Page 117 of Intrigued By A Highlander

He surveyed the scene with disinterest, then dismounted in one fluid motion, his black cloak sweeping out behind him. His eyes found Dru for a moment—calculating, detached—and then he turned to Callan and Hakon.

“This ends now.”

Callan drew his shoulders back in a gesture of strength. “You overreach, Torrance. Autumn is my granddaughter, and she is coming home with me.”

Torrance’s lips curled slightly. “Your claim means nothing and neither does the proposal you left with Brack. My half-sister’s fate lies in my hands and my hands alone.” He turned to Hakon. “You’ll have no wife today. But fight beside me when the time comes, and I’ll see you matched with a wife worthy of your strength.”

Hakon narrowed his eyes and brazenly said, “What if she does not suit me?”

Lord Torrance pointed to Dru. “Anything would be better than that wisp of a thing. You would be lucky to get one good pounding out of her.”

Hakon laughed.

Knox didn’t. He went to step forward, but Dru caught his arm and whispered, “Let them amuse themselves. We are together. Nothing else matters.” She pressed her brow against his back and murmured, “I love you.”

Her words calmed him, and he stayed as he was, eager to have his wife in his arms soon.

Torrance faced Callan. “You’ve overstepped, attacking a clan under my protection. I’m coming for your lands.”

The words struck like a hammer. Callan’s face twisted in rage. “You smug bastard! You think you can take everything from me?” He surged forward, weapon drawn, eyes wild.

Knox was faster.

He stepped between Torrance and Callan with deadly calm, sword already in hand.

Steel clashed, sparks flared, and Dru’s heart dropped into her stomach.

But Knox was an exceptional warrior. He moved with purpose, every blow calculated, every step solid. Callan fought with fury—sloppy, burning, desperate.

The final blow came swift, a sharp feint, a pivot, and then steel through flesh. Callan crumpled, gasping, disbelief etched across his face as blood pooled beneath him.

Silence followed, broken only by the soft whimper of the wind.

Knox stood over him, chest heaving, blade still in hand, relieved Callan would threaten Dru no more. Now there was only Torrance left to face.

Lord Torrance stepped forward, giving the fallen man one last cold glance before turning to Knox. “Well done.”

He turned to issue orders, his strong voice loud and clear and his words meant to be obeyed.

“Take your chieftain’s body and return home. I expect you to pledge your allegiance to Clan Glencairn or you will feel my wrath.” He looked at Hakon. “A woman will be sent to you soon. Now take your leave and do not show yourself on my land again without permission.”

All obeyed without delay, some of Lord Torrance’s warriors breaking off into two groups. One to follow Callan’s warriors and the other trailing Hakon and his men.

Torrance walked over to Dru, Knox stepping to her side, his arm going around her waist.

He stood towering over her, his expression cold. “It’s time to meet your fate, little sister.”

CHAPTER 31

The Great Hall of Clan MacFadin was quiet, too quiet. The kind of silence that hummed with barely leashed fury. Torches lined the walls, and the hearth roared with flames, but the fire’s glow did little to chase away the cold knot forming in Dru’s stomach.

She stood at Knox’s side, his hand resting at the small of her back. His touch grounded her, but it couldn’t shield her from the storm brewing at the dais.

Lord Torrance paced before the high-backed chair behind the long table there, his hands clasped behind is back and his boots striking the wood floor with measured menace. His anger had mounted when he learned how many warriors he had lost, how many were left wounded, including Brack, though he would survive. He glared and snapped at servants who moved too slowly or too close and the servants did their best to avoid him.

“He’s going to separate us,” Dru whispered, barely loud enough for Knox to hear.

Knox’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t let go of her since they entered the hall. “He’d have to kill me first.”

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