- I'm not a hooker like that woman who came into my room hinting! - she screamed angrily. - It was you who insisted on marrying me, even after I begged you not to. I tried anyway to dissuade him, but his ego is so big that he preferred to challenge Ravenna MacBride on pure whim.
I turned my eyes to her.
- How dare you! I didn't try to challenge Ravenna! - I fired. - I chose you because...
- Yes, you did! - she cut me off. - That's all he's been doing for years. Challenge and challenge, without measuring the consequences. He's so spoiled that he convinced his father to accept a law that doesn't even exist anymore.
I looked at her incredulously. No one's ever spoken to me like that before. I didn't know if I was angry that Aideen was trying to turn the table or fascinated by his breakup.
- I'm not spoiled! - he said between his teeth. - You don't know me to declare such a thing.
- And neither do you to me, to declare that I'm a prostitute. - she took a break. - It wasn't my will that I was taken. I tried to tell you, but all you think about is yourself and you don't listen to anyone.
I just stood there for a second. I knew the tricks women used to fool us. That's how Rose convinced me to go back to her bed every time I tried to get away. Snarling, I closed the gap between us with broad strides and grabbed Aideen's throat hard. I leaned her against the wall and lifted her up like a sheet of paper. She grabbed my wrist with both hands. Her eyes were wide open and they denounced the dread she felt.
- I don't believe you! I know every trick a woman uses when she wants to seduce us. - I whispered cold. - You're nothing but a witch with those bewitching eyes.
- So it's not a lack of dignity? - she said between laughter and panting voice. - You're angry because you're attracted to me, so you're reluctant to deny me?
It provoked him even though he was in a lower position.
- If I'm a witch, throw me in the fire! - she fired. - Believe me. It'll be better for both of us if you do that.
Once again I was speechless because of your challenging stance. I was trying to humiliate her, but she didn't seem to care. I just wouldn't accept being called a whore. She also seemed to want death. That was clear when you challenged me to send her to the fire. She knew the punishment for treason was the gallows. In our tradition, a woman should marry a virgin. If this condition was not met, the husband had the possibility to return the bride and annul the marriage. Still, to wash her honor as a betrayed man, I could send her hanging.
I didn't want to send her to the gallows, because I didn't want her dead. If I gave it back, I'd have to explain it to my dad, the motive and that, it'd be a good sermon. I'd have to accept that I was wrong about my choice and he'd insist on marrying Annabel. I could already see Ravenna's triumphant smile when I got the news. Anger flooded my body when I realized I'd be humiliated by that treacherous woman.
- Get your things ready! - said by loosening his throat. - You're going back to Inverness tonight. You and that whole bunch you call family. In the morning I'll talk to my dad and we'll see what we can do to get the wedding annulled.
Aideen coughed trying to catch her breath. She raised her challenging gaze at me, but instead of sudden courage and the will to challenge me again, there was fear. For a moment, I almost regretted my decision, but I soon remembered that I was dealing with a daughter of Ravenna. That fear was merely a front, for Aideen knew all the tricks to manipulating a person.
- I thought you were gonna have me killed. - she fired in a desperate voice.
I stopped that comment, but I ignored it by going to the door.
- I'm not cruel at this point. - I said coldly.
- It wouldn't be cruelty, but a gesture of compassion. She argued.
Once again, your words have intrigued me. I did not understand why she wanted me to take her life, but that was out of the question. I wouldn't have Aideen's blood on my hands and I was convinced of it.
As I left, I slammed the door and left it. I sat back with my eyes closed for a few moments. I could hear Aideen crying on the other side and a sudden anguish took over my being. That cry was desperate. Aideen should be happy to come home instead of having to lie with someone who might never replace the man she had loved before. I was breathing slowly as I tried to calm down. I had the feeling I was betrayed. I knew I was being hypocritical, because I was used to lying with Rose, even though I knew she was lying with my brother and my cousin. If Aideen hadn't said anything or suddenly I hadn't been suspicious, maybe I never knew she'd already had another lover and I'd look like a fool. I was so angry, I wanted to kill Ravenna.
I took a deep breath and removed myself from the door. I looked at the end of the corridor where the top of the staircase that led to the downstairs was located and I started to walk towards
