Highland Chieftain (Book 5)

Chapter 11

AN - Moving on a bit now, I have had this written for a while now, just waiting for the right moment to finally insert it in the story! Enjoy Az x

Chapter 11

Anger was a constant companion for Larena, she went through life on the cusp of an outburst at any moment. It was tiring and ultimately, she slowly began to realise that it had been going on too long for her to change, but it had change too much the opinions of others, that she realised too late the damage she had already done. Pushing everyone away with anger, holding close some through fear, she was, even in her own eyes, evil incarnate. Yet that tiny part of her still shone with the need to be seen, the need to be wanted and the need to be loved.

When Kendrick had finally appeared almost a year after the betrothal had been set, Larena could not stand being near him. Both the pain of his betrayal and the pain of the memories she tried to keep locked away from the aftermath of their actions. So she watched him instead, flirting and playing with any female that approached him. It seemed that not seeing her was not an issue that plagued him with any terrible pain. For a male who had whispered such sweet things into her ear, it was so easy for him to not even glance in her direction. Eventually, Larena figured that he had forgotten their encounter completely.

As her father had, whilst his body had started to fail him, his spirit had not been dimmed, he still wanted nothing to do with her physically. He did not wish to look upon her, or be in her presence. But he would still lavish her with gifts as if to make up for the lack of warmth she received, in a way it only fuelled the fire she knew was a raging uncontrolled inferno within. It was why when Isla made the request of her she would not even entertain the idea of it.

For Larena was having none of it. How dare Isla order her about like this? She was supposedly now the Lady of the Keep, therefore, Isla should no longer be able to give her such orders, in such a condescending and patronising manner. How very dare she? A woman who was older than time, expected Larena to give up something that her father had given her. Actually not only one dress, but more and some personal items. All because her brother had decided to pick up a waif from the side of the road, a woman who had captured his attention and now she was expected to clothe her and see to her other needs.

Why should she, a woman of higher birth and extensive gifts from her father, give anything to someone her brother had decided to take to his bed? When in the end she would be out on the streets once more before Larena had even had a chance to pick out the worst of items to 'give' this stray. She could almost feel sorry for the woman, but then, she should know that all males were the same, out for what they wanted, but never there when they were truly needed.

Storming down the cold, stone corridor, she fumed silently as she came to a stop before the door she required. Rapping her knuckles so hard upon the wood that she knew the pain would last for a while after she stopped knocking. But she refused to let up until her unsympathetic brother, rose from his bed and answered to her. It was some minutes later before Camdyn, looking very rumpled and sleep deprived, in nothing but his kilt and boots, finally answered the door to her. "About time you answered, you ungrateful lout."

He made no reaction to her words, only leaning against the door jamb with a heavy sigh as he ran his hand over his face. "What can I do for you this morn, Larena?"

Well he had asked, had he not? She knew her voice had risen so high that most could not tolerate it, so they usually gave up the argument. Only Cam and Isla were the ones who seemed immune...not that she did not try it with them, they had to fall in line at some point. "How dare you pick up some random woman on you way home? Do you know anything about her? Yet here I am, being ordered to pass my things to her to make her comfortable. Camdyn MacKay, Isla has dutifully informed me that I must relinquish some of my gifts from father, to your vagabond. So I am here to inform you that, you will get nothing from me. I will have none of this. If it were up to me she would not even be within this Keep, instead she would be out in the village, not that I care where. Instead you have given her a place here, which equals a guest of status, when Isla informs me that she has nothing at all to her name."

As she took in a deep breath, so as to continue with her diatribe against her unimpressed brother. Taking exception to the fact he lifted his eyes away from her to the door opposite his where Isla had informed Larena that Camdyn's guest had been housed. Before his eyes came back to her, she started once more. How dare he take his attention from her? "How dare you bring some strange woman back? Do you have any idea what this will mean? I will be forced to give her hospitality for you are the heir, and all must bow down to that obviously. So now, Isla feels the need to start ordering me about again. Trying to get me to give up the best of my gowns, the most expensive gifts from our father, to this woman you have decided to drop on us so suddenly." Another sharp intake of breath was needed.

"If anything this woman should be begging me for a position in this Keep. Not expecting my cast offs, which I may have graciously given, had she herself thrown herself on my mercy. But no, instead I find that her request comes through you and Isla. So, when she finally does come to thrown herself at my feet, to beg of the lowest position I can give her then possibly I will consider her request. But at this moment I want her out, she will get nothing from me. You want her in your bed fine, but I will not have her in a separate room. You want her for yourself, find her a position on her back if she wants, but I will give nothing." Pausing for another breath, she found she could not continue as Camdyn's face clouded over with the blackest thunder, his voice lowering to its quietest and most lethal note. Not that it terrified her at all, she had been through worse, why should she care what he did to her now? When he had not been there when she most needed him?

She had seen his men tremble before him, when he had unleashed it upon them. In this case however, Cam advanced on her. She may not tremble but she was also not stupid. She walked back a step to each of his steps forward. Ending with a thump as her back hit the rough stone wall, her brother caging her in against it, never had he treated her in such a way. Ever. That was what truly shuck her in this situation. The fact he acted so very different to how he would have before he left on this trade trip. "Listen, Larena, and listen well. You have had free reign in this Keep for too long. You stand there stating she should beg at your feet for a position. But why would she do that, when you, dearest Larena, have done nothing for the position of mistress here. All the work the mistress of the Keep should undertake is completed by Isla.

You on the other hand are quite quick to spend any money accrued by this clan in that extensive wardrobe of yours. But what have you done to deserve it. Just your birth right will not cut it anymore. You are spoilt and lazy, how do you expect me to find a husband for you when tales of your rages are spread around the Highlands. So you listen well. You will be giving up some of your dresses to our guest, you will treat her with the Highland hospitality expected of the daughter of the Chief. And if I hear anything to tell me differently you will greatly regret it. Do I make myself understood?"

Staring, in outraged, wide-eyed silence. Larena found herself in shock, her brother had never been this harsh with her. What right did he think he had now to talk to her this way? Father would hear of this, and whilst he was sick, he was still laird and Cam would have to listen to his dictates. No matter how much Cam disagreed as the heir he would carry out the laird's wishes. She would not stand for this, she was his sister, he could not talk to her in this manner, she would not allow for this. How dare he talk to her in such a manner? Not when he had brought home such a waif. Nothing was right now, this girl was going to change everything she could feel it...she needed to make sure that at the end of this, she still came out on top.

So as Cam dropped his hands from either side of her head, stalking away to his chamber, Larena caught her breath and stalked off to her own chamber. She had to plan an attack to make sure this woman did not usurp her power in this clan. For when everything else was gone, the only thing Larena actually had was that power.