The king rose, his expression dark as he stared at the goings-on. “Is this true, Laird McDonald? Did you try to rape a child under your own care and protection? And you attacked her once again under Laird McCabe’s roof?”

The laird remained silent as he nursed his bloodied mouth.

“Aye, he did,” Rionna said quietly. “I was there.”

“Disloyal bitch!” the laird spat.

Caelen rounded on the laird again. “ ’Tis my future wife you insult. I would suggest you strongly reconsider any words you have to say to her in the future.”

The king rubbed his fingers wearily over the bridge of his nose. “What think you of this, Ewan? Can we still salvage this alliance and will the others join with us in our cause?”

Ewan lifted a brow and then surveyed the occupants of the hall, most of whom had remained silent as they observed what had transpired between the McDonalds and the McCabes.

“Why don’t you ask them?”

The king chuckled. “A sound idea indeed, Ewan.”

He raised his hands for quiet and then addressed the crowded room. “What say you, Lairds? If Caelen McCabe marries Rionna McDonald and seals Neamh Álainn to the McCabe lands here via the alliance with the McDonalds, will you join with us in our fight against Duncan Cameron and Malcolm?”

One by one, the lairds stepped forward, the only sound, their boots scraping against the floor.

“I refuse to ally myself with a coward who preys on children,” one laird called out. “If Caelen McCabe becomes laird upon his marriage to Rionna McDonald, then aye, I’ll join and swear my allegiance to Your Majesty and to the McCabes.”

The other lairds nodded and voiced their agreement.

“There is but one last question to ask,” Caelen spoke up.

All heads turned in his direction, but he turned his gaze on Rionna, who still stood ramrod straight and pale in the center of the room.

“Are you willing to wed with me and not Alaric McCabe, Rionna McDonald?”

Rionna stared at her father and shook her head in a gesture of sorrow. Finally she looked up at Caelen and met his gaze with her captivating golden eyes.

“Aye, Caelen McCabe. You have proven a worthy and loyal friend to Keeley and brother to Alaric.”

“And do you support me becoming laird upon our marriage and for your father to step down?”

This time she didn’t even hesitate. “I do not want him on our lands.”

The room buzzed with shock over her words. Laird McDonald blanched and then shoved himself upward again. “You ungrateful bitch! Where do you think me to go?”

“I care not. But you are not welcome on McDonald lands any longer.”