The Witch and The Warrior Read Free Page B

all be killed.
    â€œI am sorry,” she said to MacDunn, her voice ragged. “You shouldn’t have tried. Now you will all die.” She eased her grip on his waist, preparing to slide off his charger and meet her fate.
    His hand clamped firmly over her wrist, holding her to him.
    â€œI really think you should open the gate and let us pass, MacSween,” said MacDunn pleasantly, ignoring Robert.
    Laird MacSween, who had not ventured from his honored seat on the dais, looked uncertainly at Robert.
    â€œI don’t believe you quite understand your situation, Laird MacDunn,” drawled Robert, his tone heavily mocking. “Permit me to enlighten you. You are surrounded by my warriors.”
    MacDunn lifted a brow in surprise. “Forgive me. I was under the impression that your brother was laird.”
    â€œHe is,” Robert conceded stiffly, “but
I
lead the MacSween army. And by my estimation, there are but three of you against hundreds,” he added, gesturing to his clan.
    â€œYou are right,” agreed MacDunn, not sounding overly concerned. “But if you do not permit us to leave, I am afraid we will have no choice but to kill her.”
    Gwendolyn gasped and tried to wrench her hand away. MacDunn tightened his grip, holding her fast.
    Robert regarded him in disbelief. And then he threw back his head and laughed. “This is your threat to me?” he sputtered. “By God, it seems you really are light in the head. Kill her, then, MacDunn, if it pleases you. You will merely be saving me the trouble.”
    â€œReally?” said MacDunn. He appeared genuinely perplexed. “I would have thought you were fonder of her than that.”
    Robert’s amusement increased. “I care nothing for her,” he assured MacDunn. “Do what you will.”
    MacDunn contemplated this a moment, then shrugged his shoulders. “Very well, then. Kill her, Brodick.”
    Gwendolyn squirmed to get down, but MacDunn did not release his iron grip.
    â€œPapa!”
    Everyone turned and gasped. Isabella was seated on a horse in front of the same MacDunn warrior who moments earlier had been making her breathless with desire. Her need for air seemed even greater now, but that obviously had something to do with the dagger he was pressing to her throat.
    Laird MacSween’s wife stood, screamed, then fainted dead away.
    â€œAre you sure you want her dead, MacDunn?” asked Brodick. “She’s rather comely.”
    â€œI don’t want her dead at all,” MacDunn assured him. “Robert does. He doesn’t care for her.”
    â€œRelease her!” snarled Robert.
    â€œReally, Robert, I wish you would make up your mind,” said MacDunn. “You just finished telling me I should kill her.”
    â€œYou know bloody well I wasn’t talking about Isabella!”
    â€œThen who would you like me to kill?” asked MacDunn, trying to be patient.
    â€œPapa, do something!” pleaded Isabella.
    Laird MacSween opened his mouth to speak but was instantly cut off by his brother.
    â€œWhat can you possibly want with this witch?” Robert’s expression was reserved, but Gwendolyn knew he feared MacDunn had somehow learned of the stone. Affecting a more persuasive tone, he added, “Surely you must realize that by stealing one of our clan, you risk war.”
    â€œI am mad,” replied MacDunn, shrugging. “Mad men do mad things. Besides”—he tilted his head toward the blaze now raging around the stake—“I thought you were finished with her.”
    â€œShe is evil,” Robert persisted gravely. “And a murderess. You cannot take her, MacDunn. She must be killed or she will destroy you and your people.”
    MacDunn smiled. “Thank you, Robert, for your concern. I am deeply touched. Now raise the portcullis or Brodick will slit fair Isabella’s throat.”
    Robert hesitated.
    â€œPapa, make them