Daniea's face contorted into a vicious smirk. "Father." She acknowledged.

Then turning towards Colum, a wide smile of true affection appeared on her face. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Jamie frozen to the spot he stood. Colum cleared his throat multiple times as Taran finally sat back down, swishing the ale within his goblet in an arrogant fashion.

" I believe there is congratulations in order, my nephew and your daughter have been married." Colum stated attempting to move the conversation away from Taran's blusterous accusation.

"I agreed to no such match." Taran growled.

Daniea chirped up before Colum became increasingly more agitated.

"Father?" She purred stepping up towards the table. He leaned forward as she whispered in his ear. Within seconds his hand was crushing down around her throat as an evil laugh sounded from within her.

All the men drew their weapons and began making their way swiftly to her aid but halted when her hand went up to her side, signaling them to stand down. She spoke once more, so that only Taran could hear. His skin paled as his hand slowly withdrew from her now bruising neck. Jamie could see her face, staring her father down. The smile and glare she gave him made his stomach turn as it practically dripped with venom.

The woman he stared at now wasn't his beloved. This woman was dangerous and not to be trifled with. This woman made dread creep into Jamie heart and began to make him question how far his love was willing to go.

Dougal broke the tension by slapping Taran on the back breaking him from the fearful trance Daniea had induced him in.

"I believe it is a match that you will come to approve of. And we will be able to discuss this at length later on, but for now we are all tired and wish to eat and rest. Colum? Shall we continue this tomorrow?"

Colum shook his head feverishly. "Of course.. of course why doesn't everyone get settled and Mrs. Fitz would be more than happy to bring you supper."

Without a word Murtagh and the boys headed off as Dougal and Colum stayed to chat with Taran.

Jamie felt a tug on his arm and simply followed the pressure. It was Daniea guiding him upstairs to the room they would now share together, the same room where she had first bandaged him up within.

As soon as the heavy door clicked closed behind them Jamie whirled on Daniea. Grabbing her by the shoulders tightly, making her stare into his furious eyes.

"Who.. are.. you?" He seethed.

"I'm your wife." She stated calmly trying to not let the pain of his ever increasingly tight grip show.

"You are not my wife!" He growled. "My wife is a sweet, loving woman who could never…"

"James let me go." Daniea stated trying to remain calm.

"Who are you! What are you?"

"Let me go and I will explain." She tried once again.

His grip tightened even more. "You think me a daft fool, let a viper like you go."

Within two heartbeats, she had maneuvered out of his grasp and had drawn her blade.

He stood shocked unable to wrap his head around what had just happened.

"I am not a viper you horse's arse! I am your wife! And if you ever lay a hand on me ever again in such a way James Fraser I will cut off your manhood and feed it to the dogs, do you understand me!" She screamed, her Irish temper in full blast.

He remained still, his hands clasped to his sides.

"I told them this was a terrible idea, we should… I should have told you but Murtagh said it shouldn't be known unless it was necessary." She panted, talking partially to herself and partially to Jamie.

"Jamie please calm down and listen to me before you go doing or saying something you will regret." Daniea pleaded, putting down her blade. "You owe me at least that much you hot headed ninny."

"Are you what he claims? An assassin?" Jamie questioned fearful of the answer.

Daniea let out the breath she had been holding, "Yes and no, I was once but no more."

"How can I believe you? That woman I saw in the hall was hideous and cruel... I don't know you at all."

"Jamie please? Daniea begged, "It's was all an act I promise. I developed it long ago to deal with my father and men like him. Jamie, I told you on our wedding night that most men who tried to rape me paid with their lives..."

Jamie brushed past her, cutting her off and sat on the bed, clasping his head in his hands.

"Jamie. I'm sorry for not telling you every grisly part of my past but I didn't want to burden you with it. All you need to know is yes, at one time in my life I did what I had to, to survive which was to make sure certain people didn't remain breathing. People like Randall."

She kneeled in front of him, running her hands down his arms.

"Jamie I have never lied to you. I am the same person I was yesterday and the day before that. I have a past that is misunderstood much like you do."

"Aye, but I never murdered people in cold blood."

"That's not fair… I had to I…"

Jamie pulled her into his embrace, kissing her angrily before releasing her and walking towards the door.

"Jamie? What was…"

"I was kissing my wife goodbye, she might as well be dead to me because the woman who stands before me could never be her. If you can murder then only god knows what else you have done or are willing to do. " He told her, his voice rough and cracked.

"But…. you're mine.." She sobbed, as the door slammed shut.

Dropping to her knees she cradled herself against the anger and finality of his words.

She stayed their all night rocking back and forth on the floor, humming a song her mother sang to her to try and keep from shattering into a million pieces.

Meanwhile Jamie rode into the village with Angus, Rupert and Murtagh to drown his sorrows and give them an earful.

"She's no better than that bastard Randall! He kept yelling in his drunken stupor, unyielding to their plights to just sleep it off and try talking to her in the morning. As the night grew ever darker the company of women made themselves known around the tavern, and each dark haired woman aroused a new furious reaction from Jamie.

"Go back to the castle boy, crawl into bed with the girl and sleep this off." Murtagh told him, all too aware of his fragile state.

"She has you under her spell." He slurred looking at Murtagh, "She has you all under her spell… Siren indeed…" He muttered remembering his conversation with her on the hill. Casting a growing wave of hurt and lust coursing through his body.

"She's no siren you fool, you're drunk." Rupert stated barely able to see straight.

"I shall prove it then!" Jamie announced waving over one of the women.

Angus and Murtagh looked at each other confused then horrified.

"I shall break her spell on me once and for all." He slurred taking the woman's hand, signaling for her to show him the way. Her mousey brown eyes gleamed at the attractive, drunken client, expecting a pleasant night.

"Jamie don't do this." Murtagh growled. "You have a loving woman at home who would do anything and has done anything for you. If you do this no matter how drunk you are or not, no matter how mad and hurt you are right now, you will regret this."

Murtagh then pulled the woman from Jamie's grasp, maneuvering her over to Angus.

"I say the man can do whatever he pleases. If his woman don't please him, I know I sure as hell can." She spatted making her way back to Jamie, not wanting to trade the handsome one for the more lowly possibility.

"Jamie!" Murtagh threatened.

He downed the rest of his ale and pulled the wench in tight to his side. "I'm done talking." He growled, turning away from the group, ready and willing to follow the woman into a back room.