by Fiona Faris
“Aye, MacKenzie, fill me in and fill me in fast.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
MacKenzie Keep Chapel
“Really, did ye think the armed men were necessary?” Violet whispered to Milly as they approached the MacKenzie chapel.
“Aye, he’s nae foolish.” Milly shivered. The wind had kicked up and it was snowing, but her shiver wasn’t from the weather. The MacKenzie chapel was a small stone building, one story, unadorned with a small bell steeple. Had it not been February, and so dreadfully cold, Milly imagined the chapel would look quite pretty with flowers and ribbon along the doorways and windows, announcing to the world a happy union between two people who loved each other deeply. Milly had always wanted a spring wedding, but she’d also wanted to marry for love. The dreary sky above and the falling snow mirrored her mood. It was appropriate that she would be marrying a beast like Elias in nasty weather. Hopefully, one day, when all was said and done with Elias dead and buried, she would have the opportunity to have another wedding. One in a chapel like the MacKenzie one with the man she loved. The very idea of saying the words that would bind her to Elias while knowing Nathan was alive was wreaking havoc on her insides. She wrapped the fur-lined cape she wore more tightly about her, holding her stomach, desperately trying to keep from losing what little food she had eaten earlier.
The garish gown that Elias had made for her was too big. She was covered in layers of lavender silk and white lace, the monstrosity of a gown oppressive against her skin. Her body heat stayed captured for the long walk from the castle to the opposite side of the keep where the chapel sat, so for that she was grateful. But the weight of the thing was like a noose around her. She had thought briefly of running, throwing herself in the loch. Surely the weight of the gown would drag her to the depths where she could sleep and this nightmare would cease. Then she thought of Nathan, her brothers, and friends. It would be over soon and land in their favor. She only had to keep her wits about her. She fingered the dirk that rested at her side in the pocket of the gown. She smiled at Violet, such a clever lass. At least Elias hadn’t ordered Violet taken from her again. She felt her friend give her a squeeze.
“No touching!” one of their guards shouted from behind them. The women had no choice but to separate. Milly noticed the men who escorted them from the castle were not Highlanders. She wished there was a way to get word to Nathan that the men working for Elias were most likely English hired men. She wasn’t sure that it mattered for battle, but it would help Nathan to know his men had not all turned against him or the memory of his father.
“Och, ye English bastard!” Violet shouted back. The guard made no move to retaliate. For that Milly was thankful.
“Violet, we must act compliant, at least for the ceremony.” She knew her friend hated this as much as she did.
“Och, I ken, Milly, but it is too much, just too much. Now I cannae even give ye comfort? And I cannae help but think of Thomas. I pray yer Nathan was able to get tae him.”
She thought again of Nathan, the way he’d held her in the pre-dawn hours. The feel of his arms around her, and him inside her, loving her. She only needed to be strong for a few hours more, and then it would all be over.
They approached the door to the chapel and Milly saw it was open. It appeared there was no one inside save for Elias and Samuel. As she walked into the chapel, she noticed she was wrong. Seated toward the front of the chapel placed close to the rostrum was the entire MacKenzie elder council. Four men including Elias’ father, Nathan’s Uncle William. The older man gave her a kind smile as he stood and approached her. It was custom for a bride to be escorted down the chapel aisle by a member of her own clan. She had foolishly hoped Elias would’ve released Gavin for the ritual, but no. Elias didn’t have an ounce of kindness in him.
She returned the old man’s smile, but felt nothing. Nathan had told her William did not support his son, yet he was here. She wondered if she could trust him. He took her arm. She bowed her head. Violet moved away, electing to sit toward the back of the chapel. Elias stared both women down, a smug smile on his face.
William leaned in and kissed both of Milly’s cheeks. He leaned in close so Milly was the only one to hear. “All is well, Nathan and Gavin are coming for ye. Stretch out the ceremony as long as ye ken without raising suspicion.” She couldn’t keep the look of surprise from her face. Milly’s heart skipped a beat and her pulse began to race. Nathan and Gavin, together? He had been successful! She should be happy, yet, she was still worried. She was unsure of what state Gavin was in, or how many hired men Elias had at the ready. She had begged Nathan not to be foolish, but she was glad he would come. She had seen no sign of MacGille men, so she was certain Nathan’s lad Derek had not been successful. The reality of her options were coming to fruition and she found she was nervous she would lose her nerve. There was still so much left to chance.
Then louder to the room at large, William said, “Ye look lovely lass, like a dream. I am pleased tae welcome ye tae my family.” She hazarded a glance to the council where the old men were oblivious. They nodded and smiled, acting if nothing was amiss. There complacency in her demise was unforgivable. Surely they had to know this marriage was a sham. None of the traditions between the two clans had been performed. Her brothers were not here, nor anyone from her clan or family, save Violet. Only William seemed to understand what was at stake.
“Ah, my bride, I trust you are well?” Elias crooned, taking her hand from his father who moved to take his seat with the rest of the council. All part of the charade.
“Aye, as well as can be expected.”
“Well, don’t worry, my lady. All will be much better after we get to our wedding bed. You will be much better than expected, I give you my word. As I know, I will be your first. I would love to say I will be gentle, but where’s the fun in that?” His tone was like ice in her veins. His smile made Milly’s stomach churn. She was unsure if it was his words, or the assurances of his father that Nathan and Gavin were coming, but suddenly Milly could no longer take the position of meek, accepting bride. She faced Elias, giving him a hard stare. There was nothing redeeming in his person. She couldn’t help but find him wanting in every conceivable way. He was evil, dangerous, and unpredictable. He may be forcing her to take his hand, for however brief a time God allowed, but she would not allow him to break her spirit or speak to her as if she were a common whore.
She looked up at him, death to him promised in her eyes. “Ye may force me tae marry ye, Elias MacKenzie. Ye may even force me tae yer bed. But ken this, ye will nae be my first.” She slowly turned away from him, facing the altar. She could feel the heat of his anger through her cape. Milly let out an anguished cry as Elias grabbed her arm turning her to face him.
“Of course, I’m to be your first,” his statement more demanding that questioning was made only loud enough for Milly to hear. William had asked her to stretch out the ceremony, this was certainly one way to accomplish that goal. Elias stomped, huffing like a horse in exertion. It would be laughable excepting for how terrified and angry she was.
“The crone confirmed to me your maidenhood was intact,” Elias continued harshly. “So unless you somehow took a lover within the last two days locked in your chamber, under the protection of my men, I suggest you cease this foolish talk!” His words were clipped and Milly noticed a fine sheen of sweat covering his brow. She had gotten to him.
“Ah, yes, under lock and key, the way any bride chooses to spend her last days of freedom. But was I? What if I did take a lover, Elias? What if I couldn’t stand the thought of you touching me, breathing on me, being my first, so somehow defying all odds, I managed to take a man into my bed?” She didn’t know where her courage came from. To speak to him in such a way, she must be mad. He grabbed both of her shoulders and shook her hard, but Milly did not relent.
“What if that lover was yer cousin? What if I told ye he came tae my rooms in the dead of night and gave me pleasure that I’d never known po
ssible.” Milly watched as Elias’ eyes grew wide, his cheeks reddening under her attack. Nostrils flared, he lifted one arm from its place on her shoulder and before she could move out of his way, he slapped her hard across the cheek. She lost her footing, but his grip on her arm was tight she was not allowed to fall. The council let out a collected gasp. There would be no hiding his actions.
“Nathan MacKenzie is DEAD!” He screamed the words. Milly pulled back, rubbing the red sting from her face, tears threatening to fall. She would not give him the satisfaction.
Quietly she said, “He isn’t. Nathan is verra much alive.” She gripped the dirk in her pocket tightly with her free hand. “He is alive, and I could be carrying his child as we speak. The true MacKenzie heir.”
“There is no way. He is dead. If what you say is true, you are a witch!” Elias said. His eyes lost focus, Milly thought for sure he would strike her again, but he simply pushed her away instead. She lost hold of the dirk and it slid from its concealment in her gown. Elias watched as the knife slid across the floor of the chapel. He laughed. “What did you mean to do with that, witch?”
Before Milly could respond, his attention was taken away. William stood up. “Elias, enough! The lass is nae a witch, Nathan is alive. And he has the rightful claim tae the clan. Stand down, son.”
“You are a witch and a whore. I’ll kill you.” His gaze was on hers as he pulled his sword from its scabbard and pushed the blade toward her. Somewhere she heard Violet let out a scream. This was it, she had failed, but Nathan would not. Let death come to her, she took satisfaction in knowing Gavin was alive and together with Nathan they would end Elias. She closed her eyes, waiting for the blow that Elias would deliver, ending her life.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Elias.” Milly opened her eyes. Nathan was standing at the door of the chapel, sword drawn with his face tight, showing no emotion. Milly nearly sobbed, relief flooding her. Standing tall next to Nathan were both of her brothers. Not only Gavin, but Lucas as well.
Elias dropped his sword in shock.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Thankfully, they had arrived at the chapel just in time. Nathan cursed himself for the time it took to fill Lucas in. He’d been happy that the lad Derek had kept true to his word. The support from his friend and Milly’s brother was most welcome. He hadn’t minded when the Laird of Clan MacGille immediately began barking orders to all the men, first and foremost giving Derek a horse to ride out to the surrounding lands to let the men of clan MacKenzie know to make their way back to the keep. Lucas gave Nathan a much needed boost of hope.
It had already become clear to Nathan that Elias didn’t have anywhere near the manpower he pretended to have. What few men he’d had left to guard the keep took one look at the angry neighboring Laird and fled. It was laughable to Nathan. Elias was trying to take over the MacKenzie clan using fear, intimidation, and hired men. It wasn’t difficult to see the outcome would be a lack of loyalty from his guards.
Now staring at Elias as the man threatened everything Nathan held dear, the anger he felt upon learning his cousin was responsible for his father’s death paled in comparison to the rage that threatened to consume him. Nathan watched in horror as Elias drew his sword and made a move to run Milly through.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Elias.” A slight thrill of satisfaction went through him as he watched Elias drop the sword and turn to face him. Shock written on all of his features, Milly scurried off out of his reach, closer to William.
“It seems, Cousin,” Nathan spat out, “I’m verra much alive.”
“Impossible.” Instead of Elias making the claim, it was his man Samuel. “Impossible,” he repeated. “I left ye tae die.”
“Well, it seems yer men were nae verra good at their mission,” Nathan said. Samuel picked up Elias’ sword and ran toward the men. Gavin quickly stepped out from beside Nathan and engaged Samuel.
“Allow me this one, Nathan. He and I hae an old score tae settle,” Gavin said. Nathan nodded, turning away from the men and working his way toward Elias.
“Elias! As ye can see, Gavin is well and nae longer in yer dungeon. Ye hae no hold on the lass, let her be,” Nathan said. “But ye and I, we hae unfinished business. I ken what ye did tae my da.”
Elias let out a maniacal laugh. “So you believe the lies that Gavin has been spewing?”
“They aren’t lies and ye ken it, Elias. Tell them. Tell them what ye’ve done.”
“I’ve done nothing, you have no proof!”
“Elias, it’s over. I dinnae need proof. I ken what ye did. Gavin didnae lie.”
“Aye, I saw it as well!” Thomas shouted from the back of the chapel. “That’s enough proof isn’t it, Laird?” Nathan knew he didn’t need Thomas’ answer to believe Gavin. He knew in his heart that Elias killed his father. But for William, Thomas’ confession was the final blow. Nathan saw the surprise, followed by horror on his uncle’s face when William realized what he’d meant.
William let out a cry of horror. “Tell me ye didnae, Elias? Ye killed my own brother? Why?” Nathan would have given anything to spare his uncle the shame and the hurt.
“I did what had to be done, Father. What no one else would do,” Elias said. “Just like I’ll do what has to be done now. You betrayed me. You favored Nathan over me, over your own son. Your flesh and blood. You are weak, no better that any of them.” Elias grabbed for the dirk that was cast aside on the floor. Nathan lunged for him, worried he would use the knife to go after Milly. Instead Elias moved toward his father.
“No! William!” Nathan screamed out in warning to his uncle, but it was too late. He watched in horror as Elias drove the knife into his father’s stomach, and then into his chest. Two of Elias’ men rushed Nathan, and fighting began in earnest. Lucas rushed up, as did Gavin. Nathan spared a quick glance to see Samuel laying in a pool of his own blood. The MacGille men were adept fighters, and Elias and his men were outnumbered. The blind rage Nathan felt fueled him toward Elias. If he had just callously murdered his own father in front of witnesses, Milly was in grave danger. He had to reach her.
“Nathan!” Milly screamed. The chapel was small and he was close, but suddenly he couldn’t see in the rush of men.
“Milly!”
“Nathan, look out!” He ducked just as one of the hired men brought a sword down, dangerously close to his shoulder. Lucas took over fighting the man.
“Go,” he shouted. A crack broke through the air, an acrid smell filled the chapel. Powder. A gun. As quickly as it began, the fighting stopped. Nathan looked up to see Elias holding firmly onto Milly’s arm, a small Snaphaunce pistol in his hand.
“A handy little toy, wouldn’t you say, my dear?” Elias asked Milly. She spit at him in response. Nathan could’ve kissed her were she not so foolish. Elias was a murderer. There was nothing stopping him from hurting her.
“No? Well, I’m sure the others would disagree,” Elias answered, wiping her spit from his face with the sleeve of his coat, before turning to Nathan. “Cousin, this is far from over. I’m still going to marry this little bitch. I’m still going to take the Lairdship. The council may have fled, but once this little scene,” he waved the pistol around the chapel, “is over. They will have no choice. You see, you are causing an uprising. The Crown will not look to kindly upon you for that.”
“Elias, ye are mad! ’Tis over, release Milly and perhaps we can spare yer life.”
“Perhaps you’re right, Nathan,” Elias said. He pushed Milly away. She fell to the floor as Elias moved the sights of the pistol onto Nathan. “I may not need the lass after all. Now with our fathers gone, you are the only one standing in my way.”
Everything began to move in slow motion. Elias pulled the trigger of the pistol. If Nathan had been asked, he would’ve said he watched the small lead ball as it flew in the air toward him, spinning around and around. Yet he was stuck in place, unable to move out of the path of the deadly projectile. His only thought on Milly as e
verything quickly faded to black.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“NOOOOO!” Milly watched in horror as Elias shot the pistol. Nathan immediately fell to the ground. She rushed over to him, tripping on the excess fabric of her skirts.
“No, no, no, Nathan… please! Dear, God!” She reached him, blood pooled around his mid-section where he’d been hit. Milly no longer cared if Elias had time to reload and shoot her as well. Nathan was all that mattered. Her eyes were dry and her head was clear as she knelt beside her love, picking up his head she cradled him in her lap. He was awake and so she sent up a silent prayer, but she knew the wound was bad.
“Milly, lass,” he whispered.
“Please, shhh Nathan, all will be well. Don’t try and speak.”
“Och, ye need tae run, get out of here ye stubborn, lass. Now.” She could tell he meant to yell, but he only had the strength to whisper. How could they have come to this? “Milly, I hae tae tell ye, lass. I…”
“Nay, I’ll not leave ye, Nathan. Now hush,” she said frantically searching for Violet. Violet was the closest thing they had to a healer. The men had all stopped fighting around her but she didn’t care. Nathan’s eyes rolled back into his head and he stopped speaking. Milly didn’t know if he was passed out or worse. There was too much blood. “Violet!”
