*
Brynna melted into the darkness. She was suddenly grateful for a life in a brothel, for she’d learned young to sit out of sight but to always, always wait until her mistress was in bed before she sought her own sleep.
The Grants crept past her as she held her breath. She had her hand pressed tightly to her lips when Cora screamed.
She remained silent. The Grants closed around their leader. Brynna silently kicked off her shoes before she gripped her skirts and started down the passageway, hugging the wall as she went. The hall had never been so far away.
*
Lirkin was studying her face. Cora bared her teeth at him.
“I killed yer husband, so ye, are me spoils.”
“Ye promised.” Bayrd emerged from the darkness. “Ye swore ye’d deal with the witch if I allowed ye inside the stronghold.”
Lirkin looked toward Bayrd. “Only a man weak enough to turn traitor to his own blood would fear a little heat in his bed.”
There was a gurgle, and then the end of a sword emerged from the man’s body. He looked down at the blood coating the blade. Bayrd looked at Lirkin. “Ye…black-hearted bastard.”
Blood soaked the front of his shirt before Bayrd slumped to the floor, his eyes rolling upward.
“That is the only payment a traitor deserves,” Lirkin informed his men.
There was a round of hushed amusement.
“I’m going to enjoy ye, Cora Mackenzie, before yer husband is even cold.” Lirkin smirked at her.
“Better think again, ye bastard.”
A familiar arm hooked Cora by the waist. She feared she was imagining the feel of Faolan pulling her back against his hard body.
But his scent was there to confirm who it was.
So was the fresh blood.
Cora looked up to see Faolan thrusting the same sword Lirkin had used on Bayrd. Faolan’s face was hard, but his eyes glowed with satisfaction.
Lirkin let out a hoarse cry. His men had been too far away. They turned, growling out their rage. Faolan held her as he looked at their number.
It was hopeless.
But a new sound came from behind them. A pounding of feet on the passageway stones.
“Defend the McKay!” Yestin cried out.
The twin pools of light gave Cora a glimpse of the McKay Retainers arriving. Their swords were raised above their heads as they charged at full speed into the invaders. The Grants were caught in the section of the passageway that ran between the towers.
Faolan swung her around, pushing her into the stairwell that led up to his chamber. “Climb, lass.”
Men screamed. In the meager light, the battle was a grotesque shadow play where half-lit figures used their swords to cut their enemies to pieces. The scent of fresh blood, with its metallic edge, was so strong it nauseated her.
But she didn’t have time to allow her body to slow her down. Faolan was pushing her up the stairs. Cora struggled against her skirts, yanking them up as some of the Grants turned and ran down the passageway.
“After them!” Faolan ordered.
Light was coming now from every tiny chamber. Doors opened as lanterns were lit. Up on the top of the wall, the bells were being rung to wake all the inhabitants of the stronghold. It was any clan’s greatest fear. An invasion which had managed to make it inside the walls. Now, it was fight or be killed in yer own bed.
From the youngest to the oldest, every McKay answered. Those without swords brought what they had. From pitchforks to fire pokers. The women were no exception. They surged up behind the men, intent on protecting their homes and families.
“Cora…” Faolan growled at her. “Go, lass.”
Cora made it to the top of the tower. She pulled the doors open and stumbled into Faolan’s chamber. He was right behind her but stopped to shut the doors. He shuddered once it was done, his strength beginning to fail him once more.
Candles had been left burning in the chamber. She turned and got a good look at her husband. Blood soaked half his shirt. Lirkin had driven the sword into Faolan’s side.
“Ye must lay down,” Cora ordered him.
“I’ll not be in me bed as there are invaders in me stronghold! Ye are safe now, and I must go back…”
There was a pounding on the door. “It’s Yestin, Laird! We’ve won the day!”
Relief swept through Cora, but it was extremely short-lived. Faolan backed away from the door so his captain might enter. Yestin came in, his shirt splattered with blood. There was a grim look of satisfaction on his face that changed to horror when he looked at Faolan.
Cora felt something inside her shift.
“I said ye need to lay down.” Cora took charge. “I’ll drag ye if I must.”
Faolan grunted at her.
“I’ll help ye, Mistress.”
Lonn and Reece were at the door. They stood for a moment in shock as they looked at Faolan.
“Go on,” Cora told them. “Get him off his feet.”
There was a flurry of activity. Gainor ran back down the stairs, as Lonn and Cora pressed Faolan back.
The wound was worse than she’d feared.
But he gripped her upper arm and pulled her close. Pain was swimming in his eyes. “Cora.”
She held up her hand, stilling the frantic movement inside the chamber. Her belly was clenched tight in horror as she realized Faolan might be speaking his last words.
No.no.no.no…
It was something she couldn’t contemplate.
But she would not let him see her weeping.
Not if it was to be their last moment together.
“I am here, thanks to ye,” Cora spoke clearly.
Faolan’s expression was serious. “Me nieces. The lasses are so young. Protect them. From tonight’s rage. Protect them. They are but…children.”
Cora’s eyes widened with surprise. “I will,” she said. “I promise ye, Faolan.”
His grip slacked. “Go. Before someone slays them in…anger.”
She didn’t want to leave him. Cora found her feet stuck to the floor as she failed to find the strength to leave his side.
“Ye…promised, lass. Go!” Faolan ordered her.
Cora gasped. Drawing in a deep breath, she moved closer until her head was inches from his. “I love ye. Swear ye will no’ leave me alone in this life.”
“Ye are mine, lass,” Faolan said. “Now go. Ye must be the Mistress of the McKay.”
Yestin was cupping her shoulders and pulling her back. Orla had arrived with the medical supplies and the women experienced in healing.
Cora drew in a deep breath and turned around. There was a crowd clustered outside the chamber doors. Cora looked at several of the McKay Retainers.
“Take me to where Noreen’s children are!”
The men didn’t hesitate. Two of them jumped down the stairs first to clear the path while a few more fell into step behind her.
When Cora made it to the ground floor, the Retainers formed a box around her.
“Make way.”
“Clear the path.”
“Allow the mistress through!”
If she’d had time to think. Cora might have noticed she was, in fact, the true mistress of the McKay at the moment. The people in the passageways moved back to allow her to pass. They inclined their heads, offering respect.
The news that she had step-nieces was new to her, but it appeared the McKay knew of the children. Her escort made quick work of taking her to the last tower. All the way at the back of the stronghold.