laird would heed her word, but she had to try.

To her utter surprise, Laird Mackay burst into laughter. Elsie did not understand his reaction at all, but was somewhat grateful that her demand had not evoked his anger again.

“As ye wish,” he said eventually. Which surprised her even more. “I dinnae need a wife tae fulfill me. Besides,” he said, sneering at her “when ye are yearning for me, ye can ask me and I’ll share yer bed.”

Elsie could only feel disgust at his arrogance, and clenching her teeth, she scowled at him.

Like that is ever going tae happen.
 

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