When no one said anything, Cain continued. “My contact at Dunrobin, years ago, did not paint Arabella Sutherland as a young woman determined to rule her clan. Yet now she would rather die than allow me to rule it without bloodshed.” Damn his instincts.

“Do not kill her!” Kenneth yelled, ferocity in his command.

“I have denied her that choice.” Cain’s brows narrowed as he looked between them.

Kenneth’s shoulders rounded slightly, as if he’d been standing ready to battle his way to her if Cain ordered her execution. Angry tears ached behind Ella’s eyes. She hated how her capture was tormenting her loyal friend.

“Escort this Sutherland advisor out of Girnigoe,” Cain said. “And the rest of ye are dismissed.”

“A word with her first,” Kenneth said. “To make certain she is being treated well.”

“Quickly,” Cain said. The two guards near Kenneth took a step back, but it still wouldn’t be a private conversation.

Ella hurried forward, and Kenneth caught her in his arms, holding her tightly. “Tell Jamie I am treated well.”

“Listen to me,” Kenneth whispered at her ear, his body trembling with controlled rage. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could tell from his voice that they held conviction. “If ye cannot escape with your life or your virtue…wed him.”

She held tightly to Kenneth as if giving him a long hug, but it was more to keep herself from falling over. He would have her surrender Dunrobin? “But Cain will take—” Ella started.

Kenneth’s words came as a tortured whisper, harsh and succinct in her ear. “Wed him, Ella, and kill him.”

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Cain watched her advisor pull away from Ella. The man was obviously a friend or more. His gut tightened as she watched him being led away, a hand to her mouth as if she didn’t trust herself not to cry out to him. Aye, Kenneth Macleod was important to her.

Cain waited until Kenneth was gone and his men were filing out. It had been a bloody long morning with the ceremony, his men kneeling one at a time to swear allegiance and clanswomen bringing flowers and jams as tribute. Gideon said it must be done to confirm his position as chief in the clan’s mind. Through it all, he played his part of unyielding horseman of conquest. It was a role he’d been living for twenty years, a mantle not easily put aside.

He slid the crown from his head. “Arabella Sutherland,” he called. “Come before me.”