that matched his sallow, pocked skin.
Anna stared at him for a moment, trying to form words. “Who are you, and why have you imprisoned me?” Her voice was no more than a dry croak.
An evil twist spread across his face. “We are to be wed, my pet.”
She stared at him in disbelief, her breath hitching. “Wed? I am betrothed to Duncan MacGregor. The banns have been called. Who are you?”
His smile widened into something more sinister. “Aye, well ye are here, now. Our marriage will give ye the opportunity to replace what ye took from me.”
“I have no idea what you speak of. I will never marry you.”
His smile hardened into a sneer. “Ye will marry me and bear my heir.” The effort he had made to remain calm dropped, his tone a snarl. “Take her.”
The two guards placed manacles on her ankles and wrists, and half-walked, half-dragged her out of the dungeon. Her head throbbed and dizziness overwhelmed her, making her unsteady on her cold, bare feet.
They ascended a long stair, through a heavy door, arriving outside into the full sun. The brightness blinded her, increasing the stabbing pain in her head. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the light, Anna saw they walked toward a chapel. She realized his intent, but knew he couldn’t legally force her to marry. They would have to kill her. In her present condition, it would be a short journey to death.
The man faced her. “Consider yer words carefully, my pet. Yer choices will decide how ye are treated from here on. Either way, ye will bear my heir—that much is certain. A legitimate heir is preferable, but a bastard will do.” His lips returned to their sneer, and his over-bright eyes proclaimed his madness.
Anna blanked her expression, saying nothing. As they entered the stone structure, a priest stood at the altar. His expression went from one of nervousness to horror when he took in her appearance and shackles.
Anna’s captor inclined his head to the priest. “Father, ’tis time.”
The priest glanced quickly at the man, swallowing whatever words came to him, and began the ceremony.
Anna was caught in her worst nightmare, forced into marriage to an evil man who only wanted her to bear his son. Closing her ears to the priest’s words, she clung to her love for Duncan. She chose to ignore their bitter parting, replaying only pleasant events in her mind, controlling her instinct to panic.
“Do ye, Baen MacNairn, solemnly vow…”
MacNairn! She was captured by the MacNairn laird? What he’d said earlier now made sense. He’d somehow discovered she’d killed his son, Adair, when he’d stolen Nessa. Her gaze locked onto his face. He gave her toothy smile.
The priest turned from MacNairn and now spoke to her. “Do ye?”
Steeling her gaze, Anna answered, “No, I do not. I would rather die than marry a beast such as this.”
The priest’s eyes bugged outward in terror and he shrank back.
MacNairn turned to the holy man. “Thank ye, father. Yer services are no longer required.” Grabbing her arm, he roughly dragged Anna back to her cell. Throwing her down, he slammed the door. “Rot in here a few more days. Ye will soon beg me to marry ye.” He spat on her, turned and left.
Chapter 25
By the end of the third day, Duncan ensured all were in place and ready for attack. Sweeping through the village took less than a day, as MacNairn had left few soldiers to protect his people. Most of his warriors gathered behind his stone walls, guarding his worthless hide. The villagers gave little resistance once they saw the size of the combined force mounted against them, and several voiced relief to discover an army had come to remove their laird from his fortress, welcoming the end of his rule of neglect and cruelty.
It took all the discipline Duncan possessed to stay in position outside the walls, knowing Anna was imprisoned there. He feared he would lose his mind from worry, anxiety gnawing a fiery hole in his belly. MacNairn had held his Anna, his heart, for four days. Anything could have happened to her, if indeed she still lived.
The lairds and captains assembled for a meeting. After much discussion, Kenneth MacGregor took control and they formulated a plan.
“We will wait until midnight to begin the assault. With four trebuchets positioned around the walls, the attack will come from three sides. Two will focus on the front gate and wall where the main MacNairn force gathers. They will think