“My daughter is an innocent.”
“As is Fiona, her welfare and safety mine to ensure.” He thrust his knee into MacRae’s groin, bore his shoulder into him and took him down to the floor, both their swords clattering across the ground. “Have you ever loved afore, John? So greatly that you would surely die if you couldnae hold your loved one close?”
“Of course.” John pushed and rolled them both. The warrior came up over top of him and gripped his shirtfront. “She’s my only daughter, Coll, and you’ll break her heart with this news.”
“Excuse me, but I could hear the disturbance you two are causing from the main room, and now there are warriors aplenty ready to tear in here.” Duncan shut the paneled door behind him and eyed John. “Your son’s wife is of fae blood, just as you’re aware Coll and I are, and now my brother has discovered a soul bond has formed between him and Fiona, or at least I take it he’s finally admitted that truth to you since you’re now both battling.”
“Aye, he’s admitted the truth.” A grunt from John.
“He loves her,” Duncan continued, “wishes to claim her, but cannae do so until he is freed from his agreement to wed your daughter. I want for my brother what you’ll one day want for your grandson, for him to find his chosen one and join with her in all ways. You must release Coll from his agreement and allow us to find another way to deepen our allied bonds. We’ll find a way that suits us all.”
“Only a touch of fae blood has ever entered my MacRae line.” John heaved to his feet, gripped Coll’s lapels and hauled him up too. “You’re truly mated to this Fiona you’ve spoken about?”
“Aye, and ‘’tis a bond I cannae relinquish. I’ve spent days trying to deny it exists, but no more can I do so. I love her.”
“Then you’re one damn lucky bastard for being mated to another of fae blood.”
That he now understood, to the depths of his heart. “What of Elizabeth? I have feared hurting her.”
“I’ll need to consider her options and act swiftly. In the meantime, you’ll need to keep any knowledge of your relationship with your mate quiet for as long as you possibly can. Be aware though that I intend on spreading the word that ’twas Elizabeth who has chosen to turn you down after a disagreement arose between you.” MacRae blew out a long breath as he scooped his sword and sheathed it. “I’ll procure her another betrothal during that time, and afterward we shall all speak again on what other ways we might strengthen our alliance. You owe me a great deal, Coll.”
“I do, and I’ll make amends.” He nabbed his own sword and belted it. “That I promise you.”
“Coll!” Breathing hard, Ella rushed in. “I cannae find Fiona. She wasnae in your chamber and I’ve also checked the stables. The stable hand said she left no’ long after John and his party arrived. She’s riding toward the coastline, gave the lad implicit instructions that you were to collect your horse at the harbor village. The lad said she wished to secure passage to the abbey on Iona.”
“I’ll never be able to get her back if she makes it to the abbey. We ride now.” He raced out the door and left John behind, Duncan and Ella hot on his heels as he sprinted across the yard toward the stables. He grabbed Duncan’s war horse and heaved into the saddle, while his brother mounted Ella’s steed and hoisted his wife up in front of him.
Leather creaked and he galloped across the rolling moors toward the western coastline.
Duncan pounded in beside him, Ella secured safely in front. “Fiona loves you,” his brother yelled over the wind, “would never truly stand in your way when your desire is foremost to ensure the safety of our clan. That’s why she’s left. I’d all but guarantee it.”
“I never acknowledged our bond existed to her, although I had intended on doing so after I’d spoken to John.” He gripped Duncan’s arm as they rode, then just as quickly released it. “You have my immense thanks for what you said to John just afore.”
“John’s daughter-in-law and grandson are of fae blood. He clearly understands far more about the mated bond than you thought to give him credit for.” Duncan leaned in closer to his mount’s neck, cocooning Ella more tightly to his chest. “We need to catch Fiona now, and you need to make amends, immediately.”
“Agreed.” Once he caught up with her and apologized profusely, he intended on spending every day of the rest of his life attempting to make up for the grave mistake he’d made in ever letting her go. She was the only one he’d ever love, ever wished to live for.