She refused to think along those lines.

Every step inside the castle added to her foreboding. It grew until it clung to her, weighing her down and making her doubt her every move.

Several corridors, numerous turns, and two stairways later, Jean stood in front of Niall's chamber.

No guards had stood in her way, there had been no guards at all. She had been relieved since she hadn't thought she could have overpowered them with her dagger. Now there was just a door between her and Niall's defeat.

And whatever was behind that door.

Eight.

Jean cracked open the door to Niall's chambers and peered around it. Her gaze swept the large room and, thankfully, found it empty.

She squeezed inside and went straight to the wall where a large square chest was imbedded. Jean slipped the key into the chest's lock and turned.

With a click the door popped open. Jean stared at the small box inside, a box that could change everything. She began to reach for it when the sound of laughter halted her.

"I expected Braden, not you, Jean. However, it's just like my cousin to send someone to do the things he doesna have the courage to do himself."

A sizzle of fear crept over her skin as she turned to face Niall. "You think you know so much. But you don't."

"On the contrary, my lady, I know a great deal." He motioned with his hand and Mary stepped into view.

All the breath left Jean as she realized Mary was the traitor in Braden's camp. "Why?" she asked Mary.

Mary shrugged slim shoulders and smiled at Niall. "Because he asked it of me."

Jean couldn't believe everything was going to fall apart. "Mary, you do realize Niall doesn't care about you."

"He said he'll marry me," Mary murmured, her devoted eyes on Niall.

Niall laughed and jerked his head to the door. "I'll find you later, Mary. Right now, I've other things to tend to."

Jean seethed, but she held her tongue until she learned just what he had planned.

He ran a hand across the red mark that had scarred him from his eye to his cheek. A mark she had given him. "You've scarred me."

"I wish I'd done more."

"I think maybe I should give you a scar of your own."

Jean lifted her chin and raised her brow.

Niall chuckled. "I've known that one day Braden would try to take the castle from me. He will learn soon enough it isn't possible. This castle should have been mine. I've made sure of that now."

"Your time here is through."

Niall smiled, evil pouring off him. "Do you know what's in the box you've worked so diligently to acquire?"

Jean kept silent. She didn't know. Whatever it was, it was evidence that would seal Niall's fate.

"Ah, so Braden didna tell you. I like to keep trophies of my kills. I would have a trophy of Braden as well had he been caught that night as he was supposed to be. Unfortunately, for the past two years he's managed to evade every attempt I've made to end his life."

Jean's knees threatened to buckle as Niall's words sunk into her brain. "You're insane."

"I think it's time we find Braden. I know he's somewhere in the castle."

"He's not," Jean lied. "I was to get the box and deliver it to him."

Niall chuckled and shook his head. "Doona play me for a fool. Braden wouldna send you alone."

Jean was going to continue arguing but Niall lifted his sword pointed the blade at her heart.

"It's time I killed my cousin. And you, my lady, are going to help me do it."

Braden cursed as he paused to look out a window into the bailey. He spotted several of his men who had managed to hinder or kill guards and take their positions. Niall had so many men that the infiltration had been easy.

But where was Keith?

Braden had waited near the stairs leading to the great hall far longer than he had liked, yet Keith had never shown. There was only one thing that would have kept Keith from getting to Braden. Death.

He would have to find the commander and get the key himself.

Braden knew something was wrong when the servants around the castle began to leave. And no new guards came to check on the others.

And there was no sign of Keith or Niall.

Braden leaned his head against the stone wall and sighed. He had hoped he would come out of this attack alive. He thought of Jean, of the peace and contentment her mere presence gave him.

He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her in his arms. He wanted to grow old with her, to see her belly swell with their children, and watch those children grow.

But, somehow, he had always known he would never have such a future. Niall had made sure of that.

The thump of boot heels on the stones drew his attention. He pressed against the wall, his sword held in front of him. To his right was a corner where two corridors intersected. Those foot falls were coming right towards him.

Braden waited patiently. He knew it was Niall, knew the time had come for them to battle each other. No escape for either of them this time.

One would die.

And one would live.

The sounds came closer, reached the corner. Braden twisted his blade and swung it to his right, the edge of his sword at the throat of the intruder.

His eyes widened as he heard a small, feminine gasp. It was as if a dagger had plunged into his heart when he recognized Jean.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered.

Her face crumpled as a tear fell onto her cheek. "I'm sorry."

Braden frowned.

Someone shoved Jean from behind. She stumbled, but quickly righted herself as the tip of a sword was pressed into her back.

Niall came into view.

"I knew I was going to enjoy the last expression on your face," Nail said. "It's almost been worth all the trouble you've caused me these past years."

Rage burned and simmered through Braden. The mere fact Niall had hold of Jean made Braden want to run him through. "Trouble? You've not seen what I have in store for you."

There were shouts from outside the castle and the sound of something rumbling. Braden smiled. The clans had gathered.

Niall's nostrils flared as he glared at Braden. He grabbed Jean's arm and shoved her into a nearby chamber so he could look out the window.

Braden followed them and watched Niall's building fury. "You didna really think you could get away with your murders forever, did you? Whether you kill me or not, there are others that know of the box of your trophies."

"So I'll destroy it," Niall said as he whirled around, spittle flying from his lips.

Braden didn't like how close Niall was to Jean. "There will be enough testimonies by the lairds to convince the king of your trespasses even without the box. Your reign ends today."

"I doona believe so, cousin," Nail said through clenched teeth. "I see the way you watch Jean, the way you try so hard not to alert me to her presence. You care for her. You've allowed her to meddle in our affairs. And for that, you get to watch me kill her."

Red flooded Braden's vision. He knew he needed to end all this. He bellowed and raised his sword over his head. Niall had no choice but to release Jean or be impaled.

Niall jumped out of the way, shoving Jean into the wall as he did. Out of the corner of his eye, Braden noticed that Jean was completely still after she hit the floor.

He wanted to go to her, to see if she was all right. But first he had to kill Niall.

Braden rotated his wrist, sending his sword slicing around him. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment."

Niall swung his sword at Braden's head. Braden blocked the attack and spun, aiming his blade at Niall's throat. Niall leaned backwards, but not quick enough.

Braden smiled when he saw the blood bead on his cousin's throat. "I'll take you piece by piece if I must."

Niall touched his neck and looked at the blood on his fingers. "I hope you enjoyed that, cousin, because that's all you're going to get from me."

There were no more words and they clashed once more. Again and again Niall attacked, and each time Braden effortlessly blocked him. Niall's anger was making him careless, sloppy.

With his left hand, Braden grabbed at the hand in which Niall held his sword. He elbowed Niall twice in the face before he swung back his fist and connected with his jaw. Blood gushed from Niall's broken nose. His scream of fury was music to Braden's ears.

Jean split open her eyes. Pain thudded through her head. She lifted a hand to her brow and came away with something thick and sticky on her fingers.

Blood.

She heard a horrible, angry scream and turned her head in time to see Braden's triumphant smile. With blood pouring down Niall's face, she found herself smiling as well.

Jean watched in fascination as Braden's sword moved with such speed and grace. Niall was no match for Braden's skill.

The sound of swords clanging ended in a rush. Braden knocked Niall's steel out of his hands. There wasn't a moment's hesitation as Braden plunged his blade into Niall's abdomen.

Niall clawed at Braden's arms and his knees buckled and he crumpled to the floor.

Braden withdrew his sword. "It's over. Finally." Niall had breathed his last.

"Aye," Jean whispered.

Braden's head whipped around. He was at her side in the next instant, his hands gentle as they cupped her face. "Are you hurt?"

"Just my head. I'll be fine."

"I've never been so scared in my life as I was when I saw he had you yet again."

Jean smiled up at the man who had captured her heart. "I'm sorry."

Braden pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady beat of his heart. This is where she always wanted to be. In Braden's arms.

Braden helped her to her feet, and they made their way to the battlements. As soon as Braden's men saw him they let up a cheer that was echoed by the clans who surrounded the castle.

"It worked," Braden mumbled as he looked out over the sea of warriors.

Jean smiled and threaded her fingers with his. "Of course it did."

"There's just one thing missing now that I have my home returned." He turned his head until his bright blue eyes met hers. "You."

Jean's heart thumped wildly in her chest. "What is it that you want, Braden MacAlister?"

"You. With me always. I'm asking you to be my wife."

She smiled through the tears that flooded her eyes. "I want nothing more."

His mouth descended on hers for a kiss filled with passion and promise, of longing ... and love.

"God's blood," he whispered into her neck as he held her tightly. "I love you, Jean MacKay."

"And I love you."

"Good," said a deep, booming voice behind Braden. A voice Jean recognized all too well.

Braden stepped away from her and faced her father. "Laird MacKay."

"Laird MacAlister," her father replied.

"Thank you for coming," Braden said.