Silence enveloped the hall, and her breath sounded loud in her ears. She was merely a pawn in Cain’s bloody game. Why would her foolish heart ever think otherwise?

Gazes turned toward her, and a flush rose in her cheeks. Cain continued to stare at Kenneth. “I have agreed to nothing,” she said, her voice strong in the stagnant room.

Randolph Mackay turned his little black eyes to her, his face devoid of emotion. She remembered those piercing eyes lurking in the shadows when she visited Varrich Castle with her father during the marriage discussions. “Ye agreed to wed Hew Mackay, a betrothal before God.”

A hushed murmur of discontent snaked through the crowd. If she were betrothed to someone else, Cain could not marry her in the eyes of God or the Crown. A betrothal was an official contract. Despite Hew’s forceful courtship and bruising kisses, she had managed to escape that noose.

She kept her gaze and voice unwavering. “My father, Alec Sutherland, agreed I should marry your chief,” she said. Just looking at Randolph made her fingers clench. “He was killed, and I broke the betrothal contract, paying your clan the betrothal price of ten horses, three wagons of grain, ten sheep, including a pregnant ewe, and three bolts of silk. The price was paid, and the contract was severed, legally and before the eyes of God. Feel free to refresh your memory with Pastor John, who presided over the payment.”

Cain stepped forward with the power and might of ice hurtling down from a mountain. He stopped before Randolph Mackay. “We will take those three wagons of grain in payment for your foolish chief’s crime.”

Randolph’s gaze snapped back to him. “Ye said two wagons of grain.”

“It has risen to three. Wait another week, and it will be four. I tire of the man stinking up my dungeon.”

“We will pay three wagons of grain for the release of Ella Sutherland,” Kenneth called out.

“And Hew Mackay,” Randolph added quickly.

Cain’s gaze connected with Kenneth. “No amount of grain, horseflesh, or gold will win back Ella Sutherland. She is my prize from the battle that took my father’s life. The Sinclairs will conquer Sutherland Clan once and for all. It can be done peacefully with a wedding or violently through war. Either way, I will conquer your clan.”

Anger shot heat into Ella’s cheeks. His prize? The Sinclairs will conquer Sutherland Clan. Cain’s words slashed through Ella’s calm. Her fists clenched as she glared at his profile.

“Then ye thirst for war,” Kenneth said, his voice as hard as his eyes, and he drew his sword.

“Here, here!” Joshua rubbed his hands together, a dark grin on his face.

Two of Cain’s warriors grabbed Kenneth, quickly disarming him, his sword clattering to the stone floor.