Highlander Oath Of The Beast

by Donna Fletcher

  Raven watched her brother do just that and by the time he got done filling a tankard, without sending a teasing jab her way, she knew something was wrong. “What do you hesitate to tell me? Is it Da? Is he not well? Oria?” Her husband’s body grew as taut as a bow string upon hearing his sister’s name.

  “All are well,” Arran quickly assured her.

  She leaned across the table, her eyes directly on her brother. “I see worry in your eyes.”

  Arran looked ready to respond, when his glance suddenly shifted to Wolf. “Brynjar is here in Scotland.”

  “How? When? And how did you learn of this?” Wolf demanded, annoyed Arran learned of it before he did. He paid people generously to keep him updated on such things.

  “It’s all thanks to you,” Arran said, a spark of anger to his words. “I made acquaintances on foreign soil when fighting for you, and once free I began to trade with them. One such acquaintance, having no like for Brynjar, spotted him and sent word to me.”

  Raven wished she could tell her brother the truth, that it had been the King he fought for and not Wolf. One day she would.

  “Where is he?” Wolf asked, resting his hand on his wife’s back, needing to make sure he kept her close.

  “He was last seen on his ship, but he could be anywhere by now,” Arran said. “My sister is not safe. I have come to take her home with me.”

  Wolf’s words rang with warning. “My wife isn’t going anywhere.”

  “If you want to keep her safe, you’ll let her return home with me,” Arran argued.

  “I am home, Arran,” Raven said and leaned back against her husband, his arm going around her and capturing her tight, making it clear he wouldn’t let her go.

  Wolf didn’t allow the joy her words brought him to show. He felt the same, that he’d finally come home and it was because of her. He wasn’t about to let her go or leave her safety to someone else.

  “My wife has nothing to fear. She is not only well aware that I will keep her safe, but she also knows that I am well aware that she is more than capable of protecting herself,” Wolf said with pride.

  Raven turned a huge smile on him. “I’m glad you’ve finally admitted that.” Her smile softened when she turned to look at her brother. “You need to realize that, Arran.”

  “I’ve spoken to Clive—”

  Raven interrupted, eager to ask, “Are he and Bethany doing well,”

  “They are, but Angus isn’t,” Arran said and shook away the distraction. “Clive told Royden and me much about you. It tore at my heart to hear what you were made to endure, though I can’t deny that you’ve come out stronger for it. But Brynjar is pure evil, I know, I suffered at his hands.”

  “I’m sorry you suffered like that and I’m grateful to Wolf and Royden for rescuing you, but I won’t live in fear of this man. And I have no doubt that my husband will make certain Brynjar’s reign of terror comes to an end.”

  Arran sneered. “I want that pleasure.”

  “We can share it,” Wolf offered, understanding his need for revenge.

  “Your word on that?” Arran asked.

  “I would agree, but it will depend on the circumstances, which may leave either one of us no choice.”

  Arran nodded. “That’s true, though I would like to be the one who delivers the last blow. I owe it to him not only for what he did to me and countless other prisoners, but for what he intended to do to my wife and now my sister.”

  “Hopefully that can be arranged,” Wolf said and went on to explain what they had pieced together so far concerning Brynjar.

  “So he has men passing information to him and if one fails to do so another shows up, which means it is never-ending,” Arran said. “Even if you catch one of them, there’s a good chance he won’t know anything that will help. Brynjar often sends out prisoners with only one task to accomplish and they are given no other information or instructions, except if the person fails to carry out the task, his punishment is death and not an easy one.”

  “With Arran once having been a captive of Brynjar’s, maybe he would recognize the dead man,” Lars suggested.

  Arran’s scowl went straight to his sister. “Another attempt on your life?”

  “We’re not sure since this one froze to death before he reached us,” Raven said.

  “Let me take a look,” Arran offered.

  Lars joined them as they walked to the shed that housed the dead man. The village was alive with activity. Women busy chatting with each other after days confined to their homes, while children engaged in endless snowball fights, and men sat around campfires talking while others whittled away at pieces of wood.

  Raven smiled when she saw Eria pointing to one of the many intricately carved posts throughout the village. George was mastering the Norse symbols and language as well as gaining favor with Eria. She spotted Fyn having a snowball fight with Tait, the little lad’s cheeks blossoming red and peals of laughter spilling out of him. Greta looked on, her smile one of pure happiness. Life was good here and the thought startled her.

  Raven trailed into the shed after the men to see Arran shaking his head, though he remained silent and continued staring at the dead man. It was almost as if by staring at him he’d will himself to recognize him.

  “He is a stranger to me,” Arran finally said. “He had nothing on him that might help identify him as belonging to a particular tribe since his garments are those of a Northman?”

  “A knife that has since disappeared,” Raven said.

  “Someone took it?” Arran asked and his sister confirmed with a nod, then his eyes darted to Wolf.

  Wolf acknowledged his thought without Arran speaking. “We are well aware Brynjar could have planted one of his people among us.”

  “What are you doing about it?” Arran demanded, worried for his sister.

  “Your sister is never alone. Her men and two of my best warriors follow her at all times. Gorm is compiling a list of those who are relatively new to the tribe and volunteered to move from our homeland to here. I’m not concerned with the clan members already here. They would have no connection with Brynjar. I don’t believe they were even aware of his existence before we arrived and even if they were, there was no way they’d have contact with him.”

  Arran wasn’t happy to hear that. “So this dead man remains a missing piece to a puzzle.”

  “For now,” Raven said, “but pieces usually fall into place after a while.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Arran said.

  “Maybe Arran saw Sten when he was a captive of Brynjar and would know if Sten’s tale is true or false,” Lars suggested.

  “A good point,” Wolf said. “Bring Sten to the longhouse.”

  Lars left and the three stepped out of the shed.

  “I need to speak with Gorm. I will join you and your brother back at the longhouse,” Wolf said and gave Raven a quick kiss before walking off.

  “He gives us time to talk,” Raven said, pleased her husband had done so.

  “You favor him,” Arran said, having seen it for himself and recalling the advice Purity had given him before he left.

  You may have reason to hate Wolf, but you have more reason not to if you love your sister.

  Raven wasn’t ready to admit to anyone, especially Arran, that she actually had feelings for Wolf, deeper feelings than she ever would have thought possible. “We have found common ground that makes our situation more than tolerable.”

  “Afraid to tell me the truth?” Arran accused.

  She kicked at a patch of snow and shook her head. “I’m not sure, Arran.”

  “Are you afraid to tell me or are you afraid of the truth?”

  “I suppose a bit of both,” she reluctantly admitted.

  He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Never be afraid of telling me anything, Raven. I may tease you endlessly but I love you with all my heart and would protect you with my life. I hated that you gave, in a sense, your life so that Royden and I could be free. It
would be a relief to know that you and Wolf care enough for each other to have a good life together.”

  “You think he cares for me?” she asked anxiously.

  “I don’t care for the man, but I must admit that he looks at you far differently from when he first arrived at the Clan MacKinnon. And he touches you with a tenderness that I never expected to see, though I am glad for it. I will worry less knowing that you’re not trapped in an uncaring and unkind marriage.”

  She never thought she would have any reason to say, “Wolf truly treats me well.”

  Arran laughed. “Good, then I don’t have to kill him.”

  Raven punched him in the arm.

  He lowered his voice. “I would if necessary.”

  Raven squeezed his hand this time. “I know, which is why I agreed to this marriage. I knew you and Royden would keep me safe if it proved necessary.”

  Arran came to an abrupt stop, shocked by the realization of her remark.

  “I knew I could depend on you both, though I’m grateful it isn’t necessary,” she said with a gentle smile.

  “You are an amazing woman,” he said. “You protected us, knowing we’d protect you if it became necessary.”

  “I knew you’d keep that promise you all made that day in Da’s solar and I made it right along with you, though you didn’t know I did. It didn’t matter that I was young. I was willing, just like all of you were, to protect family, to protect those I love.”

  “And you do that now with Wolf?” Arran asked.

  “Aye,” she said without hesitation.

  They continued walking.

  “You do realize what you just admitted to me, right?” Arran asked as they neared the door to the longhouse.

  Raven scrunched her brow. “What are you talking about?”

  “You said you protect family, those you love, and I asked if you did that now with Wolf and you didn’t hesitate in saying, aye. That means… you love Wolf.”

  Raven turned her head to shake it, to deny what her brother had said, and stopped. Her husband stood not far from them and from the questioning way he looked at her, she knew he had heard them.

  She was relieved that Lars approached with Sten at that moment, but she knew this wasn’t the end of it. Wolf would ask her about it when they were alone and she wasn’t sure what she would say to him.

  “Inside, you’re shivering,” Wolf ordered and slipped his arm around her when he reached her and hurried her inside.

  Arran followed with a smile on his face, eager to tell Royden that their sister was doing more than well.

  Wolf slipped off his wife’s cloak and placed one that had been warming by the fire around her before she took a seat at the table. He ordered Ida to bring more hot brew and once he and Arran were seated, Lars approached them with Sten.

  Before Arran could say anything, Sten spoke up. “I saw you there. You are the brave one everyone talks about, the one Brynjar hates. The one who escaped him, then stole from him the woman who was to be his wife. He took his wrath out on many when he returned home a failure.”

  “I don’t recall you,” Arran said.

  “You wouldn’t. You didn’t see me. I was one of many who were forced to watch you and the other prisoners get whipped,” Sten said and shuddered at the horrible memory. “You were strong and brave and Brynjar hated that you didn’t fear him like everyone did. He intended to have his revenge against you. He planned to kill you and take your wife.”

  That news unnerved Arran and he had the urge to rush home to Purity. He was glad he insisted she stay with Royden and Oria while he came here. He thought to stay the night if necessary, but not now. He’d head back soon.

  Sten shook his head. “Suddenly, it all changed. Brynjar was intent on going after Wolf.”

  Wolf explained to Arran. “Brynjar intended to force the woman, Eria, I had planned to wed into marriage. To see her kept safe, her family sent her here to me.”

  Arran nodded. “Brynjar followed and being you took Eria from him, he intends to take Raven from you and get Eria for himself.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Raven said.

  “Why not? It’s obvious,” Arran argued.

  “That’s just it. It’s too obvious,” Raven said.

  “She’s right,” Sten said. “Brynjar deflects with something he cares little about while he’s actually going after something much more important to him.” He looked to Arran. “He wanted to marry the woman you wed, but cared nothing for her. It was the land he would get by marrying her that was important to him.”

  “He wanted to make sure I didn’t have control of it,” Wolf said.

  “You don’t,” Arran reminded.

  “You would go against me? Against family? My sister is wed to your brother and I am wed to your sister. We are family,” Wolf said with a quirk of his brow that challenged Arran to deny it.

  Arran muttered several oaths before saying, “Not by choice.”

  Raven ignored her husband and brother’s bickering. She was too engrossed in what Sten had said. “If my death is meant to deflect from his real reason for being here, then what does he want that is so important to him?”

  Sten shook his head having no answer. No one did.

  Chapter 22

  Raven found the silence, since entering their bedchamber several minutes ago, between her and Wolf unnerving. They never lacked in conversation except when making love and even then they exchanged a word or two. It was obvious what was on his mind… that he had all but heard her admit she was in love with him.

  She wasn’t ready to discuss it yet, so she purposely diverted any talk of it by saying, “We need to find out why Brynjar is here.”

  Wolf shed his garments as he spoke. “As I’ve said before, it wouldn’t be to see me dead. My death wouldn’t give Brynjar enough satisfaction, at least not presently.”

  “I would say he was here for Eria, but there have been no attempts to abduct her.”

  “He believes your death would bring turmoil, which he might foolishly think would make it easier for him to snatch Eria. Her father rules over several tribes in his region. With Eria being the only child, her husband would have a good chance of inheriting the position.”

  “The problem is that Brynjar is so unpredictable,” she said, trying to ignore the passion that was burning slowly and steadily inside her as she watched her husband disrobe.

  “It’s what puts fear in people. No one ever knows what he will do. He can’t be trusted, not ever. He lies with every word and cares for nothing. Your brother defined him perfectly—he is pure evil.”

  “What made him that way?” she asked as her husband discarded the last of his garments.

  Wolf approached his wife with slow, languid steps. “His father was a brutal man and more than likely instilled that same brutality in his son. My father and his father clashed several times, my father not only having more power than him, but having a strong friendship with the King.”

  “So there has always been hostility between your families,” Raven said and began to shed her garments, thinking making love with her husband was another good way to distract him from discussing anything else.

  “It got worse when Brynjar’s father died and he took control of his tribe.” Wolf helped his wife shed her garments, eager to hold her naked in his arms. “Some say he grew impatient to take command and sent his father to an early death. Brynjar’s sister and brother also met early deaths.”

  “His mother?’ Raven asked, glad for her husband’s gentle touch after hearing such horror.

  “She died shortly after Brynjar was born, though many believe she took her own life. Two more wives followed, one giving him another son and the other a daughter. After those wives died, far too soon, Brynjar’s father simply took whatever woman he wanted.”

  “Brynjar is left with no one and has had no success in finding a wife,” Raven said.

  “A wife who would prove beneficial to him,” Wolf reminded, tossing the last of her g
arments aside and took his wife in his arms. “Enough talk of a man who doesn’t deserve disturbing our precious time together.”

  Raven’s arms went around her husband’s neck. “There is a more important matter for us to see to.”

  Wolf’s lips touched hers ever so lightly, sending a shiver through her.

  “That there is, wife.” His kiss was much stronger, a promise of what was to come. He ended it with another faint brush of his lips across hers, and his dark eyes held hers in as much of an embrace as his arms did. “Will you admit to me what you admitted to your brother?”

  She should have known he’d have his say and she went to step away from him, but his arms held her tight. He would not be denied an answer.

  Defiance sparked in her brilliant blue eyes and she shot back. “Will you tell me you love me?”

  He swung her up in his arms and planted his face close to hers. “Ek elska þik.”

  “You truly do love me?” she asked, not expecting the words from him.

  He smiled. “I thought you understood my language. Now I know for sure.”

  Raven poked him in the chest. “You tricked me.”

  His smile faded and he rested his brow to hers. “I did, but I didn’t lie about loving you. I don’t know how it happened or when I fell in love with you, and I don’t care. All I know is that you somehow stole my heart and it would break if I ever lost you. Ek elska þik, kona.”

  A burst of joy raced through her and she grabbed his face in her hands. “Ek elska þik, husband. Like you, I don’t know when I came to love you and I was confused at first, unsure, and truthfully concerned—”

  “That I wouldn’t feel the same?”

  Raven nodded and was shocked to feel tears trickle from her eyes. “I haven’t cried…”

  Wolf finished for her. “Happy tears in a long while.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever cried happy tears,” she admitted.

  He kissed her. “Then I’m glad it was our love that brought you happy tears.”

  “You truly do love me?” she asked as if she didn’t quite believe it.

  “There isn’t a doubt in my mind that I love you, Raven. We are one, you and me, joined forever together. You’re my heart, my soul, you’re everything to me.”