Ethan and his loyal warriors came forward, stopping in a line fifty feet away. There were at least one hundred, nearly her whole army, behind them. Ethan nodded to her and Kenneth, his gaze sliding to Jamie. He’d known Jamie only as a maid’s son, never realizing that Kenneth and Ella had been teaching him about archery, battle, and diplomatic strategy.

Ella slid a hand across Gilla’s soft coat, needing the feel of her strong, sweet mare to steady her. Cain, Joshua, and Bàs rode forward toward Ethan and his men, stopping halfway between them. Off to the side, the pastor approached with Gideon, who held rolled parchments under one arm.

When Cain stopped, his voice came loud and booming like thunder. “I, Cain Sinclair, the fifth Earl of Caithness and chief of the mighty Sinclair Clan, call this assembly together to secure a peaceful change of leadership within our clans.”

Ella’s heart beat hard as she watched Ethan’s frown deepen, but he did not say anything, and he did not draw his weapon. What could she do? Ride away and refuse to wed? Without a blood tie to Alec Sutherland, wedding her would not help Cain justify taking over the clan, but with his power he did not need a justification anyway.

Cain continued. “Pastor John will make these proceedings official, our oaths before God.”

Gideon came forward with the rolls of parchment. “Ethan Sutherland, come forward,” Gideon called out. Ella’s head archer and three of his men guided their horses across the narrow chasm to sit directly across from Cain and his brothers.

“Kenneth Macleod and Jamie Sutherland, come forward,” Joshua called out without looking behind him. Both Kenneth and Jamie moved their horses forward.

Ella watched Cain’s back. He wore a white tunic with his plaid wrapped around him, the end slung over his chest. His bow sat tied to the back of Seraph, and a sheathed sword lay strapped to his side. No leather armor, not even his shield, although the armies at his back were completely dressed for war.

“Arabella Sutherland, come forward,” Cain’s voice rang out.

Ella swallowed past the wild thumping of her heart and pressed her heels gently into Gilla’s sides. He would make her wed him. She wanted to be with him, but…the scene was so similar to the one at Varrich that her stomach clenched, and anger straightened her spine. This would be no joyous wedding with smiles and congratulations. This would be a forced surrender.

Ella moved forward, once again without a choice.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cain didn’t dare look at Ella or he might weaken in his resolve. The same with his brothers to the right of him. Gideon held the rolled parchments for him to take, but he ignored the wide sheaves with his brother’s neat script outlining the surrender of Ella to him and the Sutherland lands to Clan Sinclair.