by Victoria Zak
His son Kit was the least of his problems. Every day he’d practice with his sword or plow the fields. His son waited to be called into service for the king. Though Kendrick knew devotion to the crown wasn’t his reason for wanting to leave. The lad mourned his mother still. Would the lad find comfort in the bottle like Kendrick? The thought scared him.
Thank God he’d been blessed with hard-working tenants who helped keep his land going.
After a long, cold winter, the demand for barley and fresh beef from his herd of cattle must be satisfied in order to keep the local village fed.
Kendrick slumped back in his chair and sighed. Why couldn’t he find the strength to take care of his family?
Without Adamina, the fight is gone.
Adamina had been the strength that kept their family together.
He closed his eyes and imagined her beautiful smile. “God’s bones,” he cursed. Living without her grew harder each day.
Kendrick took another drink, taking comfort that his wife still lived within his children. Anna had her smile, Kit had her witty humor, and Allie…
many times he found himself unforgiving toward the child. He often blamed her for his wife’s death, though he shouldn’t. Their lives were unravelling, and Kendrick had no idea how to fix it.
3
COLD WATER RIPPED Kendrick from sleep. He shot up from the chair, dripping wet and angry. “What have ye done?” He glared at the bucket in Anna’s hands.
Annoyed, Anna slammed the bucket on the table next to him. “Time for ye to wake up, Da.”
All three of his children were staring at him.
“There’s leftover porridge and bread on the table.” Anna walked away with Allie.
“Da, I’ll start a fire so ye dinnae catch yer death,” Kit said as he began to throw wood into the hearth.
“Thank ye, son.” Kendrick groaned, his head hurt.
“Finn will be here soon. Ye should try to eat something.”
“Aye,” Anna called from the kitchen. “And bathe. Ye reek of ale and vomit.”
Kendrick sniffed the air and frowned. His tunic was soiled and the evidence of him getting sick from drinking too much was on the floor.
“Dinnae fash yerself, Da, I’ll clean it up before Finn gets here,” Kit said.
Kendrick staggered upstairs pretending there was nothing wrong. But deep inside, he knew how bad it was for them to see him drunk, even if he pretended he didn’t have a problem. Denial was easier than facing the truth.
Kendrick made it to his room, then washed and changed his clothes. He went back downstairs to eat.
Today, Kendrick had promised to help repair the old hay barn so the cattle currently staying in a pen behind Finn’s house would have shelter. The
beasts needed a place to stay warm.
Kendrick spooned porridge into his mouth. It was cold and didnae agree with his upset stomach. Mayhap an oat cake would be a better choice.
The knock at the door pounded through his head. Aye, he was in bad shape today.
Anna walked past him to answer the door. “Good morn, Finn.”
“Good morn, Anna.” He stepped inside.
“Da is breaking his fast.” She motioned for Finn to sit at the table.
“Thank ye, lass.” Finn took a seat across from Kendrick. “’Tis cold today.”
“Aye. Have ye eaten?” Kendrick asked, offering him some porridge.
“It does no’ matter if he hasn’t eaten,” Anna said. “I am done serving food.”
“Och, Anna, where’s yer manners?” Kendrick asked.
Anna ignored him as she bundled Allie in her fur-lined cloak. “I’m going to the MacGregor’s to mend our clothes.” Anna donned her cloak and picked up a basket with neatly folded clothes inside. “I can no’ stand to be in this house any longer.” She grabbed Allie’s hand. “Come on.”
Kendrick’s heart melted as he watched his wee lass look back at him with a sad look.
“What did ye do to deserve that?” Finn asked.
“She snuck out last night to see MacTavish. She’s angry because I caught her.”
“Och, young love.”
“Nay,” Kendrick snapped. “’Tis no’ love.” He grabbed the last oat cake.
“That lad wants to steal Anna’s innocence, nothing more.”
Finn shrugged. “She’s coming of age, Kendrick.”
Whose side was his best friend on? “Ye are the last person I should be having this conversation with.”
“I agree,” Finn said. “Ye need a wife.”
Kendrick paused. A wife? What in the hell was Finn thinking? “I dinnae need another woman in this house. If ye haven’t forgotten, I have two females here already. And that’s enough.”
“Have ye forgotten, I’ve known ye a long time. Yer house was in better hands when Adamina was alive.”
“Ye know nothing about Adamina. I have everything under control.”
Finn shook his head. “We’ve been through a lot together. I consider ye a
brother. I dinnae want to see ye lose everything ye’ve worked so hard to have.”
Kendrick finished the cake, then wiped his mouth. He leaned back in his chair, considering Finn’s words. Both were born into unsettling times in Scotland where young boys were expected to become soldiers. They had saved each other’s lives in numerous battles and seen a great deal of death. If it wasn’t for Finn’s friendship, Kendrick would have never made it through the hard times. Aye, Finn was his brother, and knew him better than anyone.
“Kendrick, ye’re not the same man I used to know,” Finn said. “Take a long look at yerself. Yer house is a mess. Yer children are unmanageable. Ye need a wife. Do it for yer children.”
Kendrick shook his head, hating that Finn had a valid point. Hell, he was a solider. He’d led hundreds of men through battle, so why couldn’t he win back his own house?
Because Adamina was gone.
Kendrick rubbed his chin. “Aye.” Kendrick couldn’t believe what he was about to say. “Ye’re right.”
“I have a plan.”
Kendrick chuckled. Leave it to Finn to have thought it through for him.
“What?” Finn asked, his brows furrowed.
“Ye always have a plan, even off the battlefield.”
“Aye, proper planning prevents poor performance.”
“Och, ye have never performed proper in yer life. ‘Tis why ye dinnae have a wife yerself.” Kendrick walked to the door and grabbed his cloak.
Finn turned in his chair to face Kendrick. “Whether I perform proper or no’ is beside the point. However, if ye must know, the lassies never complain.”
“That’s because they’re too busy vomiting.” They both laughed.
“Ye’ll never let me forget that night, will ye,” Finn asked as he stood and joined Kendrick by the front door.
“Nay, never.” Kendrick donned his cloak and wool gloves.
“How was I supposed to know that the lass couldn’t hold her ale?”
“Aye.” He smirked as he teased Finn. “’Twas the ale.”
Years had passed since that embarrassing night, but as any good friend would do, Kendrick made it his lifelong duty to bust Finn’s ballocks about the lass who’d vomited after sleeping with him.
“For that, me friend, we’re going to the tavern after work to find ye a
wife.” Finn grinned.
Kendrick cleared his throat. Suddenly the jesting wasn’t funny anymore.
Finn was serious.
After a long, cold day, Kendrick and Finn arrived at the tavern.
“I do believe winter will never leave,” Finn complained.
“Aye, ‘tis been an unusually brutal winter.” Kendrick scanned the room.
He’d loathed the thought of finding a wife. He relaxed some as he saw mostly men eating and drinking at the tables. The only women were too old. Perhaps he’d get away with not picking a bride!
They found an empty table and sat down.
“Yer plan is failing.” Kendrick smirked. “Why would ye pick a tavern for me to find a wife?”
“Because the only lass who would have ye would be drunk.”
Kendrick laughed. “Look about, there isna any women to pick from.”
Kendrick leaned back in his chair, gloating in victory. Tonight, he’d drink merrily without another thought of taking a wife. However, the thought of Finn executing his plan bothered him. Perplexed, Kendrick eyed his friend.
“Ye weren’t really going to get a lass drunk and trick her into marrying me, were ye?”
Finn grinned.
“Sometimes ye scare me, Finn.”
“Ye need a wife. If we dinnae find one tonight, we’ll return until we find the perfect one.”
Kendrick blew out a frustrated breath. “This is a waste of time. I’m no’
going to trust a stranger to come into me home.” Kendrick stood. “I’m going home.”
“I’m sorry to have kept ye waiting.”
The sound of the sweet voice made Kendrick’s heart skip a beat. Finn was peering over his shoulder with his mouth agape. “Have ye gone daft, Finn?”
“Nay, he muttered. “I’ve seen an angel.”
Suddenly, Kendrick felt hot all over. “She’s standing behind me, aye?”
Finn nodded.
No woman had that much power over a man. But Kendrick’s body had indeed reacted to a voice. It was time to end Finn’s game. One look at the woman should cure the lust sparking inside him. “I was just…” Leaving?
Alluring blue eyes rendered him speechless. The lass’s long red hair cascaded over her shoulders stopping at her waist. Her hips flared slightly giving her a seductive, womanly figure. Kendrick swallowed hard as he dared another look at her beautiful face. Her cheek bones were high, her lips full and red—
Finn was right, she was an angel.
The lass placed two tankards down on the table. “I’m terribly sorry for the wait. The cold weather has brought in more customers hungry for our stew.” She filled their cups with ale.
Kendrick stole a sniff of her hair. God’s bones, she aroused him in ways he thought were long buried with Adamina.
“Are ye staying?” she asked.
Words escaped him as he stared at her.
“Aye,” Finn said. “He’ll be staying.”
“I’ll be back with yer stew.” The lass smiled and winked at Kendrick before she walked away.
Inside, Kendrick was on fire. His heart, nay his cock, had risen from a long sleep. As he watched her hips sway, he imagined what it would feel like to hold her soft body against his, squeezing her round arse and kissing those sweet lips. Kendrick shook his head. What is wrong with me?
“Ye like her?” Finn smiled.
Kendrick took a long drink. Like wasn’t the right word. He wanted to bed her, now.
“I saw the way she looked at ye.”
“Finn, damn it, I’m no’ taking a wife.”
“She’s perfect,” Finn said with more excitement than Kendrick was comfortable with. “She’s young.”
“Stop it,” Kendrick warned.
“She’s kind.”
Kendrick rolled his eyes.
“And she has a nice arse.”
“Finn, I’m losing patience."
“I have an idea.”
“Nay, no more of yer daft thinking. I’ll eat me stew in peace, then I’m
going home, alone.”
“What if ye hired her to come work for ye?”
“I doubt she can plow fields and herd cattle.”
“No, eejit. As a housemaid.”
“I’m no’ royalty. She has nothing to gain from me.”
“Ye might no’ be royalty, but the king has paid ye generously with land.
Yer estate makes ye a verra wealthy man. So, if ye dinnae want to take a wife, hire her as yer housemaid.” Finn folded his arms across his chest. “I bet she’s good with children.”
Kendrick glared at Finn. Between his friend’s persistence, and Kendrick’s overly eager physical reaction to the redheaded lass, he’d already been defeated.
4
LEANA RUSHED into the kitchen to put some distance between her and the men at her last table. That was too close. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t contain her Baobhan sith urges. She hadn’t even realized she’d been charming those men. Her body came alive as the man with dark eyes visually undressed her. She’d imagined running her fingers through his thick hair, and she especially liked the silver streaks. A sign of an experienced man who knew how to please a woman.
Aged to perfection.
When she’d stood next to him, she could feel his heat and knew better than to look into his eyes, but she’d done it anyway. Desire swirled within his being. She’d sensed it, which intensified her craving for sex and blood.
He called to her unlike anyone before. She didn’t have time to lust over a man. She had a new life and needed to stop thinking like a blood drinker and act more like a human. What would Davina do?
Like ashes, Leana had scattered her lies making everyone believe she was Davina, a true innocent. Why couldn’t she believe it? Mayhap the urges of a blood drinker never went away.
Frustrated, Leana made her way to the hearth where a cauldron hung over the fire. She picked up a ladle and inhaled the aroma of the stew. She wrinkled her nose as the smell of garlic turned her stomach. “How could they enjoy eating this?”
“Davina.”
She continued to fill the bowls.
“I know yer no’ deaf.”
Leana bumped into the cook.
“Lass, I’ve been calling yer name. Is there a reason why ye’re ignoring me?”
Panicked that she’s forgotten to answer to her new name, Leana quickly searched for an excuse. “I’m terribly sorry. I have a lot on me mind.”
“Och, lass, get yer head out of the clouds. We have a full tavern tonight.”
The cook walked back to her table and uncovered two loaves of bread. “The bread is ready.”
“Aye.” Leana hurried over and cut two slices, putting them on a tray with the bowls of stew.
She needed to be more careful:she was Davina now.
Taking a deep breath, Leana walked into the main room, returning to the men sitting at the table. She placed the food in front of them, avoiding their gazes.
One of the men grabbed her arm as she started to go. “Wait, we’d like to talk to ye.”
She turned around. “I can no’. I’m verra busy.”
“Then we shall wait until yer done.”
“Finn, let her go. The lass said she was busy.”
Leana gazed at the man who’d stolen her breath. She recognized the pain in his eyes, the desolation. His sorrow washed over her.
“Excuse me friend,” the dark-haired man said. “He means no harm.”
Filled with grief, Leana couldn’t speak without crying.
Finn offered her a chair. “Sit.”
She did.
“I’m Finn, and this is Kendrick.”
“I’m Davina.”
“’Tis me pleasure.” Finn kissed her hand.
“What do ye want to talk to me about?” Leana asked as she watched the men share a knowing glance.
“Opportunity,” Finn simply stated.
“I have everything I want right here.”
“Do ye have a husband?”
“Finn.” Kendrick rolled his eyes.
Finn seemed to have something on his mind that his friend didn’t want to discuss. She was intrigued enough not to walk away. “No, I dinnae have a husband.”
“’Tis good.” Finn grinned at Kendrick.
“Let me guess.” Leana folded her arms. “One of ye are here to marry me, to offer me a happy home and children. Like I said before, I have everything I want here.”
“Do ye?” Kendrick asked. “How much does the barkeep pay ye? Does he provide living quarters for ye?”
“’Tis none of yer business.”
Why did this man act as if he knew anything about her? His intrigue was quickly fading. “Are ye through insulting me? I must go back to work so I can afford me next meal,” she said sarcastically as she stood.
Kendrick grabbed her hand. “I didnae mean to insult ye. I feel that I can give ye a better chance.”
Leana slowly sat back down. Her hand tingled as he continued to touch her fingers. What was so different about him? Like most men, he was self-assured and arrogant. She met Kendrick’s dark gaze. He withdrew his hand, quickly. “Forgive me. I want ye to know my intentions are good.”
“How so?” she asked.
“Finn thinks I need to hire a housemaid.”
“Ye’d be perfect,” Finn added.
Not knowing if she’d heard right, she questioned him. “A housemaid?”
“Kendrick is a verra wealthy man.”
“Finn,” Kendrick exclaimed.
“He has a large farm and servants. And children who need someone to look after them.”
Kendrick shook his head, obviously opposed to what his friend was saying.
“This man was knighted on the battlefield for commanding an army with unmatched bravery,” Finn continued. “The king favors him above all others.”
Kendrick covered his face with both hands. “Ye dinnae know when to keep yer mouth shut.”
Leana smiled.
“What’s so funny?” Kendrick asked.
“The two of ye.” She laughed. “Finn, ye have no shame. And Kendrick, if ye want to ask me something, just say it.”
Finn sat back in the chair. “I like her.”
“Davina.” Kendrick faced her. “I need someone to clean me house, cook, wash and mend clothes, and tend me children. I’m willing to pay ye generously.”
For a brief moment, something wicked tingled up her spine. She couldn’t deny her attraction for Kendrick, nor miss the way he stared at her.
Evil follows ye.
Aye. She couldn’t remember what had gone wrong at the festival. It left a void in her memories and her heart filled with guilt. The wickedness of the night had called to her through the thinning veil between the fae and humans.