“Hell…” The blood drained from his face, a chill swept through him. Yet Catriona had deceived him. Had she not brought this upon herself? He blew out a breath and set his hands on his hips. He had been a friend to her, so why had she not told him? But then he had not been the most reliable of men either. He’d never declared anything more than friendship for her. And now she was in danger of being forced into a likely terrible marriage.
He snorted. Regardless of her name, he knew Catriona. The lass had a kind heart and whatever decisions she’d come to they were likely driven by good intentions. She loved Bute, that much she’d made clear. If she thought the isle depended on her, she would risk little, especially telling all to a man who was known to get into his cups or run at the first sign of intimacy.
“Have ye tried to get to Lorna?” He gripped the man’s arms. “Logan, I trusted ye to take care of my sister.”
Logan shook his head and tore away from him. “I can only look after her so much when she denies me. Ye are her blood, Finn. I have been here to tend to her tears and wounds, so dinnae lecture me of my duty. Gillean has set his own men at the doors of the hall. No one will go up against him while he threatens Lorna’s life. He has disarmed us and we are impotent.” Logan lifted his arms to demonstrate his lack of a weapon. “Gillean is our laird. None will help us for in the eyes of the law he has done naught wrong.”
Finn scrubbed a hand across his chin. What to do? Since Alice’s death he’d avoided caring for any women and now the two women he cared for most were in trouble. He had no choice. “We need to get to them, Logan. We cannae let Catriona be forced into a marriage and I willnae abandon Lorna to his whim.”
“I agree. But ye’ll struggle getting word to our men. They are scattered amongst Gillean’s and I cannae say who will stay loyal to Lorna.
“Then ‘tis just us.”
“Aye.” Logan nodded.
“I have my sword,” Finn offered.
Logan laughed. “Well, then we shall have little troubles.”
Finn laughed too and slapped the man on the shoulder. A lump still caught in his throat. What would Catriona be enduring in there? And his sister? Ach, if he’d only been around instead of behaving like a coward, none of this would have happened.
“Come then, let us see what we are up against.”
***
Tèile fluttered anxiously between the hall and the bailey. Everything had gone wrong. Finn and Catriona had come together properly at the right time, so why had fate not played out as it should? And Laird Gillean was planning to marry and take Catriona against her will.
If only she had greater control over humans. It would make her job much easier. Alas, she could not kill a human, though she’d very much like to at this moment. She squeezed her hands together with a gleeful smile. Could she ensure Gillean met with an accident?
Shaking her head, she let slip a sigh of relief and flew down toward Finn. Hadn’t she already learned not to interfere more than necessary. If fate wanted Gillean dead, fate would deliver the blow. She cocked her head and listened to the men.
Why did he insist on being so stubborn? Finn clearly loved Catriona. If he’d confessed as much, Catriona would surely have told him all. The faery rubbed a weary hand across her face and nodded along as they discussed their plans.
Still, being a faery had some advantages. The men were up against terrible odds but she had magic on her side. Flying over to a small door—the one that hid the escape route—she eyed the two men stationed in front of it. They were armed—men loyal to Gillean. She needed a distraction.
***
Finn, trying to act natural while keeping his sword tucked in the folds of his plaid, led the way to the rear door. They paused before they reached it and feigned conversation for a moment as they took in their surroundings. Men patrolled the walls. While many were Gillean’s, some were their own men. But Logan was right. Most were likely loyal to his sister, but would they go up against their own laird and risk death? They could not rely on them.
“There are two men at the door.” Logan shook his head. “We could take them out easily enough but without being seen? I think it unlikely.”
“Aye, ye are right. Can ye cause a disturbance mayhap?”
“And risk being run through?” Logan shrugged. “Aye, that I can do though who knows what ye shall come up against inside the keep. There are but a few servants and certainly none of our men in there now.”
“Aye, well, I’ve been up against worse.” He considered the moment he’d infiltrated Bute castle and taken Catriona. Who knew his life was destined to change so drastically that day?