Highlands Forever (Books 1–3)

by Rand, Violetta

  “I am happy to hear it. Tell me you understand what I’ve been saying, that you will not be so hard on yourself.”

  “I can say whatever ye want to hear. But the moment I am alone, dark thoughts fill my mind.”

  “Then never be alone again, Miran.”

  She gave him a sideways glance. “What do ye mean?”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Marry me. Now. Tomorrow.”

  What did he mean exactly? “That willna solve my troubles.”

  “I disagree. Sleeping in my arms every night, feeling how much I love ye, will help heal yer heart.”

  At the beginning of their journey, those extraordinary words would have frightened her, maybe even made her angry. Now that she knew Kai, had felt his strong arms around her, and experienced his dedication to her, she could accept it. But still… “Ye love me? Truly?”

  “Come here, sweet one.” He slid his hand behind her head, guiding her closer until their foreheads touched. “I have always loved you.”

  *

  He kissed her softly at first, then desire exploded inside him and his tongue sought hers. Her sweet taste filled his mouth, providing more healing powers than sleep or food could ever give.

  “K-Kai…”

  He pulled back so he could see her face.

  “I love ye.”

  His heart thundered in sweet victory. He’d waited what seemed a lifetime for her to realize they were meant for each other. “We belong together.”

  “Aye. But there is something I must know.”

  He arched a brow.

  “Before I discovered Cadha in yer tent, I was on my way to see ye.”

  “Another blessing from God.”

  “Nay,” she disagreed. “I was verra angry. My maid told me Jamie encouraged ye to woo me, gave ye permission to marry me.”

  Kai inhaled deeply and repositioned himself against the pillows on the bed. “Aye. I sought his blessing before we left. What did you expect me to do? How could we travel together and not face the truth of our feelings? I knew we had to come to terms. I want to be yer companion and husband. Your lover.”

  “Why not ask for my blessing?”

  Kai did not want to hurt her. Sometimes Miran had unusual ideas about how men and women should act. She was intelligent and imaginative, but had lived a sheltered life. “Even if I had gained your approval, Jamie had to give his permission.”

  “We could have sought it together—once we decided what to do.”

  “Miran.”

  “Aye?”

  “You cannot change the rules.”

  “Why not? Do we not all change as time passes?”

  “Aye.”

  “Traditions change, too.”

  “Slowly.” He knew that from personal experience. At one time, foreigners were not permitted in the holy city of Constantinople. When the princes realized how much coin they could get if they opened up their ports for trade, they enacted new laws.

  “I am a patient woman.”

  “Save your strength for another cause. If you require an apology for me seeking Jamie’s approval to win you, I refuse to give one. It was the best decision of my life. We are betrothed now.”

  “Aye,” she said. “But, please, the next time ye want permission for anything that involves me, seek me out first.”

  He grinned. “I will do my best to honor your request.”

  “Captain Kai?” Colin peeked inside the room.

  “Colin,” Kai said. “Come in.”

  “Ye doona know how happy it makes me to hear ye laugh!”

  “I am feeling better,” Kai said.

  “The Sutherlands are growing restless. It’s been days. Are ye strong enough to meet with them?”

  “Aye. Bring their captains to me now.”

  Colin bowed and departed.

  “Do ye wish me to go?” Miran asked as she rolled off the bed.

  “Nay. I would like you to stay and listen. Please sit in the chair by the door.”

  An hour later, three men wearing Sutherland tartans entered the small bedchamber.

  “Captain Kai MacKay, I am Captain Gordon Sutherland, second cousin to the earl. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”

  “Captain,” Kai said.

  “Ye’re young commander has relayed everything that happened at Cacalay. We dinna know how dire the conditions were under Igor’s rule.”

  “I am grateful for your help. Captain,” Kai said. “And I believe we can find a way to end Igor’s reign. Once I am home, it will be my first priority to organize a larger force and march against Igor. I will accept no less than his life as payment for his transgressions against Clan, MacKay, me, and the innocent people he brutalizes every day.”

  “I have sent a request to the earl seeking his permission to restore order in the village. I believe both our clans will benefit greatly.”

  “Agreed.”

  Kai and Gordon grasped each other’s forearms.

  “I will return to our stronghold and await word from ye.”

  The Sutherlands left.

  “That is all?” Miran asked, sounding surprised.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ye trust the word of that man?”

  “No more than he trusts me. We are adversaries but want the same thing. Have you ever heard the saying ‘keep your enemies close’?”

  She shook her head. “Would it no’ be easier to be allies?”

  Kai patted the open space beside him on the bed where Fraser and his wife normally slept. “Sit with me.”

  She did.

  “Because Laird Jamie and Lady Helen married, there is an unspoken peace between our clans. Yet, in order to keep his reputation intact and his alliances with other clans that don’t like us, the earl pretends to be our enemy.”

  “A deceptive man.”

  “Aye. And a brilliant statesman.”

  “I doona like it.”

  Kai chuckled. “Do not worry, Miran MacKay, all will be right soon enough.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Will ye attend my daughter’s wedding?” Fraser asked Kai as he set out two cups and poured them equal measures of ale. “We’d hoped to have them wed by now, but the priest dinna arrive as planned. The snow storm delayed him.”

  Feeling completely healed, it was the first day Kai had ventured out of bed. If forced to spend another day on his back, he would have gone mad. “I am honored, and will gladly witness their vows. How soon will the wedding take place?”

  Fraser sipped his ale. “Tomorrow evening, for Master Kinnear is eager to see our families united.”

  “I salute you, Fraser. And your wife. May Rossa and Craig find joy and have many sons and daughters.” He raised his drinking vessel and tapped it against Fraser’s cup.

  The older man smiled and took a drink before he leaned close and whispered, “From what I’ve heard, yer own nuptials are no’ long off.”

  “Tis true. I heeded your advice and let the lass come to me.”

  “She stayed by yer side from the moment ye arrived here. At first, we all thought the worst, that ye would die.”

  Kai frowned at the possibility of never getting a chance to live as husband and wife with Miran. To never get to know her heart and mind, to never bed her, or have children with her. To miss growing old together. He bowed his head and said a silent prayer. God had spared him for a reason, and he believed he knew why—to give Miran a second chance at happiness. He would be her family now. “The poison Cadha used was one your daughter had never seen before.”

  “Aye—we had to wait and pray for God’s mercy.”

  “Your prayers helped. Thank ye.” That and the fact that Kai was a besotted fool. He simply refused to die. While under the power of Cadha’s poison, he’d had vivid dreams. Miran ever-present but just out of reach. Her smile had pulled him back from the clutches of death many times. “I credit faith and fate.”

  “Fate is a powerful force.”

  “Aye,” Kai agr
eed.

  “And now, if ye will excuse me, Captain, I wish to tell my wife and children the good news about the wedding.”

  A few moments after Fraser departed, Miran joined him at the table. “Ye are looking well, Captain.” Her smile warmed his heart.

  “My strength is restored. Do not spend any more time worrying about me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That is a request I canna satisfy. We will be back at Sands Airgid soon. I will feel more secure there. But I am sure I will spend the rest of my days wondering if ye will return to my arms each night. Tis the sacrifice I must make in order to be with the man I love.”

  He laced his fingers through hers. “What changed your mind about me, Miran?”

  Their gazes met. “There are many reasons.”

  “Are you ashamed to tell me?”

  She gave him a shy smile. “I told ye something changed inside me when we left Sands Airgid. I felt guilty for treating ye so poorly, for thinking of ye as an enemy instead of a loyal servant to my cousin.”

  “Nothing more?”

  “Ye are handsome and compassionate. And ye make me laugh.”

  “There must be something else?” He wanted there to be a hundred reasons for her loving him. “Perhaps I can help you remember.”

  He guided her off her chair and into his lap, capturing her mouth with his, not caring if anyone caught them. Whenever they were in each other’s arms, she was all he needed. He breathed in her soft scent, his body aching for her. “I cannot wait much longer to have you, Miran. Do you know what it’s like to see your beautiful face and body every day and not be able to touch you the way I want to? To run off together without anyone caring where we go, so we can share our secrets and dreams? Begin living the lives we were truly meant to have.”

  “I feel the same,” she said. “After what we’ve been through. Ye almost dying. Me having to kill Cadha…”

  “Aye,” Kai agreed. “We deserve peace and happiness together.” He hugged her close.

  Someone cleared their throat, and Miran jumped off his lap, her cheeks red.

  “Lass,” Mary said in a motherly tone, “I think ye should come with me to the kitchen. Captain Kai, perhaps a breath of fresh air would benefit ye greatly.”

  He nodded, understanding why Mary was being so protective of Miran. He gulped the last of his ale down and stood. “I would like to visit my men. I will return as soon as I can.”

  “Yer horse is in the stable, Captain,” Mary said.

  He bowed and cast a wicked smile at Miran before he walked out, knowing soon they’d be together.

  *

  “Lass,” Mary said gently once they reached the kitchen. “I have been told both of yer parents are no longer with us.”

  “Aye.” Miran felt her cheeks heat and wondered if Mary had seen everything she and Kai had done together. After all, she’d found Miran in the captain’s lap. “I grew up without my mam.”

  “I am sorry for yer loss. I understand ye were raised by yer cousins, Laird Jamie and Laird Alex? Who both married recently.”

  “Mistress Mary, if—”

  “Do not be ashamed to love Captain Kai,” she interrupted, “only, I feel obligated to speak with ye about how things should be between a man and woman. I am sure no one has taken the time to do so, seeing as ye were raised by men.”

  That the woman cared enough to take her aside on her daughter’s wedding day both humbled and amazed Miran. “I am betrothed to Captain Kai.”

  “Aye?”

  “We havena signed a formal contract yet. Upon our return to Sands Airgid, Kai will speak with Laird Jamie who has already given his permission for me to marry the captain.”

  Mary clapped her hands in joy. “This is wonderful news!”

  “I am struggling with the idea.”

  “Ye are no’ happy, child?” Her expression changed to one of genuine concern. “Did the laird force this betrothal on ye?”

  “Nay. Jamie is kind, no’ a tyrant.”

  Mary nodded. “Then why are ye so unsure?”

  “I-I…” How could she explain that she valued her independence and was afraid no matter how often Kai promised not to take away her freedom, she was certain he would.

  “Out with it, lass.” Mary turned to the table where she was cooling fresh-baked loaves of bread. “We are the only ones about right now.”

  “I am not accustomed to answering to anyone, especially a husband.”

  Understanding lit Mary’s eyes. “Ye are a hellion, then?”

  Miran couldna hold in her chuckle. She appreciated the woman’s frankness. “Some would say so.”

  “But ye are no’ longer a child. Tis time to act like a lady.”

  Cadha had told her the same thing. “I know what will be expected of me.”

  “Ye do?”

  “On our wedding night.”

  Mary waved her hand dismissively. “The joining is only a small part of yer duties as a wife, lass. Ye will be responsible for everything—his clothes and bairns, and as a noblewoman, matters of great importance, I am sure. Perhaps even yer own home one day. Whatever ye do reflects upon him and yer clan. Ye are the laird’s dear cousin.”

  Miran stared at the floor, feeling like a chastised babe. Mary spoke nothing but truth. It was irresponsible to let her feelings for Kai go unchecked. If she dinna reign in her desire, she’d be with child before their wedding day! But more than anything, Miran dinna want to wait to marry Kai. They’d almost lost each other because of Cadha and her evil attempt at revenge. Surely Jamie would understand if they forewent the formal ceremony and were married quietly in the kirk at Sands Airgid.

  “Here.” Mary offered her a slice of crusty bread. “My own daughters always found comfort in warm bread.”

  Miran took a bite and couldna believe how good it tasted. “Thank ye.”

  “Now tell me, are ye sure ye wish to marry the captain?”

  “Aye.”

  “Then ye must protect yerself from his advances. Men and women are verra different. Men are driven by instincts, similar to the beasts in the field.”

  Miran laughed at the comparison. Aye, Kai was wild.

  “Women are dominated by their hearts. Responsible for giving life. Do ye understand?”

  “Aye.”

  “Perhaps ye need a companion? One of yer maids should stay with ye at all times, even sleep in the same chamber with ye.”

  “I doona think it necessary.”

  “All right,” Mary said, preparing more loaves of bread for the oven. “I will be watching ye, lass. The captain is a wonderful man, and we consider him a dear friend now, but he’s still a man.”

  Miran hugged Mary. “Thank ye for caring. If ye doona mind overmuch, I’d like to rest for a while.” She practically ran to the tiny chamber where she slept and closed the door.

  She wished she could disappear, and that Mary had never witnessed her and Kai’s unseemly behavior. Tonight, she would speak with him about respecting the rules of propriety. Though she would miss those searing kisses and wrapping her arms around his strong body. She sighed as she crawled under the fur and closed her eyes.

  There was no doubt her captain would agree to marry her sooner than later.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Later that evening, Kai and Miran stood with Fraser and Mary, their children, Colin, Master Kinnear and his wife, and their son, Craig. The priest had arrived moments ago and required some warmed wine before he would perform the wedding vows.

  Miran had been trying to get Kai alone, but he’d avoided it, for he knew what she was going to say. Mistress Mary must have spoken to Miran about how to conduct herself, even if they were betrothed.

  Kai did not want to be robbed of the joys of intimacy with Miran. Every day he looked forward to loving her. He gazed at her then, desire building. How he loved her, all of her, from her stubbornness to her glorious, golden hair. Nay, it would not do.

  Miran was wearing a flattering, blue wool gown and a silver chain about
her neck. Her golden hair had been combed out and two braids, one on each side of her face, were dressed with blue ribbons. The fitted bodice accentuated her tiny waist and the heaviness of her breasts. She had the most elegant neck and delicate hands. And the sharpest tongue. He smiled.

  “Kai,” she whispered through gritted teeth.

  “Aye?” His head snapped up so he could meet her gaze.

  “Why are ye looking at me in such a way?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you want the truth?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “I was thinking about how pretty you are, how often you make me smile.”

  Then an idea hit him. Why should they wait to marry? Why suffer when there was a priest available now? A smile spread across his face. Which only served to make Miran nervous.

  “Why are ye grinning like a guilty lad? What have ye done, Kai?”

  He ignored her.

  “Kai?”

  He slipped his arm about her slender waist and guided her to the front of the room where the priest stood.

  “Captain,” Father Donald said. “I am pleased ye are here to witness the marriage of Craig and Rossa. I have known both of them since they were born. Lady Miran.” He bowed his head.

  “I have a special request, Father Donald,” Kai said.

  “Anything I can help ye with, Kai?” Fraser asked.

  “It depends on what the priest says,” Kai explained.

  “What are ye about, Captain?” Miran shifted in his embrace.

  “I would be happy to help ye,” the priest said.

  “If it isn’t too much to ask,” Kai said to Fraser and Mary, “I would like to marry Miran tonight, alongside your daughter.”

  Miran tugged on his sleeve. “Kai. What are ye doing?”

  He finally turned to her. “What I should have done months ago. What I know we both want.”

  “Ye want to marry me now? Here?” she asked.

  “Will you let me?”

  “Aye!”

  “Tis an unusual request,” the priest said, “but if ye are certain Laird Jamie granted permission, then I have no reason to deny ye.”

  “I think it’s a fine idea,” Mary said, beaming at Miran. “It will solve all of the problems we discussed earlier, aye?”