Page 109 of Promises to Keep

Lady Mairead said, “I hae always believed that without the kingdom we arna safe, or rather, ye, Magnus, and your progeny, arna safe. If someone else is in control of the future, Agnie and this Ian person,theyare in control of all the information that exists on Magnus. So tae answer yer question, Fraoch, if the tables were turned, if there was a family who were once on the throne and they were overthrown — what would ye do, if ye had been the overthrower?”

Fraoch said, “I canna be sure. I would weigh all that I kent on the family tae determine the danger they would be tae me and deal with them accordingly—”

“Let’s say they are a danger tae ye, let’s say, for the sake of argument, that their family is run by a strong patriarch, who has proven himself lethal in the arena, and a powerful matriarch who wants her children tae sit on the throne—”

I said, “You are the matriarch in this scenario?”

Her brow went up, “Nae, ye are the matriarch, Kaitlyn, in all things, I am merely the auld woman who is allowed the governance of the kingdom when ye canna be bothered.”

I said, “See? This is how it goes with you, a compliment and then a stab-in-the-back, it’s infuriating and exhausting.”

She said, with her chin raised, “Tis my way, I canna be expected tae worry on yer emotional reaction, we hae more important things tae do —”

I interrupted to say, “Myemotional reaction? Part of the reason we are in this position is because you were overly emotional about some paintings!”

Lady Mairead glowered, then exhaled. “Taecontinue, Fraoch, if this were the type of family that was opposed tae ye, what would ye do — deliberate?”

“Nae, I would act.”

“Magnus, would ye make sure the overthrown king and his family wouldna seize power again? Ye saw with the Scottish pretender and his bloodline that he and his heirs werealwaystrying for the throne. Tis the way of it, would ye allow for it?”

“Nae.”

“Would ye kill the father?”

“Probably.”

“Would ye kill the sons?”

Magnus looked uncomfortable, he shifted and said, “Aye, if I deemed it necessary.”

“Well, ye are about tae hae two sons. I think ye see the danger they are in.”

“I do, I see it.” Magnus shifted again. “What do ye propose we do?”

“I hae been thinking on it long, we must go tae war.”

Magnus groaned. “War? Och nae...” He folded his arms, his brow drawn. “Tae think on the many lives we might lose, ye daena hae a better plan? Ye hae been thinking long and this is the best ye hae? War? And where will I get these men tae fight the war?” He shook his head. “Nae, nae, I canna expect men tae die for me, what if I challenge Ian tae an arena battle?”

“Ye hate arena battles! Ye hae removed arena battles from law!”

“Yet somehow, I keep havin’ tae fight them...”

Lady Mairead continued, “This is nae an issue anyway, Ian would never accept a challenge from ye, why would he? He has the kingdom, he has seen ye in the arena, he kens ye are lethal. Tis out of the question. Ye must come up with another plan.”

He said, “Ye are right — I daena understand how Ian would accept the challenge.” He tapped his fingers on the top of the table.

“And though ye hae won many times, there is always a chance ye will lose, Magnus, ye canna expect tae never be bested.”

“But I am tae declare war with only a few friends and brothers around me? I might lose that as well.”

“Ye hae more than that. I hae associates on the inside, they will be waiting to hear from me.”

“Who?”

“Burton and Wallace.”

Magnus nodded. “I always kent Wallace was in yer pocket.”

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