Page 86 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
She turned to address the crowd as a whole, her voice rising so all could hear. “Alpin’s rule is ended! I claim me rightful place. I am married tae Laird Constantine MacLean will also rule as yer laird in all things along with me. Together, we’ll heal the wounds Alpin’s deception has caused and build a future worthy of our clans’ names!”
The cheer that rose from the courtyard echoed off the ancient stones, a sound of pure joy and relief that seemed to lift the very mist from the mountains. People pressed forward to touch her hand, to welcome her home, to celebrate the return of their true leader.
Through it all, Constantine stood at her side, his dark eyes watchful and proud. She’d done it—reclaimed her birthright, exposed Alpin’s lies, and united her people behind her leadership. But more than that, she’d done without being someone’s possession or pawn.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later, MacKenzie Keep
After the ambush and the initial shock of the revelation that Rowena was still alive, Constantine and Rowena had ridden back to Duart. Only when order was restored did they turn their faces north again, toward MacKenzie ground.
Then, for the first time since Alpin’s death, they came not as hunted souls, but as laird and lady, called to sit in Council with her kin.
The MacKenzie great hall had been stripped of Alpin’s trappings, yet the memory of his false rule lingered in the very stones.
Rowena could feel the weight of history pressing down on her as she crossed the threshold and walked toward the great hall. Generations of MacKenzie lairds had ruled from that room, including her father, whose portrait still hung above the massive fireplace with its kind eyes and strong jaw.
Now it was her turn.
The long oak table that dominated the center of the hall bore fresh scratches from where Alpin had carved his initials during his brief, stolen reign. Rowena traced one of the marks with her fingertip, her jaw tightening at the casual arrogance it represented. He’d tried to erase her family’s legacy and write his own in its place, but the ancient wood would outlast his memory just as her bloodline had outlasted his ambition.
“Ready?” Constantine asked quietly, appearing at her shoulder. He’d dressed formally for the occasion, in dark wool and clan colors, but his sword still hung at his side.
Rowena straightened, smoothing the fine green wool of her own gown. She’d chosen to wear her mother’s emeralds today, the stones catching the light from the tall windows as they settled around her throat. Not as ornamentation, but as armor.
“Aye,” she replied, her voice steady. “I’m ready.”
The MacKenzie elders filed in with the measured steps of men who’d weathered many storms not yet certain the latest one was truly over.
Carson led them, his face showing something that might have been hope. Behind him came Alex MacKenzie, her father’s old war captain, and Craig, who’d managed the clan’s finances for longer than Rowena had been alive.
They took their seats around the table with careful formality, their eyes moving between Rowena and Constantine with expressions that ranged from cautious optimism to barely concealed wariness.
Constantine took his place at the head of the table, while Rowena settled beside him, close enough to offer support as his partner.
“Gentlemen, welcome. I believe we have much tae discuss.”
Carson cleared his throat, his gnarled hands folded carefully on the table before him. “Me lady, before we begin, I must speak fer all of us when I say how deeply we regret?—”
Rowena’s word cut cleanly through his apology. “There’ll be nae more self-recrimination in this hall. Alpin was clever and convincing, and he had weeks tae spin his web of lies. Ye acted with the information ye had, trying tae protect our people. That’s what good men dae, isnae it?”
The relief that flickered across Carson’s face was almost painful to witness. “Thank ye, me lady. Yer faither would be proud of yer wisdom.”
“He’d be prouder if we spent our time building rather than lamenting,” Rowena replied, though her voice gentled at the mention of her father. “Now, tell me the true state of our lands. I need tae ken exactly what we’re dealing with.”
“The border settlements are nervous, me lady. Alpin’s... methods... for maintaining order involved more threats than he had let us on. Some of our people fled rather than endure his rule. They’ll likely return now that word has spread of yer survival, but it’ll take time.”
“And resources?” Craig added gravely. “Alpin emptied the clan coffers tae pay fer his schemes. The gold he spent on mercenaries and false evidence could have fed our people through the winter.”
Rowena absorbed the information without flinching, though each revelation struck like a physical blow. “How bad is it?”
“Bad enough that we’ll need tae make hard choices,” Craig replied honestly. “But nae so bad that we cannae recover, given time and careful management.”
Constantine spoke for the first time since taking his seat, his voice measured and thoughtful. “Duart has grain stores we can spare, and our fishing rights extend intae waters that could feed both clans through the lean months.”
“That’s generous,” Carson said carefully. “What would ye ask in return?”
“Naethin’ that isnae already ours by marriage,” Constantine replied with a slight smile. “We seek a true alliance between our peoples. Yer strength adds tae ours, and ours tae yers.”
