Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (90 page)

He thought he heard the sound of someone moving inside but couldn’t be certain if it was real or the buzzing in his ears from the medicant. Buzzing that seemed to be increasing. He directed Kenna to stand on the other side of the door.

“Have yer biodags ready, lassie.”

“I won’t hurt him,” she said sternly.

“I dinna expect ye tae,” Aidan said, grinning. “But I dinna ken what state Connell be in. I just need ye tae stop him from running me through.”

“Ye be serious?”

“Quite.” He took a deep breath and again whistled his bird song and waited.

This time he definitely heard the creak of a board as someone stepped to the door. Suddenly, the door flew open and a giant shadow filled it, sword raised. He fought to leap backward, but his wound protested that violent of a movement and he staggered.

Kenna leapt in front of him, her biodags crossed in front of her, above her head. She caught Connell’s descending sword, but instead of trying to stop it, which would result in her defense caving and her being slain, she stepped to the side and redirected Connell’s sword blow away and down.

“Connell, cease!” she whispered harshly. “It’s us!”

Mairi abruptly appeared next to him, her hand on his arm. “Connell, nay!”

He hesitated, blinking at them, his entire body shaking. “Kenna? Aidan?”

“Aye,” Aidan said, but he grimaced, his hand on his wounded side. He thought he felt a bit of blood. Damnation, if he had ripped his stitches, Lia would have his head. But the pain, which was growing but not bad yet, prodded him forward. He needed to return to the keep.

“Get inside,” Mairi said, pushing Connell back.

Kenna grabbed Aidan’s arm, watching him worriedly, and followed them through the door. Connell closed it behind them but loomed before it, unwilling to move.

Aidan placed the lantern on a small table, its tiny light barely illuminating the room. He focused on Connell; the grief and pain he saw in the man’s eyes twisted his heart.

“How did ye find me?” he rumbled.

“I ken ye better than ye think I do,” Aidan replied, stepping forward to grip the man’s shoulder. “Everyone else . . . well this would be the last place they would look for ye.”

“Connell, please,” Mairi said, taking his hand and gently tugging. “Sit for a spell.”

He shook his head and remained unmoving.

Aidan’s gaze swept the room. A pace away, Adam slept in a cradle. It was still in good repair, but the wood had scars from being well used. Aidan’s heart twisted even more. William’s old cradle.

“Connell,” Aidan said, pulling his gaze from the cradle. “I came tae fetch ye back. We’ve ended the threat.”

Connell’s brows collided in the middle of his forehead. “Ye have blood on yer tunic.”

“Just moved a mite too quickly.”

“Lia gave him a concoction tae keep him on his feet,” Kenna said. “But it willna last long. We need tae get back tae the castle.”

“What about the Bruce’s men?”

“We stopped a nefarious plot. Ronan be tossing them out at sunrise.”

Connell’s eyes widened and he looked at Mairi. “We must go.”

She stared at him a long moment then nodded.

“We’ll have ye back at the castle in no time,” Aidan said.

“Nay,” Connell growled between clenched teeth. “We canna return.”

“What?” Aidan asked, taken aback. “When the Bruce’s men leave the gates, they will search for ye. They ken ye werena in the keep.”

“That be why we must leave now.” He pulled some coins from his belt pouch and tried to hand them to Aidan. “Give this tae the blacksmith with my apologies, but he has a few horses in his barn. I will be taking two of them.”

“Will ye cease?” Aidan snapped. “If ye return with me, ye can hide in the tunnels until the men leave.”

“Aye, we can hide. These men will eventually give up and leave, but then the Bruce will send others. When will it stop, young MacGrigor? If we return tae the castle, the Bruce will simply send more, then more, then more. I canna do that tae my laird. I willna force him tae choose between his king and a wee bairn.”

“The Bruce has a war tae worry over.”

Connell shook his head. He drew a deep breath, locking Aidan in his gaze. “I canna risk it. I willna risk it. We have been friends since we were lads, all of us getting into trouble more often than no’. I ask ye as my friend, respect my decision in this.”

Pain and anger cut through Aidan’s heart. Why wouldn’t the man listen to reason? He struggled to control his temper and took a breath.

Kenna gently gripped his arm.

He looked at her, startled, her green eyes liquid and shining in the weak light. “Aidan,” she said softly. “He’s made his decision. We need tae support him.”

Aidan gazed at her a long moment, his anger fading and fear replacing it. He looked back at Connell. “Where will ye go?”

“Most likely Edinburgh. ’Tis large enough we will be nameless—just faces in the crowd.”

“Connell, ye are right, ye are my friend. I dinna want ye tae leave.”

“I must if I am tae protect Mairi and Adam. We canna stay here.”

Aidan sighed heavily and dragged his hand through his hair, wincing as the action pulled at his wound. Bloody hell, he had to get back. But he looked to his friend. “Kenna and I . . . we be going tae Cumbria.”

Connell’s brows flew up his forehead, then a genuine smile cracked his face. “Lia’s inheritance?”

“Aye.”

“I kenned the MacGrigor would find a solution.”

“He did. Connell, if ye and Mairi ever need anything . . . Please tell me ye will find us there.”

Connell’s smile faded a bit but didn’t leave his expression entirely. “I will, Aidan, ye have my word.”

“Is there anything I can do tae help? Do ye need coin? Supplies?”

“I have plenty of coin, and we packed supplies. “All we need are horses.” Again he tried to hand Aidan some coin.

A second time Aidan refused it. “Dinna worry about the blacksmith, I will take care of him. Ye will need all yer coin in this venture.”

Connell thought for a moment then nodded. “Thank ye.”

Aidan nodded curtly and held out his hand. “God speed, my friend.”

Connell accepted his forearm with a strong grip. “Thank ye . . . for everything.”

Aidan embraced Mairi and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Be well, lassie, and dinna let Connell grow too surly.”

“We will be fine, Aidan, thank ye.”

Kenna, tears in her eyes, also hugged Mairi then Connell. “May God and the saints guide yer journey, and one day return ye tae us.” She pulled away and faced Aidan. “Ye need tae get back before that medicant wears off.”

“Aye, lassie.” His heart heavy, desperately trying to think of some other way to convince them not to leave but failing, Aidan put his arm around Kenna’s shoulders and allowed her to lead him through the door.

HHH

Connell secured the chain to the back door, fighting to still his shaking hands, but staying for so long in this accursed shop had nearly ripped his soul in twain. He was so very glad to be free of it. He glanced down at Mairi as he took her hand in his. She watched him with an intensity that unnerved him, but he understood the reason for it.

She had no idea what this place was or any knowledge of the events that had happened to make him hate it so. A part of him wished he could find the words to explain it to her, another part of him longed to simply bury the agony and forget about it.

But there was no forgetting this pain, only surviving it.

He glanced up the sky as it brightened with pink streaks in the east. They needed to hurry. They had packed supplies before Connell had taken Mairi to the tunnels. A part of him had known they would be forced to leave. He should have heeded his instincts and departed immediately. But the other part of him was glad he had been able to bid farewell to Aidan and Kenna, to know his friend now had a new future open to him. That fact gave Connell’s hardened heart a bit of hope, although he was loath to admit it.

Hope only led to heartbreak.

Connell led Mairi to the barn behind the blacksmith’s shop. He regretted being forced to steal horses, but he dare not return to the castle. Aidan had been right, as soon as the gates opened, the Bruce’s men would swarm the land. But Aidan would be true to his word and compensate the blacksmith, conveying Connell’s regret. He found two strong mounts and quickly saddled them, helping Mairi onto hers. He secured the lead rope to its bit then led the animals from the barn.

The sun had started to rise. On the motte above the village, he looked once again to the keep. The gates would be opening soon.

“Connell,” Mairi said, her voice soft. She reached out and touched his shoulder. “’Tis not my wish for ye tae leave yer home.”

He tore his gaze from the keep, but it landed on a distant cemetery, barely visible in the misty morning. He drew in a ragged breath. “It ceased being my home a long time ago.” He shivered and turned his back, leading the horses away.

“Please, what vexes ye so greatly?”

He stopped again and mounted his own horse, pushing it closer to hers. “Dinna worry over it, lassie,” he said and mustered a smile. He reached out and lightly caressed her cheek. “We will find a new place tae call home. All that matters tae me is that ye and Adam are safe.”

In the distance, he heard the screech of the windlass as the gates opened. He kicked his horse into a trot and Mairi’s horse followed him. He turned on the road leading away from Castle MacGrigor and headed southeast.

Not once did he allow himself to look back.

July 1307

Glen Gyle, Castle MacGrigor

Scottish Highlands

A
idan laughed heartily but a bit breathlessly as he escorted his new bride from the dancing to the high table. The wedding and revel had been a sight to behold. Although fully recovered from his injury, his stamina hadn’t returned completely, but it would soon. He sank into his chair and nodded gratefully as a servant filled his wine cup.

Kenna sat next to him, also a bit out of breath, but her emerald eyes sparkled. The servant filled her cup as well, and she took a long drink. Her gaze swept over the great hall, watching the revelers. It was a fine event, the great hall filled with guests.

“I am most pleased at the attendance,” she said to Aidan. “I feared yer brother would frighten away all our guests.”

Aidan laughed again. Because the land in Cumbria was a goodly distance, Ronan had insisted on holding the wedding at MacGrigor keep. Besides, there was so much work to be done at their new home, it would be months before they would be able to host such an event. Ronan had kindly started sending supplies and men to begin rebuilding, but Aidan wondered what he would find when he and Kenna arrived.

“I tried tae warn ye,” Aidan said. “If my brother tried tae terrorize the guests arriving for his own wedding, there was no doubt what he would attempt tae do at mine.”

“Seeing ye chase each other across the walls like squirrels through the trees nearly frightened me tae death.”

Aidan’s humor vanished. “I had tae get him off the crenellations over the barbican somehow, otherwise none of our guests would have entered. Then he called me a codswallop.”

Kenna’s laugh was musical.

Aidan gazed at her, indignant for a moment, but he wasn’t able to maintain it and grinned ruefully.

Abruptly, a hand placed another cup before him. He scowled and looked up, arching an eyebrow when he saw Lia standing over his shoulder, her arms folded over her chest and her foot tapping impatiently.

He caught a whiff of the cup’s contents and curled his lip. “What be this, lassie? I be fully recovered.”

“You are not recovered until I say you are.”

He sighed heavily. After finding Connell, Aidan had barely made it back to the keep before he collapsed. Lia had spoken truly when she stated he would drop like a stone when the medicant wore off. He remembered very little after that. “Aye,” he said softly. His gaze dropped, and he hoped his expression was appropriately contrite as he reached for the cup. He stole a peek at her through lowered lashes.

Lia bit her lip, her cheeks reddening slightly. She had been terribly vexed with him when he had returned. He had been lucky she hadn’t repaired his stitches with the tanner’s needle.

As his fingers closed on the cup, he glanced at Kenna, who fought to control her expression and keep from laughing. She knew this was Lia’s revenge for Aidan worrying her so.

The minstrels struck up a lively tune, giving him an idea. He shot her a questioning glance.

“Aidan MacGrigor, what are ye plotting?” she whispered.

“Aidan?” Lia asked as he hesitated with the cup in his hand.

“My dear sister,” he said releasing the cup. “’Tis my wedding revel, and the medicant makes me terribly drowsy. Before I drink it, may I ask ye tae dance with me at least once?”

Kenna nearly exploded in laughter, but she managed to control herself.

Lia looked to the heavens, but her lips twitched. “One dance, then.”

Aidan rose and took her hand, bowing over it. He led her toward the dance floor and glanced over his shoulder at Kenna, giving her a wink.

Kenna returned the gesture. As a servant carrying an empty tray swept past, Kenna grabbed the medicant cup, placed it on the servant’s tray, and watched it disappear into the kitchens.

Aidan danced twice with Lia, happy to note that even Ronan joined in, dancing with Kenna. By the time the four returned to their chairs, they were laughing and jesting. Aidan sat and again availed himself of some wine, grateful it wasn’t the foul medicant Lia had concocted for him. Then he spotted Gordy approaching.

As soon as Aidan had recovered, he, Gordy, and Kenna had set to work making changes to his nests of birds. Ronan still wanted Aidan to manage everything from his new home and agreed that Aidan would be making decisions based on the information he gained on a larger scale. But the entire point was to give Ronan information to assist him in leading Clan MacGrigor. Forcing Gordy to constantly travel between the two keeps would quickly run him ragged, so they had been reorganizing and putting a network in place that would speed the delivery of information and not be too much of a strain on Gordy. Urgent matters he would still handle personally, but for the most part, the changes they were making would ease the burden on his shoulders and allow Aidan to guide the nests from his new home.

Aidan was grateful Gordy had been able to attend the wedding and enjoy the revel. He counted the man as a loyal friend. He couldn’t run his nests without Gordy’s hard work. But judging from the look in his eyes as he approached, a bird had just given him some important news.

“Gordy!” Aidan called. “Sit with us and share a cup of wine.”

Gordy smiled and joined them. Aidan noticed the servants were quick to fill their cups then give them a wide berth until they were called upon.

“Thank ye,” Gordy said, accepting the chair. “’Tis been a wonderful feast and revel.”

Aidan gave him a nod and waited patiently as the man took a drink from his cup.

Gordy leaned forward, his smile vanishing. “Longshanks is dead. Prince Edward is now king of England.”

Aidan looked at him in surprise then glanced at his brother, who rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering the news.

“Illness?” Ronan asked.

“Aye. Word is he died in Burgh on Sands, demanding his son boil the flesh from his bones so he could continue tae lead his troops against the Scots until they are defeated.” Aidan arched an eyebrow, but Gordy shook his head. “It is most unlikely his son will accede tae the request. There is an even greater rumor that the son plans tae withdraw his troops and give up on the war.”

“We ken the new king has no’ the stomach for conquest that his father had,” Aidan said.

“Aye,” Ronan replied, but his brow was still creased in thought.

“Gordy, has anyone heard anything from Connell?” Aidan asked.

“Nay.”

“Ronan,” Aidan asked, “do ye think Connell will return now?”

Ronan shook his head. “Longshanks’s quest tae slay the bairn has ended with his death. There were those who hated Longshanks, but they feared and respected him. Many more hate the son, but they dinna fear him, and they dinna respect him. I worry now that the bairn’s father has gained the throne, the Bruce will become an even greater threat tae the wee lad, as well as those in England who will surely plot against the new king.”

The Bruce had sent one more herald to Castle MacGrigor, apologizing profusely for the insult his men had dealt and offering an even greater reward to Aidan. But Aidan knew the entire thing was simply to determine that the bairn was no longer within the walls of MacGrigor keep, and they had heard nothing more from Scotland’s king.

Aidan rubbed his eyes again, sending prayers to the heavens for his friend’s safety. “If the son withdraws his forces, the Bruce will be able tae consolidate his power.”

“I may have my differences with the Bruce,” Ronan said, “but there will always be scheming and treachery when it comes tae politics. I am encouraged though.”

“Encouraged?”

“The Bruce be stronger than Balliol; I believe he will lead Scotland well.”

Aidan looked at his brother in surprise then shook his head. “I have much tae learn. I didna expect tae hear that from ye.”

Ronan chuckled and rose, standing behind Aidan and gripping his shoulder. “Look at it this way, brother, even in the midst of these trying times, Clan MacGrigor has been prosperous. We have doubled the size of our holdings, and ye and yer bride have a new future awaiting ye.”

Aidan looked up at Ronan. “Remember what Da told us? That if the MacGrigor brothers stood in defense of each other, the clan would be prosperous.” His gaze slid to Kenna, and he took her hand in his. “No matter the distance, we will always have the strength of family. That be a future I can look forward tae.”

HHH

Aidan buried his face in Kenna’s hair, nuzzling her neck as his heart continued to thunder in his chest, and he struggled to catch his breath.

“I love ye,” she murmured.

“And I love ye, little sparrow,” he replied as he lifted his head and smiled down at her. He didn’t want to move but knew he had to. With a groan, he rolled on his side then cursed as his back hit the wall and the edge of his bed at the same moment.

Kenna giggled, turning on her side and propping herself up on her elbow. “Now, Aidan, ’tis our wedding night.”

He managed a chuckle. “Forgive me, lassie, but this bed be barely big enough for me. ’Tis good ye be a wee thing.”

She laughed. “That’s what ye keep telling me.” She gazed at him a long moment then stroked a lock of hair from his forehead. “But this will be only another day or two, then we’ll be off tae our new home.”

Despite his happiness at making Kenna his wife, fear lunged within him. “Aye,” he said softly. “I wonder what will greet us when we arrive. The last I saw the place, it was a pile of blackened stone being reclaimed by the field.”

“I’m sure the workers will have at least a hut for us.”

“As long as it is better than the peasant’s hovel the Bruce first housed us in,” he muttered.

“Yer brother hired one of the best master builders, Aidan. I’m certain it will be wonderful.”

“Aye, he be going tae a great expense over this. It will be a long time before the land will make money.”

“He wants tae do this for ye Aidan, for us. The clan has been prosperous, and much of that is due tae the work ye put in.”

“Aye, Kenna, but it be work I do well. Ronan is the laird, not I. I ken nothing about—”

“Cease,” she snapped and glared at him. “Ronan told me ye’ve stepped forward as laird when needed, especially when he was wounded so terribly.”

“Aye, but that be different. I ken nothing about managing lands and taxes, or even building a keep.”

She leaned forward and lightly nibbled on his ear. “Then ye will learn, just as I learned how tae be one of yer birds.”

He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her lips against his skin, but as she started to pull away, he stopped her, curling his knuckle under her chin and gazing into her beautiful eyes. “At least we will be together, my sweet sparrow. I have the perfect example of courage right here beside me.”

She blushed prettily. “Aidan—” she began and tried to pull away.

“Where ye be going?” he asked with a grin and abruptly pulled her on top of him. “This be our wedding night. Yer willna escape me that easily.”

She laughed as she straddled him and sat up. “Ye be recovered already?”

He reached up, cupping her breasts in her hands. “Stay right there and I will be in a moment.”

Her smile faded but not the happiness in her eyes. She leaned over him, her lips hovering over his. “I dinna ken what the future holds, but I ken I love ye, Aidan MacGrigor. Nothing will ever change that,” she whispered and touched her lips to his.