“I have sensed something about our journey that you should know.”
He walked over to her. “Tell me.”
“We don’t continue on to MacAlpin keep with Roan and Dolca.”
“Why and where do we go?”
She shook her head. “I wish I knew, but I have no answer to either question.”
“I’m glad you told me of this. We’ll see about taking extra provisions with us,” he said. “Do Roan and Dolca make it safely to my home?”
Bliss nodded. “Without a problem.”
“Then it doesn’t appear that it is the soldiers that separate us.”
“I thought the same myself,” she confirmed.
“It is a puzzle,” he admitted, and though he did not like being unable to solve it, at least he could be prepared. Then he realized something. “Could it be that you are summoned to heal someone?”
Her eyes turned wide. “That is a possibility.”
“We will remain aware,” he said, and she nodded in agreement.
He took her in his arms then and kissed her, a gentle kiss that stirred passion nonetheless. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
“Husbands and wives do that . . . share.”
She more and more acknowledged him as her husband, and he had had no problem acknowledging her as his wife. They were one, joined forever, and nothing would separate them.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
She took hold of his hand. “Now I am.”
He kissed her again and gave her hand a squeeze. “Together. Always together.”
Their pace was slow in consideration of Dolca’s age though she seemed to keep up with them well enough. It would be another day’s journey to MacAlpin keep, and while Trey was eager to get home, he knew a delay was inevitable. What Bliss had seen would surely come to pass, and so he would make certain that Roan took the information that he had learned to his brothers. And also let them know he would be home as soon as possible though he once again would advise Roan and also let Dolca know that his marriage to Bliss was not to be discussed. He wanted the privilege of announcing it to his family.
The air grew colder as they continued, and Trey had no doubt flurries would fall before long. Winter was making itself known.
Several hours later, with thick gray skies blocking any sign of the sun, they stopped for rest and sustenance. Trey and Roan took turns scouting the surrounding area, while Bliss and Dolca enjoyed the brief repose. With no signs of soldiers in the area, they felt it safe to continue and cover as much ground as possible before dusk.
By the time they made camp for the night, Trey could not help but wonder if perhaps this was one time Bliss could be wrong. Perhaps they would continue on with Roan and Dolca. He supposed he was hoping they would though in his heart he knew that when Bliss had a vision or sensed something, it would surely come to pass.
And it did, early the next morning, shortly after they had doused their campfire and begun the journey that would see him home soon. A young lad of about ten, skinny, with long brown hair, suddenly stumbled out of the surrounding woods and collapsed not far from them.
Trey was quick to go to him, cradling his limp body in his arms. Bliss was quick to work on healing him though it became apparent all too soon that it was food, drink, and rest he needed.
When they finally roused him, and he was able to speak, his first words were concern for his mother. “My mum needs help.”
“Easy, lad,” Trey urged, as the young boy struggled to stand.
“My mum is alone,” he said, forcing himself to his feet. “The soldiers came and took my da and me, claiming we were to fight for King Kenneth. My mum is close to birthing a babe, and my da helped me to escape so I could get home to help her.”
Bliss rested her hand on the lad’s shoulder. “We will help you.”
The lad collapsed to his knees in tears. “I fear for my mum and da.”
“First, let us see to helping your mum; and then we’ll see what we can do for your da,” Trey said. He was growing angrier at the abuse the common people suffered. And he knew time was growing nearer for the true king to take a stand and claim the throne. He would be glad to see it done so that the people could return to their land and, hopefully, live a peaceful life.
He wished the same for himself. He would fight and do what he must to help the true king, but it was a life with Bliss he wanted the most.
“Your name, lad?” Trey asked.
“Ian.”
With a few more questions asked, Trey had all the information he needed. “Ian,” he said, with a firm hand on the lad’s shoulder, “you’re going to be traveling on with Roan and Dolca to MacAlpin keep while Bliss and I go help your mum and bring her to you.”
Ian got to his feet with a bit of help from Trey. “I’ll be going with you and the lady,” he said adamantly. “My da trusted me to help my mum, and I won’t fail either of them. I go with you.”
Trey couldn’t imagine the exhausted lad’s taking another step, but before he could say anything, Bliss spoke.
“Of course you’ll come with us,” she said. “Your mum will be glad to see that you escaped and returned for her.”
Tears filled his brown eyes. “I need to get home to her and get her someplace safe.”
“We’ll see to that, Ian,” Trey said, “but as for now, you must be hungry. You’ll eat something before we leave.”
Trey’s firm tone left no room for argument, and so, when Dolca placed a comforting arm around Ian’s thin shoulders, he went without protest.
“I’ll check the area to make certain no one has followed him,” Roan said, and was gone.
Trey turned to Bliss. “You’ve seen something regarding the lad?”
“Only that it is necessary for him to go with us.”
Trey reached out and took her hand. “This could prove dangerous. We’re bound to run into soldiers. It would be better if you and the lad continued on with Roan and Dolca and let me see to bringing his mum home.”
“You have birthed a babe?” she asked with a smile.
“She will give birth?”
Bliss nodded and continued smiling. “A beautiful little girl, and her brother will be as protective of her as he is of his mum.”
“As I am of you,” he said, running his finger down along her cheek and lightly over her lips. “I will be glad when we finally have time for us.”
“We need to leave,” Roan said suddenly appearing. “I found fresh tracks to the south, a single one followed by many. They send a scout ahead.”
They didn’t waste any time; they gathered their things though Roan did ask Bliss, “You will be at MacAlpin keep soon?”
“We will be there, though when, I’m not sure.”
“You will make it there, that’s all I need to know,” Roan said, and with that, he and Dolca were gone.
“I’m ready,” Ian announced.
Trey admired the lad’s courage. “Stay close and remain silent. We will need to go around the soldiers to avoid them. If nothing stops us from keeping a good pace, then we should reach your home by nightfall.”
“I’ll keep up,” Ian said, nodding, though Trey wondered if he was trying to convince himself.
They traveled single file, not saying a word. They went off the well-worn path to avoid soldiers, the uneasy terrain making it difficult to keep a steady pace. If Trey traveled alone, he would have covered much more ground in a much shorter time, but, then, who would birth the babe?
Bliss was needed and, according to her, so was Ian, but why? How could a lad of ten help them? Ian’s hand went up to alert the two that he was about to stop, and he did, abruptly. Had he heard footfalls? He couldn’t be sure, and so he listened.
Trey startled with Bliss’s sudden appearance at his side. He hadn’t heard her steps, and why not? Had she trod
so lightly, her steps were undetectable?
“Farmers escaped from the soldiers,” she whispered.
He waited a moment, and, sure enough, two men stumbled out of the woods right in front of them. What surprised Trey was that Ian ran to one.
“Da,” he cried, and fell down on his knees beside the man.
The man, a bit bloody and dirt-ridden, turned wide eyes on Ian before his thick arms reached out and wrapped around the lad.
Bliss had gone to the other man, dropping to her knees and shaking her head. She didn’t hesitate to take hold of his hand, and the man held tightly to her as if he feared letting go.
He struggled to say, “I’m dying.”
Trey went down on one knee next to Bliss and was surprised to see that she didn’t deny the man’s claim.
“Peter,” the man said, and Ian’s da made his way over to the man, with Ian clinging tightly to him, and reached out to take his hand.
“Corwin,” Peter said, squeezing his hand to let him know he was there. “Please, help my wife Rona and my son Darren. See them safe.”
“You have my word,” Peter said with tears in his eyes.
“Tell them both that I—” He gasped for breath, and Bliss closed her eyes and laid a heavy hand on his chest.
Trey saw that it eased the man’s pain though not enough for him to speak.
“I’ll tell them you love them,” Peter finished for him.
A telltale smile caught at Corwin’s lips before he took his last breath.
Ian started crying, and Peter fought back his tears, trying to stay strong for his son, but Trey knew what the lad had to be thinking . . . that could have been his da.
Bliss remained as she was, her hand on Corwin’s chest and her eyes closed. Trey wasn’t sure what she was doing, but he felt that he shouldn’t disturb her, and so he saw to moving Peter and Ian away.
“Tell me what happened,” Trey said, though out of the corner of his eye he kept a watch on his wife in case she was in need of him.
“The group of farmers that the soldiers had taken prisoner decided they would rather die trying to escape than fight for King Kenneth. Many of us made it, spreading out so that the soldiers would have to divide to find us.” He nodded toward Corwin. “He had suffered several beatings by the soldiers, being the most outspoken one, though his strength is what made us all act, especially after Ian’s successful escape. If he could do it, why not the rest of us?”
“You made a brave escape,” Trey said.
“A necessary one though I believe one or two may have been struck down, but most fled. Whether any were recaptured or not, I do not know. I only know that I wanted to find my son.” He wrapped his arm around Ian. “And get home to my wife.”
“We go to your home now to get your wife and bring her to safety,” Trey said.
“We will also need to go get Rona and Darren, Corwin’s family,” Peter said. “I gave my word.”
“And I shall help you keep it,” Trey said.
Bliss joined them. “We must hurry and bury him; the soldiers hunt the woods.”
Peter looked at her a moment, his eyes turning wide when he saw the markings at her wrists. “You’re a—”
“Healer and my wife,” Trey said.
Peter bobbed his head respectfully. “My wife will be grateful for any help you can give her.”
“I’d be pleased to help her,” Bliss said. “Now let me see to your wounds while Trey sees to Corwin.
Trey was again impressed with the lad when he left his da’s side and went straight to work helping Trey with Corwin. He knew it couldn’t be easy for him, but he found the strength anyway and helped Trey lay the man to rest.
Bliss let him know that Peter’s injuries were minor and he was fit to travel. She was concerned with their swift pace, but Trey wasn’t, and he was right. Peter wanted to get home to his wife, and, injured or not, nothing would stop him.
Ian remained close to his da’s side as they continued, their pace a bit swifter than before. Dusk was fast settling, and they were still a distance away, but none suggested they stop and continue in the morning.
With darkness near, Trey made them all travel closer together, and they had no choice but to slow their pace. He had made certain to keep a firm hold of Bliss’s hand. He would not see her separated from him, and so they traveled in pairs, father and son and husband and wife, until finally Peter hurried up ahead of Trey.
“My farm is just over the rise,” he said with relief.
They all were pleased to see smoke pouring from the chimney, and father and son broke into a run.
Bliss squeezed Trey’s hand. “We must hurry.”
He didn’t question why, he ran along with her.
As they all drew near the cottage, a shrieking scream pierced the night air.
Peter and his son stopped dead for a moment, then ran, Peter screaming, “Emma!”
Chapter 23
Bliss laid the freshly scrubbed little girl in her mother’s arms.
Emma cradled her close and reached out and grabbed Bliss by the wrist. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Bliss smiled. “You did all the work and suffered much of the labor while alone.”
“But if you hadn’t arrived when you did, I would not have had the strength to—” Tears choked off her words.
“Fate had other plans,” Bliss said.
Emma smiled and wrapped her arms around her daughter.
“I’m sure that your husband and son are anxious to see you and the babe. I’ll go fetch them and give you some time alone.”
Emma nodded once again, choking back tears.
Bliss left the cottage to find Ian and Peter waiting right outside the door. She smiled and stepped aside, and the two rushed in.
Trey walked over to her. “Are you all right?”
His concern for her above anyone else amazed her, not that he didn’t care how mother and child fared. He simply wanted to know first how she was. It was so very nice to know how important she was to him.
She drifted closer to him, and his arms instinctively wound around her. “I am fine, and mother and daughter are doing well.”
“Well enough to travel soon?” he asked, his hand gently massaging up and down her back.
She rested her head on his chest, welcoming his soothing touch. “Emma is stronger than she knows and will do anything to see her family kept safe. I would suggest that we leave in the morning, find a safe place to camp, and leave Emma and the babe there, and Ian to watch over them while Peter, you, and I go to fetch Corwin’s wife and son.”
“You have it all planned,” he said on a laugh, “though tell me. Is there a reason that you need to go along?”
She glanced up at him. “I don’t want to be away from you.”
His smile faded as he leaned down to kiss her, a gentle touch of the lips before tasting more deeply. And when done, he said, “Nor I you, but I also want to see you kept safe. If it is not necessary for you to accompany us, then I prefer you remain with Emma and the children.”
“I can’t say it is necessary,” she answered truthfully. “I only know that I have the overpowering need to remain with you.”
He kissed her again though lightly this time. “And I am selfish and want you with me, but—”
She stilled his words with her fingers pressed against his lips. “Let us stay together while we can.”
He gently pushed her hand away and frowned. “What do you mean while we can?”
“I don’t know,” she said, feeling as troubled by her words as he did.
He tightened his grip on her. “I will let no one take you from me.”
You can’t stop fate. Her thought sent a chill through her.
“Not even fate,” Trey said, as if he knew her thoughts.
“We stay tog
ether then,” she said, trying to convince herself that there was nothing to worry about when she knew that there was.
“We stay together,” Trey confirmed. “You, Peter, and I will settle Emma and the children safely, then go fetch Rona and her son.”
Bliss smiled, pleased and relieved that he had agreed. She had no idea where this need to remain with him had come from. Could it be possible that they would not stay together, and she was beginning to sense their eventual separation?
She hoped not. It might have been only a short time since she had grown accustomed to him, but it seemed that they had become as familiar as longtime friends, talking, trusting, sharing, and . . . loving.
“How is it that I have fallen so deeply in love with you?” she asked, her eyes going to his.
“I have no answer, for I do not understand myself how easily, willingly, and so unconditionally I have fallen in love with you.”
“I want it to be forever.”
“You obviously worry that it won’t be; therefore, I wonder if you know something and are not telling me.”
“I don’t know, that’s just it,” she said. “I do not know if we are meant to be together forever.”
He grinned and stole a quick kiss before saying, “I know that we are meant to be together forever, so do not worry yourself over it. We have joined as one and will remain so.”
Bliss had to smile; he spoke with such conviction that she could not help but believe his words. “You have a knowing of your own,” she teased.
“Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered, “but I get it from my wife.”
She laughed. “I am not some contagious illness.”
He hugged her close and nuzzled his lips at her neck before whispering in her ear, “You are contagious to my heart, and I’ll have it no other way.”
They kissed then, a hungry, needy kiss that more than stirred their passion.
“When we reach your home, I wish to spend as much time alone in your bedchamber as possible,” she said, her body already deeply aching for him.
“That is a wish I will happily and eagerly grant.”
Peter gave a shout to them from the open door, waving to them to join him and his family.
Wed to a Highland Warrior Page 18