by Kit Tunstall
Cam gasped, his pale skin turning a sickly white.
“Not all,” said Tiernan. “A couple received lighter sentences. Your brother won’t have to worry about that though. I’ve made sure there are no charges pending. He’s been pardoned.”
She sagged with relief, managing a shred of gratitude. “Thank you.”
He nodded before turning to Cam. “What you do with that pardon is up to you, Cam. You can go back to the winery and help your family, or you can reconnect with your rebel group and end up on the hanging line with your compatriots. I have my doubts about you, but for Madison’s sake, I’m willing to let you go home under the watchful eye of Eric Nash. If the slightest whisper reaches me that you’re plotting against me, I’ll banish you from the Federation. Get caught in the act of treason, and I won’t do anything to protect you. Do you understand my terms?”
Cam swallowed, his pale complexion regaining a hint of color. “Yeah, don’t do me any favors, Archer. I’m proud to die alongside the other freedom fighters.”
“Oh, for fu…Cam, shut the hell up,” said Madison angrily. “He’ll go back home and lead a quiet life, Tiernan, I promise you. If not, I’ll reveal his involvement in this to Momma. That’s sure to cause another flare-up, and Cam doesn’t want that. Do you?”
Cam ducked his head. “No, Madi.”
“Very well.” Tiernan moved toward the door. “Do you want to spend some time with your brother before troops escort him back to Yakima-Grace?”
Madison glared at her sibling. “No, not right now. I’m still angry with him.” Turning her glare on him, she added, “I have a hard time forgiving something that almost destroyed me. No amount of sorrys or tokens will make it right.”
“Sis, I—”
“Be quiet,” she snapped at Cam. Her words weren’t entirely for her brother, who was foolish, but idealistic, and had genuinely thought he was doing the right thing. It made him an idiot, not dangerous or seditious. “I can’t talk to you right now, Cam.”
He nodded, falling into silence. With one last meaningful look at Tiernan, she turned away and strode from the room. Her feet longed to take her to the clinic, but she was certain Tiernan wouldn’t allow that. His fear of something happening to his heir would no doubt keep her restrained on a tight leash for the next seven-plus months. Instead, she took the steps up to the main level and let herself out through the back entrance and into the garden. It was cold and windy, with a hint of rain in the air, but she still gloried in the weak sunshine and being outside with no bars blocking her view. She hadn’t exaggerated when she’d told him it would be hard to get over what she’d endured, and Madison really didn’t see a way she could ever forgive Tiernan.
*****
He woke her early on punishment day, not giving her the option of refusing to attend. Madison was undecided if she wanted to be there, and perhaps he’d picked up on her indecision, leading him to choose for her. Or maybe he was just an overbearing tyrant. Perhaps both.
Grumbling in protest, she washed and dressed before following Tiernan. When they turned to go upstairs instead of down to the main floor, her heart leapt into her throat. As they climbed the stairs, she couldn’t help remembering how awful it was to be confined to the cupola. Had her continued insistence that their relationship was over made him so angry that he was going to imprison her in the tower again? Did he somehow envision that would make her realize she still wanted to be with him? In fact, it would certainly be the death knell of their affair—which was already over anyway, she hastened to assure herself.
As they walked up the stairs to the fourth floor, she strove to control her panic and asked in what she hoped was a bland tone, “Are you putting me back in the cupola?”
His shoulders stiffened, and he turned on the stairs to look down at her. “Of course not. I’m taking you to the roof for a better vantage point.”
Relief rushed through her, and she nodded just once. As he turned and resumed climbing, she asked, “Are you planning to keep me confined in your home until the baby comes?”
He sighed. “No. I just don’t want you to be in danger today. There are still multiple rebel enclaves, and who knows if they’ll try to rescue Briggs and the others today? It’s not safe to go out there in the crowds.”
She rubbed her stomach. “You’re right. We must protect the baby.”
“And you,” he said with ringing conviction. “I couldn’t stand to lose you.”
She barely bit back a harrumph, but decided not to start another argument. “Your concern is noted.” If not weeks too late.
Tiernan didn’t respond as they detoured away from the entrance to the cupola, moving down a hall to take another door instead. One more short flight of stairs took them to the roof, where she was surprised to find a small contingent of troops awaiting. Surely, they were safe here, but she did appreciate his concern, even though she honestly believed the baby, not her, inspired it.
As they stopped near the railing, she took the binoculars Tiernan handed her that matched his, admiring the wooden frames worn soft from years of use. Bringing them to her eyes, she directed her attention to the square across from the capitol building in time to see the prisoners marching in a line, surrounded by soldiers. “I don’t know if I want to see this.”
Tiernan stood to her left. “You can always look away or go back inside, but you’re entitled to witness the executions if anyone is. Briggs would have killed you.” His face was tight with anger, and he held his binoculars in a white-knuckle grip.
She counted the line of prisoners. “Thirteen?”
“Yes, that’s how many were at that camp. Well, there were fifteen, but one was an old woman, and the other was a pregnant girl. Both were spared execution.”
“Ah.” So, she probably wouldn’t have been executed until after the baby’s birth if Tiernan had sent her before the tribunal. She was glad to hear the justices on the tribunal had a policy in place to spare the unborn innocents. And the elderly too. “Was the old woman surly?” She felt him shrug.
“I don’t know much about her, except she was Briggs’s mother.”
Recalling how that woman had waited on Leon and hovered near him, it seemed likely she was the same person Madison recalled from the rebel camp who had given her the coat and not offered her food or coffee. “What happened to her?”
“She’s in a rehabilitation center, probably to be exiled.”
Madison nodded with satisfaction. She didn’t want an elderly woman executed, but she was also relieved to learn Briggs’s mother wouldn’t be in the Federation to continue causing trouble. “And the pregnant girl?”
“Her sentence was postponed until her baby is born. After that, her fate rests with the center incarcerating her. She might be given a chance to reintegrate into society, or sent to a labor camp. Depending on the severity of her crimes and direct involvement in the bombing, she could be executed.”
Madison winced, unable to avoid imaging being in the same situation. She had come much too close to that scenario. She hoped the woman had a change of heart and decided to abandon the rebels so she could raise her child.
The prisoners reached the gallows, where thirteen nooses waited. They climbed up the stairs, some with dignity, while others had to be encouraged by soldiers. She grimaced when Leon Briggs walked onto the platform. In a parody of victory, he lifted both hands above his head, earning a boo from the crowd she could hear even on the rooftop.
Madison squinted as she noticed something beige on his hand. Looking closer, she realized it was a bandage. As if aware she was watching, Briggs kept that hand aloft, point it in her direction as he extended his finger in an obscene gesture.
Apparently realizing it was for him, Tiernan let out a sound similar to a growl. “Insolent bastard.”
“What happened to his hand?” At his lack of response, she lowered the binoculars and turned to Tiernan, touching his shoulder. “Tiernan?”
Slowly, with obvious reluctance, Tiernan put down his
binoculars and turned to face her. His features held traces of disgust and something less identifiable. “Interrogation.”
Remembering his warning that interrogation would break her, Madison grimaced. “Does that translate to torture?”
He lifted one shoulder. “Sometimes.”
“That’s barbaric. You shouldn’t allow your people to do that.”
He arched a brow. “You have sympathy for Briggs?”
Biting her lip, she eventually shook her head. “Well, not really, but forcing someone to confess under torture doesn’t seem very…just.”
“Do you really believe he would have recanted his accusations against you if I hadn’t given him the proper incentive?” His lips tightened. “You can’t be that naïve.”
With wide eyes, she regarded his hard countenance. “You did that? You cut off his fingers?”
After a brief hesitation, he nodded. “I did. He left me no choice.” He sounded slightly defensive when he said, “It’s not as though I enjoyed it, and I wouldn’t have done it for anyone except you.”
Shaking her head, she said, “How could you stand to do it, Tiernan? It’s so…”
“Repulsive,” he said with a small shiver. “But necessary. I would do anything to protect you and our baby.”
She was oddly touched, though mostly disconcerted that he had tortured someone for her sake. “If you were so convinced of my innocence that you had to cut off his fingers to persuade him to affirm it, why the hell did you leave me in the cupola for three weeks?”
He shifted, guilt flashing in his eyes. “I didn’t believe you until I thought you were going to lose the baby. That night, I decided I didn’t care if you were guilty. You belonged with me either way. Once I got to that point, common sense finally overcame the pain and anger, and I really looked at the evidence.”
She laughed harshly. “Wow, you’re so giving, Tiernan.” Madison shook her head. “I’m glad you finally realized I wasn’t a rebel, and had nothing to do with the bombing. If only you had done it weeks ago…” She trailed off, overcome by the urge to sob, or maybe slap him. Neither reaction pleased her, and she took several deep breaths to regain control.
“I know. I wouldn’t have to earn your forgiveness.”
As he spoke, the sound of the platform dropping, followed by the grisly sound of thirteen nooses snapping taut, reached them over the suddenly silent crowd. Without looking at the swinging bodies, she waved in their direction. “Some things are unforgivable, Tiernan, and there’s no way back.”
“I won’t give up.” He spoke with solemn intensity.
With a sad shake of her head, she turned toward the door leading from the room. “It doesn’t matter. I already have. We have nothing left to salvage.”
“Madison.” A world of pain reflected in his voice.
Hardening her heart, she didn’t turn around or acknowledge him. She couldn’t and maintain her determination. He would have to accept their relationship was over eventually. Until then, she would have to remain on her guard and remind herself at times of weakness how it had felt to be his prisoner, to know he had no trust in her, and could easily disregard her love for him and even her basic rights, because he’d gotten hurt feelings.
*****
A few days later, she learned he was attacking her defenses on multiple fronts. When Susan came to examine her, there was a flush on the other woman’s cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes that Madison first assumed must be Edward-related. “Do you have some good news?” she asked, staring pointedly at Susan’s left hand, where she’d expected to see an engagement ring. She frowned at seeing her friend’s finger as bare as ever.
Susan chuckled. “As if you don’t know.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I would guess you and Ed—”
Susan interrupted her, giving her a tight hug. “Oh, thank you, Madison.”
Puzzled, she patted her back. “For what?”
As Susan drew away, she grinned. “Playing coy, huh?”
“I promise I’m not playing anything.” She was completely mystified.
Susan gave her a probing look. “You’re saying you have no knowledge of Tiernan’s generous gift?”
Madison shook her head. “Not a clue.”
“Hmm, well, he’s donated the clinic a new building, with three stories. I’ll be able to open a small inpatient facility on the top floor. There will be new equipment and a bigger electricity allotment too, so we can handle the higher influx of patients. Best of all, Tiernan has guaranteed all our funding for the next five years, so I won’t have to scramble to keep the clinic open when most of my patients can’t afford to contribute trading credits.”
She was happy for her friend, but irritated with Tiernan. If he thought he could get back into her good graces by going through her friends, he was mistaken. When he brought up what he’d given Susan, she’d take great pleasure in telling him he’d done the right thing for the wrong reasons and make sure he knew it didn’t sway her.
To her consternation and even greater annoyance, Tiernan never mentioned the clinic upgrade. She waited for more than a week for him to bring it up, even subtly, but he never did. That irritated her, because she had been so looking forward to throwing it back in his face. What did that say about her?
*****
He hadn’t just bestowed his generosity on Susan, she discovered at the next conversation with her family. Her sister was full of gushing praise for Tiernan. “He gave us the government land running alongside the back forty, along with a contract to provide the administration with wine for the next five years—and it’s tax-exempt.”
“Which would have killed Blaney,” added her father with a chuckle. “I mean, if Tiernan hadn’t had him publicly lashed and disgraced for corruption before booting him out of office to appoint an interim governor.”
“Are you guys okay with accepting this gift?” she asked doubtfully.
“Yeah, why not?” asked Rosie. “He’s practically family.”
She gritted her teeth, but didn’t refute that statement. After all, she really didn’t want them to know she was having a baby with a man she hated…mostly…a little. “Papa?”
Callum sounded a little more hesitant. “It took some convincing, but Tiernan can be persuasive.”
She almost asked which family member he’d threatened in order to get her proud father to take a land deed and government contract, but held back. Again, she had the pesky need to preserve his image for them, since he was the father of her child. To be fair, she’d also have to be careful not to show anything but respect and courtesy toward him around the baby. “Well, okay then,” she said with a cheerfulness that felt forced.
Taking a breath, she asked, “Where’s Cam?”
“He’s at the winery, helping put up fencing around the new acreage.” Callum made an ambiguous sound. “I tell you, I don’t know what’s gotten in to that boy. He just disappeared for six weeks and then came back looking bedraggled. Stubborn cuss won’t tell us a word about where he’s been, or what he’s done.”
“Hmm, I can’t imagine why,” she said with as much innocence as she could muster, though part of her wanted to reveal her brother’s actions for the past few weeks, partly to punish him for his stupidity, and partly so her father could be on the alert for him to do something else rash. That was Eric’s job, so she kept her silence.
“How are you, Madi?” asked Rosie.
“Tired.” A yawn accompanied that.
“Tell Tiernan to let you sleep.” Rosie giggled and then stopped with a pained choke. “Um, sorry, Papa.”
Callum cleared his throat, and the conversation moved to other things. Madison didn’t get the chance to tell them about the baby and decided she would wait when her father mentioned Elaine was doing well enough that she would probably be able to come with them next week. She blinked back tears, wishing her mom were there to counsel her, and lamenting that she would be able to talk to her next week, but couldn’t really tell her anything.
She just hoped Tiernan gave up soon. Madison was ready for his attempts at amends to be over so they could go about their separate existences. She didn’t think he’d let her visit her parents while she was pregnant, but she hoped to be able to shortly after the birth so they could meet her child. As a compromise, she would ask him to bring her family to her, but she was going to insist he let her see them. That was sure to work, because he always listened to her so well, she thought with a bitter twist of her lips. If he listened at all, he would have already accepted she no longer wanted to be with him. Still, he couldn’t keep trying forever. Being a practical man, he would have to accept defeat as long as she remained strong. He had to, for both their sakes.
Chapter Twenty
God, he was stubborn, and she was getting frustrated. They had been engaged in a battle-of-wills for five weeks now. She hadn’t given an inch in her determination to make him accept she no longer loved him, and he hadn’t surrendered at all in his quest to regain her trust and love. Every night, she fell asleep in his bed, oftentimes waking pressed against him in a parody of a loving embrace. Each time, she had found the strength to pull away and go on as though nothing had happened.
