Honora kept the hectic pace Tyr set and told herself over and over and over that she must do whatever he asked. She had to. It was the only way to save her husband’s life.
Cavan wished they didn’t have to stop so often. He feared the more they did they more distance his enemy gained. But Ronan knew what he was doing and Cavan bowed to his skills.
“Is something wrong?” Cavan asked, realizing Ronan was taking longer than usual in examining the tracks.
Ronan rose slowly.
Cavan knew something was wrong and said, “Tell me.”
“There was a scuffle here.”
“And?” Cavan asked when Ronan didn’t continue.
“From the marks on the ground, I’d say someone went done and it wasn’t the Norseman.”
“I’m going to kill him,” Cavan said through gritted teeth.
“Your chance should come soon.” Ronan hesitated to continue, but did. “The earth is still warm. They lingered here probably longer than they should have.”
Cavan’s nostrils flared and his jaw tightened. “That could only mean one thing, Honora was —” He couldn’t’ finish. He could not say aloud that his wife suffered a blow that had left her unconscious.
“We should alert the men and be on our way,” Ronan said.
“He’s mine,” Cavan said, his hands fisted so tight at his sides that his knuckles turned pure white. “No one but me is to touch him.”
“The warriors know that.”
“Good, then let’s go,” Cavan said. “I miss my wife.”
No longer did Cavan think of their slow progress. His only thought was revenge — and he would have it — blood would run this day.
Honora’s eyes turned wide when she saw the make-shift shelter. There was a hole at the top where the campfire smoke could escape and a crude piece of animal hide hung in front serving as a door.
He shoved her forward, as if anxious and she knew the time had come. She hoped Cavan would understand. She hoped she had enough courage to do what she must. She hoped it all would be over soon and she could go home. But most of all she wished this was not happening that she was home with her family celebrating the holiday and Addie’s wedding.
Tyr gave her another shove.
She stumbled and he steadied her, and she couldn’t help but ask again, “What do you want of me?”
“A bairn,” he said and shoved her into the shelter.
Cavan followed close behind Ronan. The snow was falling in earnest and soon it would be too deep to find any tracks. They were close, Cavan could feel it. They couldn’t lose the tracks now, they couldn’t. He had to get to his wife. She was waiting for him.
Ronan stopped, raising his hand in warning for others to do the same.
Cavan stilled. He knew this was it. A few more feet perhaps and…
The bloodcurdling scream ripped through the cold air, shivering most of the men.
Not Cavan.
He dropped his horse’s reins and lunged forward in a dead run, Ronan following quickly behind him. A warrior took hold of the two horses and the others followed their chieftain.
Cavan burst passed the trees and the scene he came upon fired his anger beyond control.
A large Norseman was exiting a poorly constructed shelter, a dagger in his hands—and it dripped blood.
Cavan let out a fierce roar and lunged at the Norseman.
“Cavan! Cavan, stop it!” Honora screamed.
Her husband paid her no mind. He and Tyr continued rolling around on the ground, fists swinging.
“Stop him, Ronan,” Honora pleaded when Cavan’s brother came upon the scene.
Ronan walked around the battling men and arched a brow when he caught a look at the dark bruise and swelling on Honora’s jaw. “Looks to me like he deserves what he’s getting.”
Honora grabbed for a heavy stick from the nearby batch of firewood, ready to thrash the two men when another bloodcurdling scream pierced the air.
The horrific sound froze everyone but Honora. She ran into the shelter.
Tyr got to his feet and rushed after Honora. Cavan followed along with Ronan, after he directed the warriors to circle the area.
“It’s all right, Thora” Honora said to the woman writhing in pain on the bed of pine. “Help has arrived. We’ll be getting you to the healer soon.” She wiped the woman’s sweating brow with a wet cloth. “I know it’s hard but try to rest between the pains. I need to step outside for a few —”
The woman grabbed Honora’s arm. “Do not leave me, please. Please I beg you.”
Honora looked to Cavan who had walked over to stand beside her. “Let Tyr explain this to you while I tend to Thora.”
Cavan reached out and gently touched the bruise on her jaw. His eyes flared with anger and he said much more calmly than he felt, “First, he’ll explain this.”
Honora sighed. “Not his fault. Mine.”
“There is not an acceptable reason for him to have hit you,” Cavan said directing his attention to Tyr.
“He didn’t,” Honora explained. “I suffered the blow on myself.”
“What?” Cavan asked incredulously.
Thora moaned and Honora rested her cheek on her husband’s. “Please, trust me. It’s not what you think. Speak to Tyr and prepare to leave. We must get Thora to Zia as soon as possible.” She pressed her lips to his cheek and then whispered, “I knew you’d come for me. I love you so much and please, please trust me on this.”
She need say no more to him. He turned to Ronan. “Tell the men we return home. And see that they follow any instructions Honora has for them.”
Ronan nodded and left.
Cavan then turned to Tyr. “Time to talk.”
Tyr agreed with a nod and walked over to Thora. “I will get you safely to the healer. I promise.” He kissed her cheek and wiped at her tears. “It will be all right. I will make it so.”
As Tyr walked out, Cavan wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist and pulled her close. “Never again will you go off without telling me where you go.” Every muscle in his body grew taut as he waited for her to argue.
“As you say, husband.”
She shocked him silent.
A tear fell from her eye. “I feared I would never see you again.”
He kissed the tear away. “I would go to hell and back to bring you home to me.”
They held each other tight until finally Honora whispered, “Go, we must hurry and get Thora to Zia or mother and child will not survive.”
Cavan left Honora’s side reluctantly. He feared leaving her, feared that she would disappear once again. An irrational thought as his brother Artair would advise, but one that haunted him nonetheless.
He positioned himself so that he could keep an eye on the shelter and with a nod to Ronan, his brother took up guard in front of it.
“Tell me what this is about,” Cavan ordered as he stepped in front of Tyr, not at all intimidated by the size of the man.
Tyr didn’t hesitate to answer, nor did he show fear. He stood tall and proud and Cavan respected him for it.
“I came in search of your healer,” Tyr said. “She is said to work magic and Thora needs magic to survive.”
“Thora is your wife?”
Tyr shook his head. “My sister. Her husband was recently killed in battle and she has not been well since. Our healer worried that she would not be able to help Thora when her time came to deliver the bairn. She urged me to bring her to the Sinclare healer, known for her powerful magic.”
“You came for help from the healer, yet took my wife?”
“I thought her the healer when I came upon her searching for plants. I foolishly did not take the time to ask who she was. I was much too worried about having left my sister alone and in pain. I wanted nothing more than to find someone to help her.” Tyr shook his head. “I will do anything to see my sister and her bairn well. I meant your wife no harm.”
“The bruise?”
“It is as she says. She
suffered it upon herself while aiming at me.” Tyr grinned. “She has a mighty punch.”
Cavan smiled with pride. “That she does.”
A scream interrupted their talk and Cavan could see how Tyr suffered in agony along with his sister. That the woman lost the man she loved, and could possibly lose his bairn, tore at Cavan’s heart. He could not imagine the awful pain.
“We need to get your sister to my home,” he said.
“I will forever be in your debt for this,” Tyr said and held out his hand.
Cavan hesitated. “You still have to answer for abducting my wife from my land.”
“I am at your mercy,” Tyr said.
Cavan took the warrior’s hand and they shook, Cavan respecting him even more.
“I worry about my sister traveling in such pain,” Tyr said.
“I don’t think it can be helped,” Cavan said. “The snow no doubt will worsen. We need to make it home before it does.”
Honora saw that Thora was bundled in blankets and lifted carefully to her brother’s waiting arms after he mounted his horse.
“You will be at my home soon,” Honora promised Thora and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before walking away to join her husband.
Cavan placed his hands on his wife’s waist and helped her mount his horse. He climbed up behind her and with a wave of his hand they headed home.
He yanked her back against him and rested his cheek to hers. “I feared the worst.”
“As did I,” she confessed. “But when I entered the shelter and saw his sister in such agony all my fear vanished. I realized then that Tyr was a good man, though not much with words. If he had told me about his sister I could have gotten help, but —”
“He is a legendary warrior. No doubt he feared that no one would believe him, then what would have happened to his sister. He did what he thought was best. I would have done the same.”
“You respect him,” Honora said.
“I do, but that does not mean he will not pay for abducting you.”
Honora thought differently, but she would bide her time and speak her piece when the time was right.
By the time they reached the keep Thora was in more agony than ever. Addie took charge, sending Alyce to fetch Zia and Carissa to gather extra linens and Honora to lead the way to the chieftain’s bedchambers.
Cavan did not object, and Tyr sent him a nod of gratitude.
Tyr tried to remain in the room along with Cavan but Addie wouldn’t have it. She chased both men out and ordered Hagen who stood outside the door to keep them out. He gave a nod and Addie smiled and kissed his cheek.
Cavan took Tyr to the Great Hall where Ronan, Artair and Lachlan sat at the table in front of the hearth. The hall was filled with the scent of pine and delicious aromas that reminded Cavan he had barely eaten today.
Food soon filled the table and Cavan and his brothers feasted, while Tyr barely touched the bountiful display.
“Why did you wait so long to seek help?” Artair asked of Tyr.
“My sister was not due to deliver her bairn for another month.”
Artair nearly choked on his food. “Did you tell my wife of this?”
“Thora told Honora and no doubt she will inform your wife.” Tyr turned to Cavan. “I will suffer whatever punishment you feel fit to bestow on me, but I ask that it wait until I know that my sister and her bairn have survived and are well.”
Cavan nodded. “I will wait.”
Hours passed, then just after midnight Honora entered the Great hall looking tired and worn. “You have a nephew, a bit small, though with proper care Zia claims he will grow strong in no time. Thora is sleeping after a much difficult birth and will require rest for at least a week if not more. But mother and child have survived and according to Zia, if looked after, they will thrive and do well.”
“That’s my wife,” Artair said proudly, “an extraordinary healer.”
“I give thanks for her,” Tyr said. “And I give thanks to all of you for helping my sister.”
“All you had to do was ask,” Honora said.
“Not something I’m used to,” Tyr admitted. “Most people run when they learn who I am.”
“You now have friends here,” Honora said.
Tyr looked at Cavan. “Do I?”
Cavan and Honora settled into the narrow bed in Zia’s healing cottage. Cavan didn’t mind in the least. They were alone and snuggled together while snow fell heavily outside. Zia was spending the night watching over Thora and the bairn, and though Honora offered to help, Zia, Alyce and Carissa refused. They ordered Honora to rest after her ordeal. They would look after the children. Only after she had seen her twins and daughter bedded for the night had she agreed.
Before they left the keep Honora had insisted that Tyr not be kept a prisoner so that he would be free to spend time with his sister and his nephew. Cavan hadn’t cared for her adamant suggestion. He would have preferred to see him locked in the grain shed. But he had bowed to her insistence, feeling guilty for what she had been through, though had ordered several of his warriors to keep an eye on the Norseman.
“You cannot punish a man for seeing to the care of his sister,” Honora said and snuggled tight against her husband.
“Did he frighten you?” Cavan asked, his hand tenderly caressing her back.
He didn’t worry about an honest answer from her. She spoke the truth, even when he didn’t want to hear it.
“Of course he did. What a fool question is that?”
“A fool question that will determine his fate,” Cavan said emphatically.
Honora kissed her husband, then ran tender fingers across his lips.
He liked when she did that. It was as if she sealed her kisses with her touch.
“Tomorrow is a special day in more ways than one,” she said. “It is Christmas, your mother weds, and a child has been born that might not have survived if it had not been for your forgiveness and generosity. We have much to celebrate.”
Cavan was ready to protest since he wasn’t at all forgiving just yet.
Honora stilled him with another kiss and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”
Cavan smiled and eased himself over her. “I intend to show you how much I love you.”
Honora grinned and wrapped her arms around him in a welcoming embrace.
Snow continued to blanket the land while the Great Hall was aglow with festivity. Vows had been exchanged, shouts of good cheer extended to Addie and Hagen and food and drink were now being enjoyed. The many animals Hagen had fashioned for the children from wood were keeping them entertained, the horses and cows being favorites.
“My mother looks beautiful,” Cavan whispered to Honora who sat cuddled beside him on the bench.
“She does, doesn’t she,” Honora said looking at Addie, her red hair piled in curls on top of her head and her long-sleeved, emerald green velvet dress falling in a swirl from beneath her breasts. She was thanking all who came up to congratulate her and Hagen, who grinned gleefully beside her.
“It is good to see her so happy again,” Cavan said.
“Your father would be pleased,” Honora said. “He was a man who understood that love was always unpredictable and that forgiveness was not always easy but necessary. He was a true laird of his clan—just like you.”
“You remind me of what I forget,” he said.
“It is the time of year for forgiveness,” she reminded.
“Then I shall, with some reluctance, forgive Tyr his foolishness, though he will owe me a debt.”
“I had no doubt you would,” she said and kissed his cheek. “And I have no doubt that Tyr feels more indebted to you than you would wish.”
At that moment the twins, Tavish and Ronan, and their daughter Kate, came running to them. Cavan and Honora caught them up in their arms and giggles and kisses were exchanged. Kate, though small, pushed her way past her brothers to snuggle comfortably in the crook of her father’s arm while the twins continued to crawl
over her and around both parents.
Cavan felt it then. A love so strong that he thought it would near tear his heart in two, and he recalled something his father had said to him years ago when he was but a lad.
He heard his father’s voice now, deep and distinct. “Christmas love is like no other love you’ll ever feel. Revel in it, for it is a gift.”
His father had been right.
He kissed his wife, hugged his children, and gave thanks for all he had.
* * *
The End
You can read how Honora and Cavan got together in Return of the Rogue, first book in the Sinclare Brothers’ series.
The Christmas Ghost
Based on characters from the book — Love Me Forever
“What do you mean you will not sleep our bed?” Royce demanded of his wife.
Brianna kept her voice low, not that the servants would hear her, they were too busy bustling in and out of the Great Hall with bundles of pine to begin fashioning the decorations for the Christmas celebration only a couple of days away. She took a fortifying breath and shut her eyes for a moment. It was difficult to look at her husband and say, “I will not sleep in our bed until you chase away the ghost.”
His arm coiled around her slim waist and drew her slowly against him.
Brianna kept her eyes closed and relished his warmth that rushed through her and his hard muscles that comforted as he wrapped her in his embrace. She couldn’t stop the vision of him rising naked over her in bed from growing ever so clear and sending tingles of pleasure racing through her. He was a skilled and considerate lover and there wasn’t a time that she didn’t desire him. She often feared that she was a wanton woman for wanting him as much as she did… like now.
She melted against him and his mouth came down on hers and claimed a kiss that stole her breath away. She wanted to linger in it, be swept away by it and let it end with Royce carrying her to their bedchamber and making love—
Highlanders Short Story Collection Page 5
