Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,15
care if they have mine. I stand by my decision, and I will continue to do so. Ye are welcome to tell them that. Better yet, I’ll do it tomorrow on the field. Anyone who doesn’t like the way I handled things is welcome to challenge me,” Alec said evenly. “That includes you, Kane. Now, move. I no longer want to discuss this.”
“I’ll see ye tomorrow on the field, Laird Sinclair,” Kane said mockingly. “Ye best get yer rest.”
The man disappeared into the shadows, and Alec shook his head. It was true that his actions tonight would make things harder for him, but he didn’t want any man who held Seth’s values. And if this helped to eliminate them, then so be it.
4
The men surrounded him, and most were yelling against him. Briefly, he looked up to see a figure standing at the window, watching the scene unfold below. The English lass really was a beauty, and if he wasn’t careful, she’d get him hurt.
Or killed.
Kane’s sword came down hard, and Alec just barely ducked it. He couldn’t help but grin at the men. “Well done. I have to admit, I didn’t expect ye to give me such a good fight. Yer skills are impressive.”
The other man grunted, and Alec knew that his energy was waning. They both knew the fight wouldn’t last much longer, but to Kane’s credit, he didn’t look like he was going to give up.
Alec liked that about the man.
“Breathing hard, Kane. Do ye need a break?” he joked as he brought his sword up. The metal clanked, and Alec grunted under Kane’s strength.
“Yer always running yer mouth. Laird,” Kane said snidely. “Maybe for once, ye’d like to say something worthwhile.”
“As a matter of fact, I would.” Alec ended the fight quickly as he feinted a parry before tripping Kane and bringing the sword to the man’s neck. “I have every right to execute ye right here and now.” Gently pressing the tip of the blade against Kane’s skin, he thought of his options. To show his strength and create a healthy dose of fear in his clan, he ought to kill Kane. It would be the quickest way to squelch any more thoughts of rebellion against him.
The crowd grew quiet, and Alec sighed. Thrusting his sword into the ground, he reached down and offered the man his hand. “But I’ll not because ye have a right to yer opinion. I am not Seth MacKay, and I will not rule like him. I will not use fear to gain yer respect, but I will also not let ye do the same. What I did last night, I did because I am here to protect yer clan. Everyone in yer clan. From the warriors to the servants. I’ll not waiver on that, and if ye cannae accept that, then ye are welcome to leave. With yer head intact."
Kane narrowed his eyes. Rather than taking Alec’s peace offering, he struggled to his feet on his own. “We have a right to be respected,” Kane growled.
“Then do something worth respecting. Show is over. Back to practice,” Alec barked. With a grumble, the men broke back into their teams. Unable to help himself, he glanced back up. Claire was still watching him, but from this distance, he couldn’t see her face. Was she glad that Kane hadn’t delivered a fatal blow?
Was she disappointed?
She disappeared from view, and he turned his attention back to the practice field. They fought more aggressively, as if they’d found a new enemy to fight against.
Him.
Alec knew the job was dangerous, but for the first time, he wondered just how far the MacKay clan would go to remove him from power.
“Watch it!”
Alec whirled around just in time to see a man fall. His partner stumbled, and his sword sank into the fallen man’s body. Alec quickly rushed over and grimaced at the sight.
“Get him inside,” he growled. “Send for the healer.” The wound was in the shoulder, but if they didn’t act quickly, an infection could set in and kill the MacKay man. “What’s yer name?”
“Reid,” the man said through clenched teeth. “And I’m fine. ’Tis naught but a flesh wound.”
“Aye, but ’tis what could come next that bothers me.” He ducked under the man’s good arm and supported him as they made their way into the castle. To his surprise, the woman waiting by the bed wasn’t the healer.
It was Cora.
“Where’s the woman that I asked for?” Alec said tersely.