She had not been able to find him before Kenneth said they must ride to meet her clan for the wedding ceremony and surrender. Hannah and Merida rode horses next to Ella, insisting that they wanted to be there for the wedding. Pastor John, seemingly recovered from the ordeal at Varrich, rode one of Cain’s horses, too, Kenneth and Jamie on their mounts beside him. Overhead, a large falcon circled, laces on one talon. Eun. Ella glanced around for Cain.

Turning in her seat, she saw him behind her with his three brothers, all of them riding in a line on their colored horses. Cain had his bow but not the crown. His gaze was centered on her, but his features remained still and serious. Lord, what would today bring? He would take her lands, castle, and her people’s pride, and she would have to return with him before all the Sutherlands.

Her hands fisted around the reins. Would they think her a traitor? Or worse, would they not show up, making Cain and his armies lay siege to Dunrobin?

She turned forward again, her heart thumping in time with Gilla’s quick step. They rode across the empty moor. There were no Sutherland men or horses yet. Holy Mother Mary. She glanced overhead at the glow behind the heavy clouds. The sun was high, and the Sutherlands were nowhere to be seen.

The Sinclair army advanced across the field, surrounding Ella as she rode Gilla. She raised her gaze to the rise where she had ordered the last battle. Her breath caught, and relief tightened through her as she sucked in air. Sutherlands slowly emerged from the forest at the top of the rise.

The Sinclair armies broke into a canter, surging past her, eating up the ground, as the Sutherlands rode down the slope to the base. Hundreds of horses sounded like thunder, vibrating under her, and she pressed Gilla to follow.

“We will stop here,” Kenneth yelled across to her as they watched Ethan Sutherland lead the group out to meet them. Kenneth sat his own horse, and Jamie rode on one of Cain’s white horses next to him. Pride filled Ella as she watched her brother sit so straight, his face full of the strength into which his young body must still grow. At least he would not die. No, Cain would not let harm come to him or to her. Of that she was certain, even if everything else was unclear. Even if she was to rage at him over the wrongness of this day, he would not harm her body. But what of her heart?