Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Silence reigned for a moment, Dru realizing that though they didn’t know if that was true, it could make a difference in what was decided.
“It matters not to the chieftain who has agreed to wed her. He will accept her anyway and the child will be given to a couple in another clan to raise,” Callan said.
Knox’s fury surged, the look in his dark eyes turning lethal. “I will see you and your warriors dead before I let you take my wife and child from me.” He turned to Brack. “And you as well if you allow this.”
“It is not my decision to make but I have a duty to present the offer to Lord Torrance,” Brack insisted.
“You have a duty to protect Lord Torrance’s half-sister,” Knox corrected. “And a duty not to surrender to his threats.”
“Autumn bears her mother’s blood and has a debt to settle for her,” Callan said sharply, then turned to Dru. “But I offer you mercy. Agree to the marriage I recently arranged, and I will remove the death bounty that I placed on you. If not, you die.”
The words echoed starkly in her head, the weight of the offer heavy upon her shoulders.
Knox spoke clearly, though there was anger in his voice as well as fierce protectiveness. “This isn’t my wife’s burden. She owes you nothing.”
“She owes us everything!” the younger warrior snapped.
Knox leveled a steely gaze upon him, unflinching. “Your grievances may be real, but Autumn did not cause them. Punishing her will never heal your wounds.”
Dru felt a touch of Autumn in her, recalling how her mum taught her what was expected of her when she would one day wed and serve a husband, maintain a home, raise children. But she found she preferred the freedom she found in being Dru. She wondered if she could ever be Autumn again or if she even wanted to be.
Dru stepped forward, chin lifted, eyes steady, her voice filled with conviction. “You speak of marriage as though it’s still a question. It’s not. I am already wed and not out of duty or fear. I chose love. I will let nothing or anyone take me away from Knox.”
The declaration rippled through the Great Hall like a stone dropped in still water.
Pride and joy filled Knox’s heart hearing his wife fight for their marriage, their love, their future.
Callan’s face hardened. “Your marriage to him means nothing.”
“My marriage to Knox means everything to me,” she argued with Dru’s unwaivable courage. “He means everything to me, and I will not lose him.”
Callan’s scowled so sharply it could almost be felt. “Consider your choice wisely, granddaughter. Refuse my generous offer and vengeance will be mine.”
Knox’s hand found hers, fingers intertwining in quiet solidarity. Dru gained strength from the warmth of his touch, understanding fully now the depth of sacrifice and tragedy laid at her feet. She straightened her shoulders and felt Dru’s indominable strength and determination flare strong within her.
“My mother’s choices were hers alone and from what you offer me… I wonder if the choice you gave my mother was just as unreasonable, leaving her to do the unthinkable.” Her voice resonated clearly. “You are a fool if you think that I will wed a stranger to satisfy old debts that are not mine. My honor will be earned through my own deeds.”
Callan’s eyes narrowed, studying her. “You are as foolish as your mother. Let’s hope, for his sake, Lord Torrance is wiser.”
“Like my mother, I don’t allow another to decide my fate. Not you. Not Lord Torrance.”
Callan sneered. “You just have with your decision.”
“Nay, that was your decision. You could let this be, end it, but you choose to pursue it. You’re a tyrant and I wonder if my grandmother, your Sophia, didn’t help my mother escape to get away from a cruel and unloving father.”
Knox caught Callan’s hand before it could hit Dru’s face. “NEVER. Ever think that you can lay a hand on my wife.”
Callan tried to yank his hand free, but Knox held firm for a moment, letting him realize that he didn’t come close to matching his strength or resolve.
“You are as wild and disobedient as your mother, and you will suffer for what she did.” Callan looked at Brack. “I will wait for Lord Torrance’s return. If he is wise, he will give my granddaughter to me. Otherwise, I will see her dead.”
Callan turned and walked out, his two warriors following on his heels and four of Lord Torrance’s warriors keeping pace behind them.
Brack shook his head, his face twisted with anger. “Why, in the Lord’s name, did you marry Lord Torrance’s half-sister?”
Dru was quick to answer. “He didn’t know who I was when we wed.”
“Then your marriage is not valid,” Brack argued.
Knox’s temper remained hot. “It most certainly is valid, and we intend to remain married.”