by Olivia Rae
“Ye should not be out in this.” Thomas grabbed a cloth from one of the stalls and handed it to Marcas. “Here. Wipe your face. When the rain stops return to the tower, Gran and Ma Audrey will be looking for your comfort.”
Marcas accepted the cloth, but held his gaze on Thomas. “But where are you goin, brother?”
Thomas let out a heavy sigh and washed a hand over his face. “I cannae stay here anymore.”
“Why? Da is dead and you be laird now. You are the head of the family now.” Such bold words from a lad who but a few months ago played with wooden swords and stole Cook’s chickens, wishing to save their miserable necks.
“Listen to me. I am not laird, you are. ’Tis your birthright.” Thomas looked away and readied his mount, “Gran and Ma Audrey can explain. Look after them and Isla too.”
“I dinnae understand. You are the eldest. You are Warring Tower’s laird.” Marcas reached out and grabbed the horse’s reigns. “Da was teachin’ and trainin’ you to be laird. You cannae be runnin’ away.”
The worry in Marcas’s eyes, made Thomas pause. Being responsible for your family, moss-troopers, and tenants would frighten even the strongest of men let alone a spindly lad. Thomas placed his hand on Marcas’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I have no claim on this land, but you do. You will be a fine laird. If you be needing help, ask Rory Maxwell, he dotes on you like a grandda.”
“But you are my brother. I dinnae want you to go.”
Tears rolled down Marcas’s cheeks and ripped opened Thomas’s heart. He pulled Marcas into a tight embrace. “Aye. Remember that. We will always be brothers.” Thomas drank in the field and stream scent that was his younger sibling, tucking it into his memory.
Releasing his brother, Thomas took his horse to the courtyard, knowing one glance back at Marcas would bring him to his knees.
Once Thomas mounted his horse, another flash of lightening filled the grey sky. The beast reared up in fright and threatened to unseat him. Swiftly, he gained control and headed for the gate. Before crossing the threshold, he glanced back. Heavy drops of rain pelted Marcas’s face, covering his tears. He raised up a weak hand in farewell.
“Brother, brother,” Marcas shouted.
Thomas’s gut wrenched, but he could not offer up one comforting word, not without breaking down himself. He yanked his mount around and took off down the rutted path as if all that was unholy waited for him out in the storm.
About the Author
Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.
Olivia is the winner of the Angel Award, Book Buyer Best Award, Golden Quill Award, New England Readers’ Choice Award, Southern Magic Contest, and the American Fiction Award. She is an Illumination Award Gold medalist and she has been a finalist in many other contests such as the National Readers’ Choice Awards, and the National Romance Fiction Awards. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.
Contact Olivia at
[email protected]
For news and sneak peeks of upcoming novels visit:
www.oliviaraebooks.com
Books by Olivia Rae
The Sword and the Cross Chronicles
Salvation
Revelation
Redemption
Resurrection
Adoration
Devotion
Contemporary Inspirational
Joshua’s Prayer
Secrets of the Queens
A Life Renewed
A Life Redeemed
Coming Soon!
A Life Reclaimed
(Book 3, Secrets of the Queens)
Want notice of upcoming books?
Join my mailing list.
www.oliviaraebooks.com
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/oliviaraeauthor
twitter.com/oliviaraebooks
Instagram.com/oliviaraebooks