“My home!” Makenna hissed through gritted teeth. She shrugged Laurel’s arms off her and bunched her fists. “How dare they!”

Ceridwin bit her bottom lip and fought back tears. “It may be only one person. Perhaps, Lela…”

“Aye, it was Lela, but there were others. Others who knew what she was planning and did nothing about it.”

Laurel took a deep breath knowing that if this had occurred in her home, she would be just as furious. “You need to tell Colin, Makenna. It’s time he knew the full extent of what has been happening. And while you have every right to be angry, you must calm down. You are too early into your pregnancy. I have seen more than one woman lose her babe under emotional stress.”

Makenna took several deep breaths. “You are right. I will not let them take my child from me. And it is time I told Colin what is happening. He is planning something and should know.”

Laurel let go the deep breath she was holding. “Ceridwin and I will check the other unused rooms and then meet you in the hall.”

Makenna nodded in agreement and then left.

“Should we go with her?” Ceridwin asked, looking a little alarmed.

“What if it were you and Drake?” Laurel countered.

“Aye, I’d want to be alone.”

“Just know that the next time you see Colin, his anger is not at Makenna, but for her. I hope the Dunstans are ready, because very soon, I doubt it will matter anymore to Colin if they are.”


Makenna knocked and then opened the door to Colin’s dayroom located on the second floor of Canmore Tower. With Colin were his brother, Drake, Dunlop, and few other men she recognized from Conor’s guard.

Colin was surprised to see her and waved her over. As Makenna neared, the expression on her face conveyed more than any words she could have uttered. “What’s wrong?” he demanded softly.

Makenna shivered at the coldness in his voice. “There has been another incident. Someone wrecked Ula’s room. The tapestries were ripped, most of the bedding was ruined, and what was of any value was stolen. Very little can be salvaged. Laurel is right now with Ceridwin investigating the other unused rooms of the castle.”

Conor waved at Seamus. “Go find Laurel and do not leave her side until I say otherwise.”

Makenna watched as the tall, thin, handsome man left the room. Horrified that she left her friend in harm, she asked, “My God, Colin, is Laurel in danger?”

“No, but it would ease Conor’s mind to know that she is protected.”

Makenna crumpled into the empty seat vacated by Seamus. “This is my fault. It was my decision not to maintain the vacant rooms. It was my decision not to tell you everything that has been happening.”

“There is more?”

She nodded. “I’ve only been telling you some of the things that have occurred, but there have been many harrassments. Until today, they have been aggravating, but relatively minor. But Ula’s room…it was a deliberate attack against you and me. I could rip Lela’s hair out by the roots. I know it was her.”

Colin moved in close and clasped her fingertips in his hands with gentle authority. She didn’t realize how cold she was. “Listen to me, none of this is your fault. I will take care of this. You are not to do anything. I know you want to find Lela, but don’t. I need you to trust me.”

Before she could answer, Colin rose and leaned against his fists on the round table in the room. “Drake, you were about to tell me about last night. How many?”

Makenna stared at the muscles in Colin’s back, tense underneath his leine. She was seeing the strategic Colin, the planner. Last night he had been father and husband, and she had seen him as laird in many circumstances, but this was the first time she had witnessed him as a warrior preparing for battle.

Drake sat across the table. His jaws were clenched together. “At least a hundred have moved in across the loch. They haven’t budged since they arrived at daylight.”

“They’re waiting for a signal,” Conor surmised.

Drake nodded in agreement. “Aye, we think so. We didn’t want to risk being seen to find out.”

Colin turned toward Dunlop. “And what did you discover?”

The guard stopped stroking his chin. It was clear that he, too, was very disturbed at the timing of Makenna’s news. “Just as you suspected. He has help from at least two clans, but neither leader is going public with his support. We saw several changing into MacCuaig colors.”

“How many men?”

“Two, possibly three hundred of his forces are waiting in plain view just outside the southern border of Dunstan lands, perhaps two hours out on horseback. No doubt there are many more hidden.”

Colin bent his head and studied the grain on the table for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was full of authority and decision. “Drake, move the men along the ridge and wait for my signal.”

“Today, then?”

“Aye,” Colin answered solemnly. “It is time for the Dunstans to learn the might of my sword and the meaning of its absence. My wife and child will be with people of honor, and if the Dunstans cannot find their integrity, Lochlen is theirs; I want it no longer. Move all the men along the ridge.”

“All the men?” Dunlop asked, somewhat surprised.

“Every last one of them. When it is time, I want only a sea of McTiernay soldiers to be in sight.” Dunlop inclined his head and left with Drake.

Conor rose with easy confidence. “I’ll order my men to remain hidden in the hills. I’ll talk to Laurel and then will meet you at the stables. I’m sending Laurel to my forces when I leave. Do you want Makenna to go with her?”

Standing, Makenna reached out and grasped Colin’s arm. “Colin, what is happening?”

Colin turned and said, “My hope is to mend this clan and bring them together, united under my leadership. I might have been willing to remain here until they were ready. Now I no longer care. Only you and the baby are important. I like Lochlen, I admire the Dunstan determination, but I will no longer stand by and wait while they persecute my family. Today, your clan will either prove they trust me, or you, my men, and I will leave.” He brushed his mouth lightly across hers before adding, “I need you to prepare to leave immediately. Pack only what is necessary and meet Laurel and Ceridwin by the gatehouse. Four soldiers will be waiting to take you three to Lammermuir Hills, where Conor’s force is waiting.”

“But would it not be better, safer, to remain here?”

Colin chuckled, pulling her close. “There are over a hundred of Conor’s men in those hills. You will be quite safe there.”

Makenna shrugged within his embrace and rested her head against his chest. “Your force may be smaller, Colin, but I am quite sure I would be just as safe with your men as I would be with Conor’s.”

Colin gripped her head between his hands and kissed her forehead with a surge of exasperation and pride. “My force is not smaller, love. Over a thousand of my men are lining up on that ridge. Men loyal to me, not the Dunstans. And if I pull out of Lochlen, I want you already safe and gone. Trust me.”

Makenna gave him one last hug, praying that her people heard what he had tried to tell them last night. Heard and paid heed to the warning.


Makenna was packing her bag when she remembered Camus. She quickly dashed out of the tower and across the courtyard. There was one more thing she had to get. She refused to leave without it. And, if possible, give it to Colin before he faced her people.

Laurel saw Makenna heading toward the inner gatehouse and moved to intercept her. “Makenna, over here! I am waiting for Ceridwin to finish packing. She is coming with us.”

Makenna gave a curt nod of gratitude for taking care of her new friend. “I must get to the armory before Colin leaves.”

Laurel put out a hand to stall her. “The armory? I don’t think…”

Makenna’s smile was without humor. “You don’t understand, but you will. I have to hurry if I am going to catch up with Colin. He was going to the stables when I went to pack.”

“Makenna, Conor said that you were to come with us. He was very clear.”

“Once I leave the armory, I am going to try one last time to convince Colin to let me ride with him.”

“But…”

Makenna’s eyes were the color of jade, firm, resolute and unbending. “I ask you, Laurel, truthfully. Would you not try to be with Conor, show him loyalty, visibly support his decision, if you could? You told me once I might have to choose between Colin and my people. I have chosen. I will always love this land, Lochlen, and my clan, but my loyalties lie first and foremost with my husband. Please say you understand.”

Laurel blinked away tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes, if it were Conor, I would want to be there.”

Makenna clasped Laurel’s hands, thanking her. “I promise to return immediately to the stables if Colin says no. I won’t argue, I promise. Ten minutes is all I need. If I do not meet you there, then you will know that I have persuaded him to let me come.”

Laurel embraced Makenna, fighting a growing sense of unease. “Hurry, Makenna,” she whispered. “Ceridwin and I will wait for you.”

Makenna gave one last squeeze before letting go. “I will and take care, my newest sister.”

Laurel watched as Makenna disappeared through the last portcullis hurrying toward the right. Moments later Ceridwin and she headed toward the stables and waited.


Colin marched across the outer yard heading for the stables. Dunlop met him halfway and handed him the reins of his horse. He had seen Colin in many moods, but the cold anger that had flared to life that morning would chill anyone who looked upon him, even his own men.

Retrieving the leather strips held out for him, Colin looked up. The dark sky was overcast, but it was not yet raining. Most likely, it would not break loose until nightfall, and then it would rain heavily. One way or another, this matter would be closed by then.