“Just a note to tell me he supports me…and my favorite tincture to help me sleep,” she said. It wasn’t a complete lie. Kenneth supported her in carrying out an assassination. From the fullness of the bottle, there was enough poison for all four brothers and a tableful of guards to fall into the sleep of death. Thomas, Keenan, Hamish, Hannah, Merida… The idea gnawed in her stomach. She wouldn’t…she couldn’t kill them all. Not even one.

Viola came around, her hand on Ella’s shoulder, bending forward. The woman’s words came quiet, a whisper with a smile. “My wedding gift to ye, milady.” She leaned in toward Ella’s ear. “I will not chase Cain. Joshua sent me to make ye jealous at the Fire Festival, ’twas all.”

Viola pulled back, giving Ella a nod. “Those brothers are tricksters, every one of them.”

Merida snorted, having heard the last part. “Tricksters or clever strategists. It depends on which side ye find yourself.”

Viola laughed, a throaty seductive sound. “Raised from the cradle to win, Cain most of all. Win and conquer, whether it be a clan or a lass’s heart.”

Merida handed her the hair comb. “We have very little time.”

Cain’s aunt came around to study Ella and smiled, making her look lovely. Ella’s heart tightened at the thought that the woman had also endured her father’s brutality. The more she grew to know Cain’s family, the more steadfast she was that she could not harm any of them.

She reached for Merida’s hand, squeezing it. “Thank you, Merida. You look beautiful today, and I truly appreciate all you have done to help me.” Ella smiled at Hannah. “Both of you.”

Merida blinked, her face softening, which made her light eyes sparkle. Hannah leaned in and kissed Ella’s cheek. They did not seem to hate her for keeping Jamie a secret. Maybe with Merida and Hannah here at Girnigoe, her life would be a good one even with the breach between Cain and herself. Where there was life there was hope for healing.

As Ella sat still, clasping her hands in her lap, she knew for certain. She breathed deeply over her decision. Neither “Death before surrender” nor “Wed him and kill him” would take up space in her mind or her heart. She exhaled long, trying to relax, as Viola tugged through her long hair. With that conviction, she would turn her focus back to making peace for her clan. Now that Cain knew the king would give back Sutherland lands and castle to Jamie in five years or bring his troops against the Sinclairs, she wasn’t sure what Cain’s next move would be.

Viola lifted and tucked, curled and pinned Ella’s hair into a crown on the top of her head, leaving some waves to fall down her back. Merida attached the roses and ribbons of matching rose-colored silk.