Page 80 of Dark Victory

“My father made peace with the MacDougall, an’ it was a great mistake. While he slept, while we all slept, they came inside Blayde an’ murdered everyone except for me. Children died in their beds that day, Tabitha, Macleod children.”

“You have suffered terribly, Macleod. I wish you had been spared all that you have lived through. And your father was a great man, to attempt to make peace. Whatever you think you owe him, you’ve paid—overpaid! I have no doubt he would want you to be happy.”

He jerked. “Happy? What kind of word is that?”

“He’d want you to be at peace!”

“My duty is revenge.”

She shook her head, her color high now. “What happened here in 1201 was evil. Many innocent men, women and children died. But you’re not evil, and Coinneach is Innocent.”

“An’ now ye’ll harp on me?”

She nodded, her face strained. “I refuse to believe that you are not destined to be a Master. You were born to protect Innocence, not destroy it. I know that massacre made you hard and vengeful. I know you think it your duty to war on your mortal enemies. But you have a much higher calling in life. Why won’t you consider that?”

“Ye sound like MacNeil!” he exclaimed.

She suddenly touched his arm and he felt her compassion flowing from her. “Have you ever considered forgiving the MacDougalls and starting over with them?”

He was disbelieving. “Ye ken naught o’ this world!”

“Others will suffer as you have, both Macleods and MacDougalls, if this does not end. Do you want your son to spend his lifetime beheading MacDougalls to avenge you?”

He trembled with absolute rage. The ramparts shuddered beneath them, around them. “Cease! I willna have a son!”

Her eyes widened. “Of course you won’t. You’re too smart. You would never wish this life on your child.”

He could not allow her to continue this way. He seized her shoulders. He ignored her stiff, resistant body and pulled her closer; she gasped when his manhood brushed her. “Ferget the MacDougall boy,” he snapped. She was very still in his arms, while he pressed fully up against her. “Come with me now, to my chamber. I want this war over…an’ I will win.”

She pushed against him, but she was breathless. “No, stop. I will not be seduced—this is too important!”

He ignored her and wrapped her in his arms. “This is much better, Tabitha, dinna ye agree?”

She trembled violently and it was a surge of desire. He felt a moment’s pure triumph, looked down, and their gazes locked.

Hers was clouded with tears, pride, passion and fierce determination. “Even if I give you my body, I will come back here and free Coinneach.” A tear fell. “Then, even if you beat me, starve me, abuse me, I will stay and help you find a way to get past the massacre.”

He released her. “Even in yer defiance, ye’re the most annoyin’ shrew!”

She hugged herself, rocking on her heels, another tear falling down her cheek. But she didn’t back up or try to flee. “There is something strong and powerful between us,” she whispered. “I saw you across time and you felt and saw me. Not just once but for a century. And the desire, well, it’s obviously still there.” She wiped the tear away. “I’m a Rose. I am proud to be a Rose. Fighting to protect, defend and to help others, is what we do. I am fighting for Coinneach, and I am fighting for you.”

He almost told her he could fight for himself. Instead, he was silent. He was certain he had never encountered such conviction before.

“Macleod, please, let the boy go. His great-grandfather caused the deaths of your family. He is an Innocent.”

He tensed, almost tempted to surrender to her. But the moment he realized that, he knew he had become dangerously weakened. This woman had weakened him. He had to fight her powerful allure. He spoke without passion. “Will ye come down to dine?”

“Can you really watch him die, day by day? Can you?”

Not only could he do so, he would do so. “Come down to dine,” he said again. “This matter is closed.” And if she tried to raise it later, when they were alone, he would change the subject and use his powers of sexual persuasion if he must.

She shook her head. “We won’t be alone later, Macleod. I thought I made that clear.”

His hard body told him otherwise. He crossed his arms and stared. He never spent the night alone and he had no intention of starting now.

“I can’t ignore what you are doing. I will help you, but I can’t share your bed again, and that is that.” She trembled.

He was almost amused. “I never sleep alone,” he finally said. “If ye refuse me, I will send for another woman.” He was merely stating a fact.