Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (72 page)

“Kenna,” he called, opening the door cautiously, but she remained in bed huddled under a mound of blankets. He placed the tray on the table and returned to her bedside. “Kenna?”

“Aye?”

“Connell found Mairi.”

She moved the blankets away and blinked up at him. “He was out all night?”

“Aye, and Adam has a cough that sounds as bad as yers. I will fetch the healer. I want all of ye tae rest and stay warm.”

Kenna took his hand but shook her head. “I dinna want ye tae leave.”

“I willna be gone long, my little sparrow, and Connell will watch over ye and Mairi.”

She finally nodded and released him. “Be careful, Aidan, we dinna ken where Hurstal is with the rest of his band.”

He rose and wrapped his sword belt around his waist. Grabbing his plaid, he threw it over his shoulders. He hesitated and returned to her side, taking her hand in his. Damnation, he wanted to kiss her, but she was ill and he certainly didn’t wish to catch what she had. Instead, he pulled her hand to his lips. “I will return soon.” Aidan stepped to the door and opened it so Connell and Mairi could enter.

“I heard her words and she be right,” Connell said. “Are ye sure ye dinna want me tae go with ye?”

“Nay, Connell, ye need tae rest, and I would prefer ye watching over the lassies while I’m gone. Glen Trool proper isna far. It shouldna take me long.”

Connell nodded and stepped toward the hearth fire.

Mairi went immediately to Kenna’s side. “Milady, forgive me.”

“I’ll be fine, Mairi,” Kenna said. “Warm yerself and see tae yer bairn.”

“I’ll be back shortly,” Aidan said and hurried away, trying to tell himself his worries were entirely unfounded. Unfortunately, he could not quite convince himself of the fact.

HHH

Kenna tried to rouse herself to see to Mairi and Connell, but every time she attempted to lift her pounding head from the pillow it felt like it would split in two. She finally decided that this fever was going to best her no matter what she did. But she did manage to tell Mairi to rest in the bed next to her. It was more than large enough for both of them, and Adam seemed content to sleep now that he was warm. She pried open her eyes long enough to see Connell before the hearth with his feet propped in another chair, his chin against his chest as he slept soundly.

Kenna huddled under the blankets shivering, wishing Aidan would return with the healer soon. She must have dozed because it seemed like only moments later when she heard his voice.

“Kenna?”

She opened her eyes and groaned. Her head pounded mercilessly, and the light in the room stabbed her eyes. Her entire body ached, and she shook with fever chills.

“Sweet Jesu,” Aidan murmured, lightly caressing her face. “Yer fever has gone higher.”

“Let me see her,” a strange voice said.

Kenna tried to lift her head, blinking in confusion.

“Peace, my little sparrow,” Aidan said softly. “’Tis only the healer.”

She dimly saw another man standing next to Aidan. He reached out, but Kenna turned her head away.

“Nay.”

“Kenna, it’s all right,” Aidan said.

She could do little to resist.

The man felt her forehead then pulled his hand away. “Her fever is verra high.”

Kenna just wished they’d stop talking and leave her alone. She rolled over, burrowing deeper under the blankets.

Aidan and the healer whispered to each other for a while. Kenna pulled a pillow over her head, trying to shut out their voices. She just wanted to sleep. Finally, they fell silent and she started to doze again. Unfortunately, her body ached so much she couldn’t truly fall back asleep.

“Kenna?” Aidan called again. “Kenna, my sweet, I need ye tae sit up and drink this.”

She moved the pillow and looked over her shoulder at him. He carried a cup and sat on the bedside. “What is it?”

“A healing draught. It will bring yer fever down and help ye feel better.”

If it would help, she was willing to try it. Aidan helped her sit up, but the room spun around her. She found herself shivering harder. Aidan held the cup to her lips. She drank and nearly gagged.

“Good God,” she muttered pulling away. “What is it?”

“I dinna ken,” Aidan said. “The healer mixed it. It may taste foul, but ye must drink all of it.”

She didn’t want to but knew Aidan wouldn’t leave her alone until she did. She downed it as quickly as possible and shivered violently again, but it wasn’t from her fever.

“Forgive me, lass,” Aidan said, setting the cup aside and tucking the blankets around her.

Only then did she realize Connell and Mairi were no longer in the room.

“Where—”

“They’re in the other room. The bairn was fussing, and the healer is tending tae him. I will be staying with ye.”

“Good,” she murmured, taking his hand in hers.

Aidan’s free hand stroked through her hair. She closed her eyes again and sighed softly, wondering at how his touch could make her feel better.

“Rest now, little sparrow.”

The medicant worked surprisingly quickly, and Kenna was able to fall asleep, her fingers still firmly entangled with Aidan’s.

HHH

Kenna finally opened her eyes to discover her pounding head had eased to a dull thud. She focused on Aidan gazing down at her. An errant strand of mahogany hair had escaped the leather tie at the back of his head and now fell to brush a sculpted cheek. She smiled as she looked up at him and reached out to gently tuck it behind his ear.

“Once again ye stand guard over me,” she said softly.

He returned her smile, his fingers tightening on hers. “Yer fever broke last night.” He paused and drew a deep breath. “I must say lassie, ye gave me a dreadful fright.”

Her smile faded. “Forgive me, Aidan, I didna mean—”

“’Twas not yer fault.”

She swallowed hard as she gazed at him. His pale blue eyes regarded her with an intensity she had never seen before. He was a beautiful man, that she could not deny. Unbidden, her hand reached up and her fingers caressed the gentle slope of his cheek, tracing down to the strong line of his jaw. Instead of pulling away or catching her hand, he leaned closer.

“I shall gladly stand guard over ye whenever ye have need of me,” he murmured. His intense gaze studied her a long moment then finally stopped on her lips. He leaned forward even more.

Kenna’s heart lurched and began to race, but she didn’t back away.

A knock sounded on the door and Kenna jumped, curses rolling through her thoughts. Aidan backed away and gave her a shy smile, his cheeks darkening.

She blinked at him, stunned. Was he blushing?

Aidan cleared his throat and rose, moving to answer the door. Kenna dove back under the blankets, certain her face was a bright crimson, and she could no longer blame the fever for it.

“I brought some food,” Connell said.

Kenna peeked out from under the blanket to see the blond clansman enter with Mairi right behind him. Adam appeared fully recovered. Mairi placed a blanket on the floor and sat her bairn upon it, giving him some toys to chew on. Adam burbled happily.

“Milady,” Mairi asked. “Are ye feeling better?”

Kenna moved the blankets away from her face. “Aye. How is Adam?”

“As right as rain,” she said as she pulled up a chair. “Are ye hungry?”

“A bit.”

Mairi sorted through the items on the tray. Aidan stepped forward, and Mairi gave him a bowl. He brought a bit of fresh bread and some hot porridge to Kenna then claimed the chair beside her bed with his own bowl.

“Thank ye,” Kenna said. “Mairi, I have tae admit I am quite curious.”

“About what, milady?”

“How Connell managed tae gain yer trust.”

Mairi looked at Connell, and Kenna was surprised to see a hint of a smile on his lips. For a moment, his green eyes sparked with a vibrancy she had never seen.

“I simply made her a promise,” he said gently.

Kenna inclined her head. Connell spoke little, but he was going to have to relate this tale whether he wanted to or not.

Connell sat back with a sigh. “I found her in the chicken coop near the stock pens.”

“He scared a thousand days from my life,” Mairi whispered.

Connell shrugged. “Forgive me, lassie, but there was no help for it. At least the only thing worse for it was a few eggs.”

“Eggs?” Kenna asked.

Mairi ducked her head, the blush igniting on her cheeks. “When he entered, I threw eggs at him.”

Kenna felt her lips twitch. As weapons went, an egg was less than threatening, but she could just picture Connell trying to dodge the mess.

“But what convinced ye Connell bore no threat?”

“He gave me his oath,” Mairi said softly. “I realized with Adam being sick, I had tae trust someone. He vowed tae protect me.”

Kenna blinked at Connell, stunned.

Connell shrugged again. “’Twas the right thing tae do.”

“Mairi,” Aidan said. “Now that ye have placed yer trust in Connell, I hope ye realize ye can place it in me as well.”

Mairi studied him a moment then nodded.

“We need tae ken the truth.”

Mairi squeezed her eyes closed, and Kenna knew she battled to overcome her fear. Even with Connell’s oath, trust would not come easily to her.

“I ken Raven learned the truth,” Aidan said. “And it cost her life.”

Mairi nodded again. “Those men,” she whispered. “They seek tae kill Adam.”

“Why?”

“He is Prince Edward’s bastard son.”

Kenna bowed her head and squeezed her eyes closed against the sudden tears that burned. She felt Aidan grip her shoulder reassuringly, but she only wanted to sob her heartbreak. Despite the pain of loss, her thoughts spun.

“Now it makes sense,” she whispered.

“Lassie?” Aidan asked.

She looked up at him, tears continuing to drip down her cheeks. “What Raven said tae me when she died. Why she bade me tae find Mairi, the words she spoke . . . bairn . . . succession.”

Aidan gazed at her a long moment. His hand moved from her shoulder, and he laced his fingers around hers. “And what she said tae me,” he murmured, nodding. “Why she didna believe the rumors about Prince Edward.”

“Mairi, why didna ye tell me?” Kenna whispered and slowly tore her gaze from Aidan’s. “The months ye served me . . . ” Her voice cracked and she fought to steady herself. But she realized her words. She would have done things differently had she known, but what truly could she have done? Her father would have granted her no quarter.

“Mairi,” Aidan said, “I dinna mean any insult, but are ye Adam’s mum or his wet nurse?”

Kenna stared at him her jaw slack. She could not believe—

Mairi ducked her head, her tears falling anew. “I am his wet nurse,” she whispered.

Connell blinked at her, his face rapidly losing color.

“His mum died in childbirth. When my bairn died, the healer—” Her voice broke.

An icy chill gripped Kenna’s heart. “Oh Blessed Mary, what ye told me about going into labor alone. That was true, wasn’t it?”

“Aye,” she said and rose. She picked up Adam and cradled him close, returning to her chair. “The healer found me the next day. I almost died too. But then she told me of wee Adam . . . I lost my husband, I lost my bairn . . . ” She paused and sucked in a breath, rubbing her cheek against the soft fuzz of Adam’s head. “I have no one.”

Connell leaned forward in his chair, his face still pale and a muscle twitching in his jaw. But he reached up and gently tugged a lock of hair away from Mairi’s face. “’Tis all right, lassie.”

She looked at him, blinking, another tear trickling down her cheek. “Please, Connell, I canna bear tae see anything happen tae him. He’s all I have. I love him as my own.”

“Do ye ken if the knights-errant seek tae slay Adam or take him from ye?” Aidan asked.

“They arena knights-errant at all. Somehow Longshanks learned of Adam, although I dinna ken how. I only ken the king bade Hurstal tae kill Adam. They’ll probably slay me as well.”

Connell caught her hand, squeezing her fingers reassuringly, but he looked at Aidan. “Young MacGrigor, while I was below stairs getting the food, the townsfolk were up in arms.”

“The brigands?”

“Nay, the Bruce. He has returned and is headed this way.”

Aidan blinked at Connell, then his jaw tightened and his expression darkened

Kenna watched him closely. “That means Longshanks will be too.”

“Aye. Kenna, when I traveled tae Glen Trool proper, I learned that Hurstal now has about fifteen in his group.”

“Damnation. What’s tae stop them from coming here and killing all of us?”

“My thoughts exactly. I want tae take ye and Mairi tae Castle MacGrigor. The bairn will be safe there, and my brother can help determine a solution.”

She blinked at him in surprise. “Me go with ye tae yer home?”

“Aye, lassie, ye will be welcome there.” He paused and looked at Mairi. “Ye both will be welcome there.”

Her heart soared that he wanted her to come with him, but she abruptly remembered Raven’s warning. She did not dare get her heart entangled, but Kenna feared she was very close to doing just that.

“But what about the nest? If the war is tae be here, like we believe, ye will need someone tae manage yer birds.”

“Aye, but that isna as important tae me as ye being safe, Kenna. Please, come with me.”

As she stared into his beautiful pale blue eyes, vibrant with care and compassion, she suddenly realized she could never tell him nay. She looked at Mairi, who nodded.

“All right.”

His smile was as bright as a new dawn. “We shall leave in the morning.”

D
awn arrived clear but chilly. Aidan had acquired two more horses for Kenna and Mairi, but Kenna worried over the maid. She did not know how to ride, and trying to do that while holding her bairn . . . surely only disaster awaited. Kenna wanted to help but she had only ridden a few times herself, so in truth, she was not much better off than Mairi.

“Dinna vex yerself, lassie,” Connell said gently when Mairi saw the horse and nearly panicked. “I will help ye.”

“How?” Mairi asked, taking a step back from the horse.

Connell removed his extra plaid from his pack and folded it curiously. Kenna watched in rapt attention, as did Mairi. He then draped it over Mairi’s shoulder so the bulk of it fell across her body to her waist. He brought the remainder back up across her back and secured both ends with his heavy cloak pin.

“Now lassie,” Connell said, pulling open the plaid in front of Mairi, “put yer wee bairn in here. It will be like a sling. He will be against yer body and will be quite secure even if ye have tae use both hands for the horse.”

He helped her place Adam in the sling and double checked the cloak pin.

Mairi appeared a bit lost, unwilling to actually release Adam, but with Connell’s encouragement, she finally did so. Adam rested comfortably against her.

“Now, ye can control the reins, but dinna worry. I will have a rope attached tae the horse’s bit. I’ll be able tae control yer mount if ye struggle.”

Connell helped her into the saddle, and the sling he had devised worked wonderfully to keep Adam secure and allow Mairi some freedom of movement.

“How did ye learn this?” she asked, her eyes wide.

Connell’s pleasant expression darkened, and he immediately dropped his gaze to the ground.

Kenna watched him worriedly. He didn’t reply, simply turning his back and pulling the rope attached to the horse’s bridle toward his own. He easily swung into the saddle, but his green eyes remained flat and desolate, his spine stiff, and his jaw clenched tightly.

Mairi swallowed hard and looked to Kenna, her gaze questioning.

Kenna lifted her hands in confusion. Mairi had not been rude with her question. She had no idea what caused the sudden change in the man.

Aidan, already mounted on his horse, approached and stopped beside Kenna. “Dinna say anything tae Mairi within earshot of Connell,” he whispered. “But tell her he suffered a terrible loss a couple of years ago. He and Mairi have much in common.”

Worry cut through her. “What mean ye?”

“’Tis not my place tae say anything more, that needs tae come from Connell, but I dinna wish Mairi tae think she erred. His dark moods come upon him whenever he is reminded of that loss.” He paused, watching Connell. “But I must admit, I have seen a great improvement in him since Mairi accepted his oath.”

Kenna looked back to Connell, her thoughts spinning, then she gazed at Aidan and his grim expression. She wondered if the loss had something to do with a bairn. Connell was old enough that he should have a family of his own. But in that moment, Kenna realized he had never mentioned a wife or children that she could recall.

“I will tell her,” she said softly.

Aidan nodded and pushed his horse ahead, leading them down the road.

HHH

Riding a horse for hours on end made Kenna realize she had muscles she never knew about. Whenever they dismounted and made camp for the night, she was grateful to get out of the saddle but also hated it because she could barely move. Sleeping on a bedroll on the cold ground only made it worse.

As they progressed, Kenna discovered Connell’s mood easing. She had spoken with Mairi discreetly and the lass was relieved to learn Connell’s change in moods was not her fault. Kenna noticed the two speaking quietly more and more. She was also happy to note Mairi’s fear seemed to be easing as her faith in Connell grew. She didn’t jump at every little thing.

Aidan’s easy-going nature also became more apparent. He was quite fun-loving and almost always had a wry comment or observation about any given situation, no matter how dire. When they camped, Aidan entertained them with tales of his brother terrifying the English as the Demon Laird during a siege against their castle. She also noticed he had developed a habit of sitting next to her at the campfire, many times gently rubbing her sore neck muscles as he spoke. Throughout it all, she sensed the camaraderie of their small group growing.

Kenna also discovered Aidan and Connell both offered sound advice when it came to riding. She did her best to listen and apply their suggestions. She quickly grew more adept and confident at handling her mount. Mairi, unfortunately, still seemed to struggle, and Connell kept the rope tied to the horse’s bit. Kenna again dressed as a man for the journey. She had suggested Mairi do the same and offered to help find her some clothes at the next village, but Mairi flatly refused. At least the clothing would prevent chafing, but Mairi would have none of it.

It didn’t take Kenna long to notice they were not proceeding in the most direct route toward Castle MacGrigor. Aidan had told her the castle was east, but she noticed many times they changed direction, heading more north and away from well-traveled roads and onto smaller trails. She also quickly noticed when they reached a vantage point in the trail that Aidan would stop and spend time gazing at the land around them. After he did this, they would many times change direction.

At least the weather stayed pleasant enough. Cold and windy, but it had not rained since they had begun their journey. She had a feeling that wouldn’t last for long. Spring rains should be starting soon.

The sun was at its zenith when Aidan again found a vantage point and looked at the land around them. His jaw tightened and his expression turned harsh. Kenna pulled her horse to a stop beside him.

“What’s wrong?”

Aidan glanced over his shoulder as Connell and Mairi continued down the trail, then his gaze returned to the land. “Riders south of us, moving fast.”

Kenna searched in the general direction. At first, she could see nothing, but then she spotted the movement of tiny dark shapes in the distance. She rubbed her eyes, struggling to focus on them. “Good glory,” she muttered. “No wonder they call ye the Hawk. I can barely see them.”

Aidan grinned at her. “Practice, lassie. Once ye ken what tae look for, they become easy tae spot.” But his smile quickly vanished. “They are trying tae get ahead of us, cut us off.”

“Hurstal?”

“Who else?”

“Perhaps scouts for Longshanks army?”

“Possible, but doubtful, not this far north.”

“What should we do?”

“Normally, I’d say we’d make a run tae get ahead of them. I ken this trail and there be a small ravine ahead. If we can reach it before they do, they will have a much more difficult time outpacing us.”

“But we’d have tae push hard tae reach it,” Kenna said, nodding. “I be up for it, but I dinna ken about Mairi.”

“Aye.” He gazed at her, a smile tugging at his lips. “Ye have been quite impressive.”

She blinked at him, surprised. “Me?”

“Aye. Ye take tae challenges like no other lassie I’ve ever seen. Yer riding skills are improving by leaps and bounds, especially considering the short time we’ve been on the trail. I daresay there is nothing ye couldna master once ye put yer mind tae it.”

She felt the blush rising on her cheeks. “Thank ye,” she said softly. “I had little chance tae try new things while under my father’s roof. I relish the freedom I have gained now.” She gazed at the dark forms moving over the land. “But that doesna help our quandary. What should we do?”

He too looked back to the brigands. “We pick up the pace gradually and see how Mairi fairs,” he paused and drew a deep breath. “And we hope for the best.”

She nodded and followed him to catch up with Connell and Mairi.

They managed to increase their pace to an easy gallop. Connell rode next to Mairi, and Kenna took up position on the other side. Mairi clutched at the saddle with one hand and held her bairn with the other. To Kenna’s surprise, she thought she heard Adam burbling a laugh as he bounced along. Unfortunately, Mairi’s face was as white as a sheet.

Aidan rode a few paces ahead of them. He glanced over his shoulder, eyeing them critically. “I will scout ahead,” he called and pushed his horse into a faster gallop.

Kenna wished she could go with him. But she stayed with Mairi and Connell. Connell had a unique ability to keep one eye on the trail and the other on Mairi, constantly offering encouragement and warning when he thought the horse might change its stride to compensate for the trail. Kenna knew it was only because of him that Mairi had not begged them to stop.

Kenna then heard the clatter of hooves ahead and looked up. Aidan came back around a bend, riding hard. “Hold!” he called. “Turn around!” He glanced over his shoulder and checked his mount to keep from plowing into them. “They reached the ravine. Turn around. Ride hard!”

Connell pulled his horse to a sliding stop and towed Mairi’s around in the other direction. Mairi squeaked in surprise, clinging to the saddle bow and to Adam, but she managed to stay on her mount. Kenna again pushed her horse to gallop beside Mairi, trying to stay close in case she started to slide. She glanced over her shoulder, and Aidan fell in stride behind them, but as he watched Mairi, his tight expression grew even more strained. He also glanced over his shoulder several times.

Kenna heard the horses closing before she caught a glimpse of them pursuing along the winding trail. Connell spared glances over his shoulder several times. He pushed his horse even faster, much to Mairi’s vexation. But they didn’t have a choice.

Aidan growled a curse. “Keep moving!” he snarled and pulled his horse to a stop.

“Aidan!” Kenna called, suddenly terrified. She slowed her mount.

“Ride on!” Aidan barked and spun his mount around.

Sweet Jesu, nay! He wouldn’t.

“Ride on, Kenna!” He pushed his mount into a gallop again and headed back the other direction, disappearing around a turn in the trail.

Kenna kicked her mount after Connell and Mairi, but her heart quailed. What was he doing? How many brigands would he face alone?

She heard the ring of steel behind her and jerked her horse to a stop.

“Kenna, ride now!” Connell barked.

Everything within her screamed to keep riding. Disobedience meant punishment, and that would be swift and sure. But another voice screamed in her heart. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t leave Aidan to face the brigands alone.

“Get Mairi tae safety!” she snapped.

“Kenna, nay!” He slowed his horse.

“Yer oath be tae her,” Kenna barked. “I can take care of myself.”

Connell gazed at her a long moment then gave her a curt nod, pushing his horse into a gallop again and pulling Mairi’s along with him.

Kenna spun her mount and charged back toward Aidan.

The ringing of steel grew louder. Kenna rounded the same turn in the trail as Aidan had earlier and saw two brigands dead on the ground, but three more surrounded him, all mounted. Aidan remained on his horse, but he was trapped and defending repeated attacks from all sides.

Saints be merciful, what could she do? There were few trees along the trail, mostly the short scrub of the winter Highlands and large rocks. There wasn’t enough cover for her to hide and jump into the fray wielding her biodags as before.

Aidan barely managed to block another cut at his head and terror shot through her, stealing sane thought. She couldn’t bear to see anything happen to him. She couldn’t stand by and watch them slay him.

She whipped her horse into a gallop and charged straight for two of the men attacking Aidan.

He looked up and saw her. “Kenna, nay!”

The other two brigands looked to her, but it was too late. Her mount plowed into theirs, squealing. Kenna leapt away at the last instant, slamming into the ground, but she managed to turn the fall into a roll. The impact knocked the wind out of her, but otherwise she was unhurt. She bounded to her feet, reaching for her biodags.

Her mount’s charge had knocked the other two horses down. Hers rose but limped badly. Saints’ blood, now she didn’t have a horse. She should have thought this through.

The brigands’ horses were tangled with each other and struggled to rise.

“Kenna!” Aidan barked.

She looked at him, startled to see him galloping toward her. He extended his hand and Kenna’s heart lurched as she realized what he meant to do and moved her hands away from her biodags. She swallowed hard and summoned her courage. As he reached her, she grabbed his hand and leapt toward his horse. Aidan easily hauled her up, and she swung onto his mount behind him. He pushed his horse into a hard gallop.

Kenna looked back. The remaining brigand appeared as if he might follow, but he hesitated, eyeing his fallen comrades, and didn’t pursue. Both horses were now on their feet, but one man staggered as if injured, and the other remained on the ground unmoving.

Before they reached the turn in the trail, Kenna saw three more brigands join the others and stop.

“Bloody hell,” Aidan growled, pushing his horse even harder. “’Tis a good thing ye be such a wee lassie.”

Kenna scowled in confusion then abruptly realized that burdened with two riders made it much more difficult for Aidan’s horse to outpace the others. She could only hope Aidan was right and her slight form would not be too much of a burden.

They rode past the point where Kenna had decided to go after Aidan. Behind them, she heard shouts and horses snorting along with the rattle of armor. Aidan glanced over his shoulder. “Hold on,” he snarled and jerked the reins.

Kenna was grateful for his warning. If she had not wrapped her arms around his waist, she would have gone flying. His horse snorted in protest but slid to a stop and dove off the trail. Kenna choked back a scream as they galloped down a steep ravine, the horse sitting back on its haunches and sliding. A small stream ran through the bottom, and Aidan turned his mount to gallop north, splashing through the water. The ravine made a sharp cut, and before them stood giant gray rocks, the water tumbling over them in small streams from high above.