Page 110 of Laird of Steel
“In my time at Dunlop, I’ve come to know Lady Carenza. She’s kind. Gentle. Sweet. But she’s…” He paused, shaking his head. “Not for you.”
Gellir’s eyes glittered with harnessed rage. “The contract signed by her father says otherwise.”
Hew gulped. Breaking a marriage contract was a serious charge. Still he asserted, “Her heart belongs to another man.”
That painful truth dimmed Gellir’s gaze. Still, he managed to reply with a steady voice, strengthened by fact. “Her heart, her body, her clan, her holdings belong to the king and, by royal decree, to me. Would you challenge the king?”
Hew’s face was grave. He had gone pale. His brow was deeply furrowed. His mouth twisted with the torture of indecision.
“Aye,” he croaked at last. “If that’s what it takes.”
“Why?” Gellir asked, his tone incredulous. “Why would you risk the wrath of the king?”
Hew straightened then, like a noble champion about to die for his clan. “Because some things are more important than political alliances. Because lasses are not pawns to be sacrificed at the whim of the king. Because true love is precious and rare. And no one should come between a man and a woman who have been lucky enough to find it.Amor vincit omnia.Love conquers all.”
Hew’s passionate declaration melted Merraid’s heart. Days ago, she might have uttered those very words to Gellir.
But now they only magnified Gellir’s aggravation. “’Tisn’t up to you to make that decision,” he growled. “Not for me.”
“I don’t make it for you, cousin,” he said. “I make it for her.”
Merraid sighed. The rumors were true. Softhearted Hew had a crippling weakness for women. He couldn’t resist playing hero. It was no wonder he’d had his heart broken so many times.
But Hew’s vulnerability proved to be Gellir’s frustration. Gellir was a man of honor and principle and loyalty. Love might conquer all. But it did not counter the will of king and country.
Merraid understood both sides.
She agreed with Hew about arranged marriages. She was even secretly grateful Hew had shackled Gellir. After all, it helped her accomplish her goal of stalling the wedding.
But she understood Gellir’s unbending principles. In the end, she washisfriend. And since she owed her allegiance to him, she had to aid him however she could.
Hew was out of Gellir’s range.
But not hers.
And Hew likely assumed she was helpless, like the women he enjoyed rescuing. He’d never see the blow coming.
As he turned to go, Merraid stepped forward and swung out her leg, catching him in the belly with a hard kick.
He doubled over with an “oof.” A dagger clattered to the floor. But his reflexes were fast. Before she could reach it, he scraped it up and scrambled back out of reach.
She lunged forward as far as the chain would allow, inches away, snarling and clawing at him with her free hand.
He frowned and shook his head, muttering, “Another warrior lass.”
Then he grabbed one more axe from the wall and made his way toward the exit.
Before he left, he turned and spoke to Gellir. “If you care at all for Lady Carenza, do not follow me. ’Twas I who helped her escape. I told her where she could find safe haven. And I mean to reunite her with the one she loves.”
“This is mad, Hew,” Gellir hissed.
Hew gave him a curious smile. “Nay, ’tis the most sane thing I’ve done in a long time.”
As he slipped out of the armory, Gellir bellowed out his name. Hew ignored him.
When he was gone, Gellir bit out an oath and kicked the wall. He cursed in pain when he forgot he was wearing soft velvet slippers instead of his usual leather boots.
Merraid bit her lip.
