Madeline glanced at them both and said, “I do not understand.”
“Oh, you will understand in a minute, my lady!”
Alex did the only thing he was capable of doing at that moment. He unsheathed his sword as he roared, swung it over his head in a circle, and headed toward Niles Comming. In his mind, all he could see was his Maddie tied to a bed with Niles Comming grinning and grunting over her.
“Untie him and get him a weapon! This is between you and me, Comming. I fight you for my betrothed’s honor. We fight to the death!”
“Gladly, Grant, I have waited for the moment to use a sword on you. Free me, and you will have me. But I will be the last man standing!” he yelled.
Niles snickered. “First, you die, Grant, then I will have my fun with the lass again.”
Madeline grabbed Brodie’s shoulder to keep from swooning.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A guardsman untied Niles and led him to the center of the courtyard while another tossed him a sword. He spent several minutes stretching his muscles, showing off his strength. He paced and paced, bellowing and shouting occasionally. Alex stood quietly and focused on his enemy’s face.
He would have to draw from within to do this right. The vision of his Madeline tied to a bed at Comming’s mercy was something he had to remove from his mind. That vision would cause him to act emotionally instead of instinctively. He couldn’t afford emotion right now. His goal was to wait for the Comming to tire. All his yelling and pacing was costing him energy, energy he would need to stay in the ring with Alexander Grant. Alex knew his strength was patience. Yes, he needed power and the blue-eyed beauty fueled his power. But patience would win this fight. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched the Comming and his bluster. He stepped toward him.
The two men circled each other, measuring the other’s strengths and weaknesses. The crowd moved back to make room for the upcoming battle. Even though he had fought numerous battles and his reputation as a swordsman was legendary, Alex knew better than to underestimate his enemy. Niles Comming was also an excellent swordsman. But every man had a weakness. He was quite sure he knew the Comming’s. He would win. Madeline was his.
Madeline’s gut clenched as she watched. Robbie and Brodie remained at her side along with two other warriors. She noticed Brenna exiting the great hall and making her way down the steps of the keep to her brothers’ side.
“I do not understand, Robbie. What is happening?” Brenna asked with her hands up by her throat as she surveyed the courtyard.
“The Chief is avenging Madeline’s honor. Alex announced that he would take Madeline as his wife, but she wished to ask him a question before accepting his proposal,” Robbie spoke quietly so as not to disturb Alex’s concentration.
“Why now? Why here? Why not send both men to the king?” Maddie asked anxiously.
“I think that may have been Alex’s original plan, but when he heard your question, he didn’t take kindly to the implications of what you said,” Brodie replied.
Brenna gaped at all three faces frantically. “What question? What did you say, Madeline? I was with Jennie, I didn’t hear your question.”
Robbie and Brodie both cleared their throats and turned their heads away from the women. Madeline studied both men totally confused. She turned to face Brenna.
“Madeline?” Brenna prompted.
“I…I…,” Maddie swallowed bile. “I needed Alex’s word on something before I agreed to the betrothal.”
“Word on what, Maddie?” Brenna’s tone became more and more insistent as she noted the reaction of her brothers.
Madeline was too embarrassed to repeat what she requested, but realized the men had already heard. She blushed and shook her head.
“Madeline?” Brenna stared at her.
“I asked your brother to promise me something,” she whispered.
“Promise you what?” Brenna implored.
“Does it really matter? I just needed his word on something.”
“On what, Madeline?” Brenna’s tone was harsh. Her eyes never left her friend’s face.
Madeline closed her eyes as she sighed, “I asked him to promise me he would not tie me to the marriage bed.”
Brenna staggered back in shock. “Oh, saints have mercy, Madeline! Why would you say such a thing?” she yelled. Madeline turned her head to the crowd as she realized how loudly Brenna had spoken. Fortunately, Alex did not seem to have heard.
Brenna searched the faces of her brothers. Neither said anything, but both looked at her with eyebrows raised.
Brenna stared at Robbie. “He will kill him. You have to do something. Stop him. Alex will kill the Comming. He will be charged with murder. Maddie, what have you done?”