Page 64 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
“Me loyalties are where they’ve always been—with what is right!” she shouted, stepping forward. “Leo was a monster! Ye ken it, Caelan. And ye should be thankin’ Nicholas for riddin’ the Highlands of him!”
Rosaline placed a hand on her husband’s arm, but Caelan shook it off. “She’s me sister,” he muttered. “I willnae let her be led by emotion into marryin’—”
“I’m nae bein’ led anywhere,” Alexandra cut in, voice sharp. “It's me choice and me choice alone.”
Nicholas watched in silence, letting Alexandra speak her truth. It stirred something deep within him, hearing her defend him so fiercely. Charles peeked up at him from beneath his fringe of curls, clutching his sleeve. “Is that her brother?” the lad whispered.
“Aye,” Nicholas murmured. “And he’s a stubborn fool.”
“Alexandra,” Caelan said, exasperated, “if ye marry him, I cannae protect ye then.”
“I daenae need protectin’,” she said. “I need a husband who respects me. And I already gave him me word.”
“Laird Sinclair,” Nicholas said calmly. “If ye want to speak of honor, then speak plainly. But if ye came here to insult yer sister and question her heart, then I’ll ask ye to leave.”
Caelan’s eyes snapped to him. “And what will ye do if I daenae?”
“I’ll stand by her. Always.”
A tense silence followed. Rosaline touched Caelan’s arm again, and this time he didn’t shake her off.
“She’s happy,” Rosaline said gently. “Can ye nae see it?”
Nicholas stood tall beneath the stone arch of the courtyard, his voice calm but firm. ‘Sinclair, I understand why ye must hate me, and in truth, ye make much sense. But perhaps we should take this conversation inside—there’s much to say that should nae be shouted across a courtyard.’” He gestured toward the castle doors.
He watched as Caelan exchanged a glance with Rosaline. Alexandra, without hesitation, turned and led them toward the great hall. "This way if ye please, brother."
Nicholas stepped to the side as they passed, then turned to the nearest guard. “See the Sinclair men get food and drink and tend to their horses. They’ve ridden far and earned rest. Treat them as we would our own.”
Nicholas watched as Caelan looked over his shoulder at him, nodded in appreciation, and continued on.
The guards hurried to obey, and Nicholas followed the guests through the echoing halls, his boots tapping lightly on the stone floor. The great hall’s hearth glowed with embers, warmth chasing away the late afternoon chill.
He motioned to a servant. “Refreshments for our guests—bring our best wine and food."
Caelan didn’t sit. He stood stiff near the hearth, his arms crossed tightly across his chest, eyes sharp. Rosaline rested her hand gently on his elbow but said nothing, her expression careful.
Nicholas faced him, his tone steady. “The first thing I wish to say is this—I’m sorry. I shouldnae have taken Alexandra in the first place. It was wrong, and I ken it. I was in a moment of madness havin’ lost me own son and thought I could use her to have me son returned. I admit I was wrong in me ways."
Caelan’s voice cracked like thunder in the quiet room. “Aye, it was wrong. It was dishonorable, reckless, and full of pride.” He took a step forward. “The only reason I dinnae ride to yer gates with fire and sword was because me wife talked sense into me. She reminded me that if Alexandra was with the O’Donnells, it meant she wasnae with Leo Rankin.”
His jaw clenched. “And ye’re known as a fierce Laird, aye, but nae as a sadist. Nae like Leo. That’s the only reason I dinnae come to rip her out meself.”
Alexandra’s voice came softly but firmly behind him. “Nicholas treated me as a guest, Caelan. Nae a prisoner. He gave me his protection.”
“Ye were still a hostage!” Caelan shouted, turning to her. “Do ye nae see that?”
Nicholas held his ground. “It’s true,” he said, voice low. “I took her against her will. But I’ve proven me worth to her since. She is safer with me than she would have ever been with Leo or under the false promise of a peace pact he never would have seen through.”
Caelan’s hand curled into a fist, his eyes full of old wounds and worry. “Alexandra, please… daenae do this.”
Alexandra stepped forward, eyes bright with fire and purpose. “I am determined, brother.” Her voice softened, but it held steel. “Ye couldnae stop me from betrothin’ meself to Leo—and that was a terrible choice I made in fear and duty. But this—this choice I make of me own freewill, and I’ll nae be swayed.”
Caelan opened his mouth to speak, but Rosaline gently pulled him back. “Let her speak her heart, Caelan,” she murmured.
Nicholas’s heart pounded as he watched Alexandra stand taller than he’d ever seen her. Her pride, her courage, it left him breathless.
“I want this,” she continued, her voice shaking slightly. “Nae to secure borders or please our council. I want Nicholas. I want Charles. I want a life where I daenae have to trade pieces of me soul to make others feel safe.”
