Page 92 of Once upon a Summer Night

Nioclas’s eyes turned thoughtful. “If I tell them to be, aye. But what reason do I have to give them, to put their lives at risk? The lady is of no relation to any of us. She holds no importance to this clan, does she?”

Gwen gasped. “So you’d leave her with—with—”

A foul word escaped Colin’s mouth, and he looked at Nioclas, his eyes full of anguish. “Don’t force me, Nick.”

Nioclas watched him steadily. “You know as well as I do, O’Rourke. We don’t fight for those that aren’t ours.”

A moment passed in silence, then Colin’s voice broke as he uttered, “She’s mine, Nick. Only mine.”

Nioclas gave Brianagh a swift, brutal kiss, then charged out with Colin, James, and Reilly.

Ellie satin front of a weak fire, her body shaking from the cold that seeped into her bones.

She had no idea where she was. Or when.

Ellie glanced at the man who sat before her and repressed a shiver of fear. The man himself had a hardness in his eyes. He hadn’t yet spoken to her, and it was beyond unnerving.

He was dressed the same as Colin had been—tunic, léine, leggings, and weaponry. Lots of weaponry.

He said something to her, and she jumped as if struck. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

The man barked out an order, and the other men in the room filed out quickly until it was just the two of them, and the imposing men standing at the entrance.

To keep the others out? Or to keep her in?

She had a sick feeling that she knew the answer to that one.

“I speak some peasant’s English,” the man said haltingly, but confidently. “I am Dylan O’Connell. Ye are Claire MacWilliam, and ye will save us.”

Ellie blinked. “No, I’m not Claire—”

He shook his head and held up his hand. “Ye wear the laird’s colors, and possess the manners of a laird’s daughter. Ye were guarded thusly.”

Ellie let out a frustrated sigh. “I am a guest there. Claire’s with her mother and father right now.”

He slammed the table with his fist. “Your untruths will notserve ye here!” He regained his composure and continued, as though he hadn’t just behaved like a Neanderthal, “I believe ye will make a good wife. I will be a good husband, and ye will be treated with care, unless you choose to be…troublesome.”

Ellie froze, her mouth hanging open.Wife?

“Once we are married, ye will be brought to my chamber, and we will consummate our marriage. Then, with that proof, the battles will cease, and our clans will be united. Do not fear, my lady. I shall ensure your comforts if ye lay willingly.”

“What if I don’t lay willingly?” she whispered.

He shrugged. “Eventually, ye will. And if not, there are many wenches around the castle to attend me once you are swollen with my heir. But for the heir to be…” He struggled to find the right word. “If it is to be legitimate, we must be married immediately. Kevan, one of your new clansmen, has gone to fetch the priest. Ye may continue to pretend not to understand your native tongue—”

“You are the one who isn’t understanding!” Ellie exclaimed, fear intensifying her desperation. “I’m not Claire MacWilliam!”

Dylan stood as well, his height dwarfing her. His tone became harsh. “’Tis done. Ye can go to the altar willingly or not; my priest does not care much what the bride wants. He only wants what’s best for my people.” He drew a breath. “Our people.”

“This is ridiculous,” Ellie sputtered. She stepped away from him. “I’m not marrying you—”

She froze at the sound of blades being drawn from their scabbards. Slowly, she glanced to the doorway. Two guardsmen stood tall, their long, sharp swords crossed in an X.

They didn’t look amused.

Dylan said something to them, and they both nodded once, but didn’t remove their barrier. To her, he said, “We willmake amends to your sire later. But this protects your mother’s clan as well as it does ours. The priest should arrive soon, and though your wedding day may not be as grand as ye might have hoped, I will not hurt ye if ye remain obedient.”

Ellie swallowed her reply as Dylan left. The guardsmen allowed him to pass, but immediately took up their stance once more as the door slammed closed.

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