“Stop, Royden. Please stop,” she cried out, growing dizzy and pain shooting through her arm. She feared he didn’t hear her, seeing in his eyes the savage side of him that rose on occasion. She placed her hand against his chest. “Please, Royden, Please.”
Her plea had him halting immediately and shaking his head, forcing the savage in him to retreat.
“My arm,” she said, the pain making her wince.
He let go of her and stepped away and took hefty breathes, finally able to breathe.
Oria rested her hand on his back.
He pulled away. “Don’t touch me.”
She ignored his protest and rested her hand on his back again. “I can’t. I need you.”
Her soft plea had him turning around and she tucked herself under his arm and against his chest. His instincts took over, his arms going around her, and his lips pressing a kiss on her brow.
“You frightened the life out of me,” he said, trying to explain.
“I’m truly sorry, I didn’t mean to,” she said, slipping her arms around his waist as far as they could fit.
“I thought someone took you,” he said, keeping her tight against him.
“You would hear me scream for you from far off if anyone attempted to do that,” she said.
“Your word on that, wife,” he demanded.
“Even if my life was threatened, I would never hesitate to call out to you. I’m all too familiar with the foolishness of not screaming out for your help.”
He heard in her voice and saw the guilt in her eyes that she felt for not having called out to him during the attack.
“I would have come for you, saved you if I had known,” he said.
“I know that, but I so feared distracting you from the battle,” she admitted.
He shook his head and rested his brow to hers. “The past is done and can’t be undone. I’ll have your word now that from this day forward you will not hesitate to call out to me for help—not for any reason—if ever the need should arise. I promise I will be there for you.”
“You have my word, husband,” she said, his promise providing a sense of safety and a bit of worry since after what they both had been through, each of them would do whatever it took to see the other safe.
“Now you will tell me what you were doing in the woods,” he said and saw the worry and hesitation in her eyes. “I will have the truth, wife.”
“I gave my word and I will have yours now that what I tell you, you will share with no one, and I only do this because I know you are a man of your word,” she said and shivered with the intensity of the strength in which he spoke.
“On my honor, you have my word, Oria.”
She went to explain all to him when…
“Hurry, Royden,” Angus yelled, running toward him. “Your da returns home.”
Chapter 18
Royden hurried through the village, Oria keeping pace with him. He came to an abrupt halt when he caught sight of his da, people crowded around him welcoming him home with smiles and tears of joy.
“He looks good,” Royden said after Oria came to a stop beside him.
Royden had feared that his da might be a shell of the man he had once been, but he looked well-healed. He even had a bit more weight on him than Royden remembered and more wrinkles crinkled near his eyes from his broad smile, but he was far more fit than expected and Royden was grateful.
“From what I’ve been told, Wren has taken excellent care of him,” Oria said happy for her husband and wishing her own da was there to see the reunion.
The reminder that his da had not returned home alone had Royden searching the crowd for the woman who had predicted his family would be reunited. He spotted several women who had been members of the clan, some now widows. One was Flora, a woman more familiar to Arran and one whose company his brother had enjoyed on occasion.
“Is that Wren?” Royden asked, pointing to a gray-haired woman not far from his da.
“I wouldn’t know. I never met Wren,” Oria said, though curiosity had her looking where her husband pointed.
When Emily hugged the gray-haired woman, Royden shook his head. “Can’t be Wren, Emily knows her. Does she look familiar to you?”
“Five years can be harsh or easy on a person, depending on the circumstances,” Oria reminded him.
Royden nodded, understanding all too well. All those who returned today would be grateful to have things returned to the way they’d once been, but Royden understood what would take time for them to understand—nothing would ever be the same again.
His da’s eyes finally met with his and Royden didn’t wait, he hurried to him, people moving aside. Their arms shot around each other in a tight hug that brought tears to most of those surrounding father and son.
When they finally released each other, reluctantly, Royden shouted, “Our Chieftain Parlan has returned.”
A cheer filled the air, but Parlan shook his head and waved his hand for the people to settle and when they finally did, he spoke. “It is time for me to pass the torch. Royden has been your chieftain in my absence and he shall remain so. He deserves to lead this clan and the clan deserves a younger man with his strength and bravery to do so.”
A loud roar echoed over the land, agreeing with Parlan.
Royden went to protest but his da’s strong whisper stopped him.
“You will see when we talk that this is for the best.” His da looked to the leather cuff covering Royden’s stump. “You more than earned this.”
“What is the witch doing here?” a man called out, pointing.
“Shut your foolish lips, Coyle,” Flora called out. “Wren saved our old chieftain’s life and others as well.”
Royden half-listened to the two bicker, his attention drawn to the woman his da rushed to. She was nearly as tall as his da and had flaming red hair sprinkled with white, yet her pretty face showed little signs of age. Her green eyes brightened with joy when she looked upon his da, the way Oria’s did when she looked at him. The woman loved his father and from the way his da took the witch in his arms and held her close, it seemed his da felt the same way.
Royden wasn’t surprised when his da’s voice took on the tone of one in command, and he was glad to see his da still commanded with strength and confidence.
“Wren is not a witch, she is a healer, and will soon be my wife.”
Gasps mingled with cheers and Royden didn’t hide his own surprise. He turned when his wife’s hand closed around his.
“How wonderful that your da has finally found love again. Your mum would be so happy that he isn’t alone.”
Oria was right. His mum would want that for her husband, though it had Royden thinking and asking, “If anything should happen to me—”
Oria’s smile faded and she leaned against him to whisper, “I have loved you since I was a young bairn. I could never, would never, love another as I love you.” Her smiled returned and she kept her voice low. “Besides, I doubt there’s a man alive who is as talented as you are in bed.”
Royden gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered, “I wouldn’t want you to be alone, but I can’t stand the thought of another man touching you. Like you, I’ve loved you since we’ve been young. There could never be another woman for me. And you’re not so bad in bed yourself.”
“I think there’s more you could teach me,” she said with a teasing smile.
“I’ll teach you something new tonight,” he whispered and felt her shudder against him.
His da’s booming voice echoed over the people and had Royden and Oria listening. “You will give Wren the respect you give me. I will not tolerate anyone treating her poorly or intending her harm.”
Heads bobbed throughout the crowd, while some skeptical faces could be seen.
“Wren saved my da’s life,” Royden called out. “I’m sure we all are grateful to have such a skilled healer among us.”
The approving nod his da sent him, like the many he had done in the past, had Ro
yden feeling—for a sheer moment—that life, at least a glimpse of it, was returning as it once was to the clan. And that was a huge sign of hope.
“Now it’s time to get everyone settled in homes and fed, and in a few days we will have a fine feast to celebrate,” —Royden raised his voice with strength and pride— “the return of the Clan MacKinnon.”
The people cheered and when all quieted, Royden didn’t need to issue orders. Angus let him know he’d take count and help John and Stuart with seeing everyone settled and to the cart that had followed behind them with their belongings. This time, however, he motioned Penn to him.
“You’ll help John and Stuart, then report to me how things go.”
Penn looked surprised, but pleased. “Aye, sir, I’ll see it done.”
Royden looked around for his wife, not realizing she had left his side, and smiled when he saw her with his da and Wren. He went and joined them.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you and Oria have finally wed,” his da said. “I only wish the whole family could have been here for it.”
“We’ll wed again and hold a huge celebration when the whole family is reunited,” Royden said.
“That will be wonderful, a joyous day indeed,” Wren said.
Royden didn’t know if he heard what he wanted to hear in Wren’s remark or if she spoke to let them know that it would be so. That one day such a celebration would take place.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Royden,” Wren said. “Your da spoke often of you and Oria, and Arran and Raven as well. I feel I already know all of you.”
“I hope to get to know you as well as you know all of us,” Royden said, her gentle voice quite soothing to the ear.
“Let’s get you some food and settled in the keep,” Oria said.
Royden wasn’t surprised that it took a while to reach the keep, since many in the clan stopped his da to personally welcome him home. He was well-loved and well-respected by the clan that he’d led with honor, and seeing him well and in fine shape had surely been a sign of hope to everyone.
Oria had seen to food and drink once in the Great Hall and when it was placed on the table she said, “I’ll leave you to talk. It’s my duty to see to the people who have returned home.”
Royden looked ready to disagree, but quelled his response. He wouldn’t stop his wife from doing what was right.
“I’ll join you. Some may need my healing hand,” Wren offered.
“You haven’t eaten and you’re tired from the journey,” Parlan said, taking hold of Wren’s arm when she went to stand.
“You need to talk with your son,” Wren said softly, covering his hand with hers. “I will sup with you later.”
“You love her, don’t you?” Royden asked as his da watched Wren leave the Great Hall with his wife.
“I never expected to fall in love again. Your mother stole my heart and took it with her when she died. I didn’t think I had an ounce of love in me for another woman. Wren was…” He shook his head. “It was like my heart suddenly came alive and I felt things I hadn’t felt since the day I lost your mum.” He took a swig of ale. “Wren is a good woman.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Da,” Royden said. “You love Wren and that’s all that matters.”
“News got back to me about you and Arran. My heart broke when I heard you lost your hand, though I was relieved you survived it.”
“I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for Arran.”
“I wouldn’t have expected anything less from him. He may be all smiles and charm, but Arran is a superior warrior and most of all a devoted brother,” Parlan said with pride. “I heard mentioned that he will be returning home as well. Pray tell it is true.”
“He’s been released and I got word that he must see to something before coming home. I pray it has something to do with Raven.”
“Have you heard anything about her?” Parlan asked anxiously.
Royden cupped his tankard tightly with his one hand. “I only know she has survived, nothing more than that.”
“I heard the same, but wonder if it was nothing more than wishful thinking. I know of no one who has seen or spoken to her.” Parlan reached out to grip his son’s wrist. “I can’t bear to think what may have happened to her or that I failed to protect her.”
“We’re all to blame. Arran and I discussed this and we both agree that one of us should have seen to her safety. I believe she survived and she remains in hiding for fear of what might happen if she shows herself.”
“What has she got to fear now?” Parlan asked. “You have returned to the clan. You are wed and no doubt soon will have news of a bairn on the way. The Clan MacKinnon is secure.”
“It could be that Raven hides so well that she doesn’t know what goes on here,” Royden suggested.
Parlan laughed. “Your sister had her nose in everything. She’s been a little sneak since she was young. I doubt that has changed.”
His da was right about Raven. She had listened more times than not on discussions held in their da’s solar without ever being caught. And she spied on Arran when he and Flora met for a poke or two in the barn.
Parlan’s brow suddenly drew together. “How was it you managed to return home?”
“I was released and you should know that my release was conditioned upon me wedding Oria.”
“Why? You would have wed her anyway,” his da asked.
The thought was like a slap in the face. His da was right. He might have been foolish upon returning home, but in the end he would have wed Oria. He would have never chanced losing her again. It just would have taken some time to realize it.
Everyone knew he and Oria wished to wed, so why had it been a condition of his release? Who would think they wouldn’t wed?
“Not much is making sense right now, Da. I was told a high price had been paid for my release.”
His da shook his head. “It’s not only coin that would be needed to secure your release. It would have to be someone with power or influence or both.” He shook his head again. “You’re right, not much makes sense. There was no strife among the clans in this part so why the attack? Who paid the mercenaries for it?”
“Arran and I tried to find out what we could, but it was useless. No one talked and no one seemed to care,” Royden said. “It’s a puzzle I intend to solve.”
“You have to have all the pieces to solve a puzzle. I don’t believe we have enough pieces to do that just yet,” his da said with a bit of annoyance.
Royden understood what his da meant without saying it. Until Arran and Raven were home there’d be no solving the puzzle.
Royden talked, ate, and drank with his da and the years they’d been separated seemed to melt away. They were once again back to the way it had been, only it really wasn’t, not without Arran and Raven there. Not without their family completely reunited.
“I was thinking that maybe I should assign one of the warriors to shadow Wren, since it might take time for everyone to come to see she is an asset to the clan and accepts her,” Royden said.
“I appreciate the consideration, but don’t waste a warrior’s time. Wren has a way of protecting herself and I’ll be with her a good portion of the time. I miss her far too much when I’m away from her too long.”
“Is that why you keep glancing to the door?” Royden asked with a laugh.
“I’m an old fool in love,” Parlan said as if it were a fault.
“It doesn’t only take being old to be a fool in love,” Royden said with a laugh.
Wren returned excited. “I found the perfect cottage for us,” she said, rushing to Parlan.
“Cottage?’ Royden questioned. “You’ll be staying in the keep. Oria and I will return to my bedchamber and you and my da will take the chieftain’s quarters.”
Wren looked to Parlan and he in turn looked to his son. “The chieftain’s quarters belong to you and Oria.”
“Then you and Wren take my bedchamber,” Roy
den said, not wanting to argue with him. “You belong here in the keep with family, not in a cottage.”
“Once people realize what a fine and exceptional healer Wren is they will waste no time seeking out her skill. You don’t want them coming to the keep all hours of the day and night. Besides, I’m not only used to sharing a cottage with Wren, I prefer it.”
“It is close to the keep,” Wren said, “though uninhabitable at the moment.”
“Then we will reside in the keep with my son and his wife until it is habitable,” Parlan said.
Royden saw that his da was trying to appease him and Wren, and he would not make it any more difficult for him.
“It will be good to have you here in the keep with us for a while,” Royden said, looking at his da before turning his attention to Wren. “Do you know where my wife is?”
A pleasant smile graced Wren’s face. “Your wife is tireless. She bounces bairns on her hips while issuing orders for things to be moved from cottage to cottage, even moving things herself if someone doesn’t respond fast enough. She also scrubs and sweeps and still has time to make a child laugh. She makes sure everyone gets food and drink and orders, pleasantly, the weak and old not to lift a finger. She is quite loved by the clan.”
“Oria always gave more than others and many times more than she got in return,” Parlan said. “I was sorry to hear about her da’s passing. He was a good man and wise to wed her to Burnell before she was claimed by a stranger.”
“How did you know that?” Royden asked.
“We got word of what was going on,” Parlan said.
“How did you get word?” Royden asked. “Actually, I don’t know all that happened to you. I only know you were dragged into the woods and taken to the wi—” Royden quickly corrected himself. “Taken to Wren for help.”
His da explained, “I was told that Raven got the women inside the keep to safety, seeing that the battle was not going well. They are the ones who got me to Wren. It took a long time for my wound to heal and for me to fully recover. There were times I didn’t think I’d make it, but with Wren’s skills and encouragement, I did.”
Pledged to a Highlander Page 18
