Pledged to a Highlander: Highland Promise Trilogy (Book 1)

by Donna Fletcher

“It may take a while. I’m really cold,” she said with a soft laugh.

  “Don’t worry. I promise you’ll be hot in no time,” he said with a chuckle and kept his promise.

  Chapter 17

  “Those who have returned have settled in well this past week,” Oria said, looking out on the village from the top step of the keep.

  Royden nodded in agreement. “They’re happy to finally be home,”

  “Aye, and don’t we know how that feels,” Oria said with a smile and hugged her husband’s arm, her hand traveling down to take hold of his wrist, no hand there for her to grab.

  He looked down at her hand, amazed that she hadn’t flinched. Not once had she done so since that first time she had learned he’d lost his hand and that had been out of pain for what he had been through. She had accepted what fate had dealt him much easier than he had. But then he hadn’t told her the half of what he’d been through while healing from the awful wound. There had been times he could have sworn his hand was still there. Then there had been times the pain would get almost as bad as the day he’d lost it. It still pained him at times, but he refused to surrender to it or let anyone know.

  “The village is coming together well,” Oria said. “Lona spins a fine wool with her spindle and whorl, and Colina, your warrior Sefton’s wife he brought home with him, has the same skill as well. Though we will need more sheep, the few left will not be enough.”

  “There is a gathering soon for the various clans to sell or trade livestock and such. We’ll get sheep from there and whatever else we need before winter arrives.”

  “You wear a scowl. What’s wrong?” Oria asked.

  “Some of our clan has returned, but far more are absent and I wonder how many are lost to us forever.”

  “And you worry how we will defend ourselves if ever attacked again,” Oria added when he didn’t.

  “You read my thoughts well, wife.”

  “My thoughts are much like yours,” she admitted. “How can we not worry about being prepared for an attack after suffering and losing so much on that horrendous day?”

  “It will take years to rebuild the clan, leaving us vulnerable,” Royden admitted.

  “Not if we acquire more warriors.”

  “And how will we do that?”

  “We do as the mercenaries do, only we invite warriors to join the clan, not capture and force them, who are tired of battle and look for a different life,” Oria explained.

  “How do we trust they aren’t ordered to come to us to infiltrate our clan and then fight against us if the time comes again that we’re attacked?”

  “Why would you and Arran be released if only to be attacked again? And why were we forced to wed as a condition of your release? It would seem someone wants the clan to survive.”

  “I was told a high price was paid for my release and I would think Arran’s as well. I have wondered endlessly over who had sufficient coin and power to do that,” Royden said, the thought having troubled him since he’d first learned about it.

  “You worry you’ll be beholding to someone who will make demands on you?” Oria asked, thinking the same herself.

  “Aye, and what those demands might be is what concerns me,” he said.

  She hugged his arm, then pressed against it. “Right now, I only care that you’re home and we’re together. And together we’ll face whatever comes our way.”

  He bent his head and kissed her brow. “And together we will stay.”

  “Always,” she said with a soft smile.

  He hoped his fear of losing her again abated with time or else he feared he’d never let her go far from his side.

  “Go and find out from Penn and Wilfred their thoughts on seeing if others like them would consider joining the Clan MacKinnon,” she urged.

  The cry of a bird interrupted Royden’s response and his eyes went to the woods. “I have not heard such a clear cry of a gowk in years and it’s a female’s cry, which means a male is near. It’s a reminder that life continues no matter what.”

  “Then go and see if we can improve the quick growth of our clan,” she urged once again and gave him a playful shove.

  “What plans do you have that makes you so eager to be rid of me?” he asked with a feigned scowl, though it was important for him to know so if anything should happen he could get to her quickly.

  “I will be helping in the kitchen garden today,” she informed him. “Now go and see to your duties.” She gave him another playful push. “And make sure you relate to me all that Penn and Wilfred have to say. We can meet later in your solar to talk.” She went to turn away, his response halting her.

  “It won’t be talking we do in my solar,” he said.

  Passion flared so hot in his dark eyes that it more than sparked her own and she wanted to grab his hand and drag him to his solar, but she couldn’t.

  “I will hold you to that, husband,” she said and it took tremendous willpower to turn away from him and hurry off.

  Royden watched her go, surprised that she hadn’t rushed him into the keep and to his solar. Any mention of a possible quick poke and she was ready and willing. He had actually been wondering when her eagerness and frequency to coupling would come to an end and hoping it never would. But it looked like it just had. Or perhaps she thought it more important he not wait to speak with Penn and Wilfred. He’d rather think that than the other, but he couldn’t help but see and sense her eagerness to leave him.

  Oria cringed, as she ran toward the woods, at the thought that she had just rejected her husband’s veiled invitation for a quick poke. Never did she deny him, though it was more like she didn’t deny herself since she so enthusiastically enjoyed coupling with her husband. But she had recognized the call of the female gowk bird for what it was—a call to meet her friend in the woods. And it had to be extremely important if she had taken a chance to come so near the keep.

  With a quick glance around to make sure no one saw her, Oria slipped into a section of woods not far from the kitchen garden. Hasty steps had her to the spot where her friend would be waiting. The area was empty except for the squirrel that stared at Oria when she came to a stop, as if angry with her intrusion, then hurried off.

  Oria waited, not daring to take the chance and call out.

  “I’m here.”

  Oria smiled, not only hearing Purity, but seeing the movement to the side of one of the trees. She was wrapped in a cloak, the hood pulled down so that only her mouth showed. She couldn’t take a chance of revealing herself, letting anyone know she was there. There was still worry that if found she’d be forced to wed someone and her da’s clan and land claimed by another. With her brother Bayne dead, she couldn’t let that happen.

  “You’ve taken an awful chance in coming here,” Oria said.

  “I know, but I needed to speak with you after learning that Royden has returned home and that you and he have wed. I am so happy for you and him. I know how very much you’ve always loved him. All goes well with you both?”

  “It does, though not at first. Royden has changed some.”

  “Haven’t we all?”

  “Aye, we have and it’s to be expected. If it wasn’t for our love remaining strong, things could have turned out differently. Thankfully our love was a bond that no one, not heaven or earth, could break or take from us. I honestly believe our love grew even stronger and more determined than ever to survive the years we were separated.”

  “You’re so very lucky,” Purity said, happy and envious of her friend.

  “Arran will be returning home as well,” Oria said, always remembering how much Purity loved Royden’s brother.

  “That matters little to me now,” Purity said.

  Oria thought differently, hearing the sadness in her friend’s voice and tried to offer what comfort she could. “Your da talked with Royden and asked that Arran wed you when he returns.”

  “A foolish request years ago and a more foolish request now,” Purity said.

&nbs
p; “It is a safe way for you to return home,” Oria offered and intended to make sure Arran saw that as well as soon as he arrived home.

  “If I could, I would make the woods my home for the rest of my life,” Purity said.

  “Please don’t say that. I miss you and—” Oria bit her lip.

  “I miss her too, but she’s the one who must be the most careful,” Purity warned.

  “You think they still search for her?”

  “If we can’t be sure, then we can’t take a chance,” Purity said, wishing things were different.

  “You’re right,” Oria agreed.

  “I don’t have much time, though I wish I did. I wish we could sit and talk without worry of time or being caught, like we once did.” Purity laughed. “Though we did hide away, so I wouldn’t be seen. Some things don’t change.”

  “They will. The three of us will be together again one day,” Oria assured her, praying it would be so.

  “Listen, for I must leave soon. When it was learned that Royden was home and leading the clan, those who were part of the Clan MacKinnon decided to return home with his da. They have given their word not to betray my location.”

  “How many are left with you?” Oria asked, worried her friend would be left alone.

  “Worry not about me, Oria. I am content where I am. See to those returning to you and there is one other thing you should be aware of—Wren is returning with Parlan. He refused to leave without her and, unselfish as she is, refused to let him leave his family for her. I don’t know how she’ll be received so watch over her. She has been good to us.”

  “I will and I’m sure after everyone gets to know her they’ll see what a good and gentle woman she is,” Oria reassured her.

  “I must go,” Purity said.

  You didn’t tell me, how is King?” Oria asked, curious about the cat that had stolen Purity’s heart and wanting to linger a bit longer with her friend.

  Purity laughed lightly. “His name is most appropriate since he rules all the other animals and humans as well. Take care, Oria. I do miss you.”

  “And I you, my friend, and I will send word when Arran returns home.”

  “It matters little. He can do nothing to help me.”

  Oria watched, tears stinging her eyes, as Purity swiftly disappeared deeper into the woods. She had rejoiced when she had discovered that Purity had survived, though it had been a full year before she had managed to get in touch with Oria. It was a short, wiry fellow who had appeared too far into his cups to even stand who had delivered the first message from her, garbled as it was. She barely understood it, though later realized it was in case anyone heard, they’d make no sense of it. It took another year after that for Oria to finally meet with Purity in the woods, more often near Learmonth since none of the warriors paid her much mind there.

  It had been through Purity that Oria had found out that Raven had survived, though to keep her safe, Oria and Purity knew only that she was alive. Nothing more was told to them for their own safety.

  Oria continued to pray as she had from when it had all started that everyone would one day be reunited and all would be healed. Her familiar prayer fell softly from her lips as she walked home through the woods.

  “I’ll talk with you both,” Royden ordered when he reached Penn and Wilfred talking outside of the cottage that was now home to Lona and Wilfred.

  He couldn’t help but think of the two men as the enemy, especially when he saw them together like this talking or more whispering, their heads bent close. This is what he feared if more of their kind joined the clan. If they remained loyal to whoever they once had pledged allegiance to, then how could he ever trust them to defend the Clan MacKinnon.

  Royden had passed Angus just before reaching the two men and he saw that Angus had followed him and stood to the side, his presence letting Royden know he was there if needed. That was clan loyalty, being there to help without being asked.

  “What can we do for you, sir?” Penn asked.

  It wasn’t lost on Royden that Wilfred kept to Penn’s side, but more behind him as if Penn was a shield that protected him.

  “You both tell me you love your wives and want to stay here and make this your home.”

  Both men nodded, each voicing the same, “Aye. Aye.”

  “Had you wanted that before you met your wives and fell in love?” Royden asked and kept a firm eye on them both, waiting to catch the slightest reaction that could contradict their responses.

  Wilfred surprised Royden by speaking up first.

  “I ached for a more peaceful life before I met Lona. Falling in love with her made me want it even more.”

  “I was glad to be left here. Constant battle wears on you, tormenting your dreams, filling your head with godless thoughts until you don’t know who you are,” Penn said.

  “Aye,” Angus agreed, walking over and joining the discussion. “Sometimes I don’t want to go to sleep at night, not wanting to be held captive by my dreams.”

  To hear others say what Royden himself felt made him realize how many more must feel the same. Five years had taken a toll on him, leaving him scarred in so many ways and thinking that some of those scars would never heal. But being home now made him think it just might be possible to heal those scars he had believed permanent.

  “Do you think there are others who feel as you do?” Royden asked.

  Penn nodded right away. “I talked to many a warrior who wished an end to the battles.”

  “Penn’s right,” Wilfred said. “Many told me I was lucky to be an arrow maker and away from the battlefield.”

  “Then there are those men who live to battle. They can’t get enough of it. It’s like a hunger that can’t be satisfied,” Penn said. “Couple them with the greed of powerful men and wars will never end.”

  “How do I reach these men who no longer wish to battle so I may offer them a home—a family?” Royden asked.

  Penn and Wilfred exchanged a quick glance of surprise and possibly a hint of suspicion.

  Royden crossed his arms over his chest and waited for one to answer.

  “The men owe him,” Penn explained. “I don’t believe he’d let them go.”

  “So this man, the one you call Beast, didn’t let either of you go. You are still beholding to him?” Royden asked.

  They both nodded.

  “You don’t walk away from him without permission,” “Wilfred said.

  Angus spoke up, his anger flaring. “How can men remain loyal to him when he takes them captive and forces them to fight for him?”

  “He doesn’t force most of them. They come to him,” Penn said.

  Angus pounded his chest. “He forced us.”

  “Aye, Penn said. “He took a good portion of men from this area, but I don’t know the reason why. It was strange to see and strange that he’s left a hold on this area, which can only mean his job here is not finished.”

  “What do you mean?” Royden asked.

  “He’s paid to do a job. Once it is done, he leaves,” Wilfred said.

  “So his job isn’t done here,” Royden said. “I suppose neither of you know who paid him to attack this area or why?”

  Both men shook their heads.

  “The warriors are never told that information,” Penn said. “But it is surprising that this has gone on so long here. He is usually swift in seeing a job over and done.”

  “Which means something has prevented him from finishing,” Royden said.

  “Someone must want this land bad and have an overflowing coffer to keep this going for five years,” Angus said and rubbed his chin. “Unless…”

  Penn and Wilfred turned scrunched brows on Angus.

  But it was Royden who satisfied their curiosity. “Unless it’s revenge someone is after and if so until he gets it, he’ll never stop.”

  Royden headed toward the kitchen garden to see his wife. He wasn’t sure what to make of his discussion with Penn and Wilfred. Was it possible this whole thing had
been brought about because of revenge?

  Penn and Wilfred had both made it clear that they didn’t want to reach out to other warriors about joining the Clan MacKinnon for fear of what trouble it might bring them. They were too afraid of losing what they had and it went without saying that Royden couldn’t offer them protection against this man his warriors called the Beast.

  He thought it might be for the best, since he was doubtful that warriors who’d been loyal to this man would ever go against him in battle.

  Royden rubbed the back of his neck, an ache having settled there. He had thought himself free of battle once he was freed, but he was in the middle of an even bigger battle. A battle against an unseen and unknown enemy who appeared to want not only the majority of the land in this area, but complete control over it as well.

  He continued to rub his neck. He’d discuss it with his wife, though not before he gave her a good poke that would leave them both well satisfied. He smiled at the thought as he rounded the corner of the keep.

  It vanished in a flash when he didn’t see his wife in the garden.

  He was about to hurry to the kitchen and see if she was in there. Actually, he was praying she was there, since fear had gripped him when he hadn’t seen her where she’d said she’d be. But just before he did, he caught a rustle of movement coming from the woods.

  Could someone have taken his wife? Fear slammed into him, stealing his breath but he ran anyway, straight toward the sound. Before he reached it, his wife appeared, her eyes going wide like an animal’s eyes when caught in the sights of a hunter.

  She appeared frozen in place, as if shocked to see him, and he rushed to her. His hand closed around her arm like a shackle, gripping her tight, and he dragged her out of the woods.

  Oria winced from her husband’s strong grip and tripped a few times, but had no fear of falling since he held her firmly.

  Royden swung her around to face him once out of the woods almost slamming her against him, but stopped just shy of her hitting his hard chest.

  His dark eyes burned with fury and there was an angry growl to his tone. “What were you doing in the woods? Are you that foolish? Anyone could have grabbed you and abducted you. Never! Ever! Do that again!” he warned, not realizing he was shaking her.