“Jest becooz ye’re a married man now, Aidan, thet disna mean ye can beat me in the caber toss,” said Storm.
“Me wounds are healing nicely, and I feel strong as an ox today,” said Aidan, winking at Effie.
Renard walked up with Niall at his side, holding on to Aidan’s squirrel.
“The games are starting,” he said. “There are competitors here from at least a dozen clans.”
“Let’s go,” said Ian, then he looked back to Renard and Niall. “Are ye two sure ye can hold on te Reid, Kyle, and also Tawpie throughout the games?”
“Aye,” said Niall. “We have yer wolfhound and wildcat tied on leads, so they willna cause trouble.”
“Guid,” said Onyx, putting his arm around his wife and coming to join them. “There are a lot o’ bairns here today and we dinna want trouble.”
“No one is goin’ anywhere afore we’ve made a toast te the new couple with some o’ me mountain magic,” said old Callum MacKeefe who had come from his pub in Glasgow to join them. He nodded his head, and several clanmembers passed out wooden cups and filled them with the potent whisky.
“Granda,” said Storm, holding his youngest daughter, Heather, in one arm, and a cup of mountain magic in the other, “ye make the first toast.”
“All right,” said Callum. “I toast te Aidan and Effie and thet they will have plenty o’ laddies te drink me mountain magic.”
“I toast te them as well,” said Kyla, holding her cup in the air. “Thet they will have plenty o’ lassies te drink it, too.”
Cheers and laughter went up from the crowd, and everyone drank to the toasts.
“Kyla,” said Ian, downing his whisky and smacking his lips. “Ye ken thet lassies canna really drink this, so dinna even pretend they can.”
“Oh no?” She looked at him and smiled, then raised the cup to her lips.
“Dinna do it,” said Effie, remembering the last time she had tried this herself.
“Dinna worry, Effie,” Kyla assure her. “Since Ian thinks o’ me as one o’ the boys, this shouldna affect me.” She downed it, made a face, and then a smile widened her lips. “Ye see, Ian, ye are no’ the only one thet can drink mountain magic. And if ye’d like te watch me, I am goin’ te win the sheaf toss as well.”
“She surprised me,” said Effie, as the crowd headed over to the games. “I dinna ken how she does it.”
“She is me sister,” said Aidan. “She has been followin’ me and me friends around her entire life and tryin’ te be one o’ the laddies I think.”
“Och, I think it’s much more than thet,” said Effie, watching Ian and Kyla arguing about who was better at everything as they headed toward the games.
“Come on, Aidan,” said Storm, “the caber toss is startin’ soon, and I willna be givin’ up me title.”
* * *
Effie sat to the side, watching the competition all day, glancing at her ring from time to time, hardly able to believe that she was now married. She felt so happy, and like she actually belonged with the MacKeefes, and she was looking forward to getting to know the MacDuffs better as well. She ran a loving hand over the brooch pinned to her shoulder, wishing she would have had the opportunity of knowing her grandmother, Isabel MacDuff. She also wished her mother had still been alive and that she could have been here for her wedding. She knew her mother would have loved Aidan.
Coira sat next to her as well as Wren, and Onyx’s wife Lovelle, and Madoc’s wife, Abbey. Their many children were gathered around, and had even participated in some of the children’s competitions. Heather, Storm’s young daughter sat on Effie’s lap, while Lovelle rocked her crying baby next to her.
“So, you and Aidan will be having a big family?” asked Lovelle.
“I dinna ken what Aidan wants,” she said, “but I would like lots o’ children. But tell me, Lady Lovelle, what is it like te be married te a Madman MacKeefe?”
“You will never stop being surprised,” she said. “Nor will you ever want them to stop acting so crazy. It makes them who they are.”
“I guess ye’re right,” she said, watching as Aidan finished his second throw of the caber toss, and he and Storm were now tied.”
“Wren,” she said. “Do ye think Aidan is goin’ to be takin’ Storm’s title?”
“Aidan may have won lifting the atlas stones, like we all knew he would,” said Wren, “but I don’t think Storm will take it well if he loses his title, so I’m going to have to say no.”
Effie laughed. “The MacKeefes are verra competitive,” she said. “After all, Ian already won the hammer throw and Onyx the sword hold, and the clan beat the MacDonalds in the tug o’ war.”
“Dinna ferget, I won the sheaf toss,” said Kyla, settling herself next to Effie, and taking a child onto her lap as well.
“This is the first time I’ve e’er been te the games,” said Effie. “I didna even ken thet the women were so guid at the competitions.”
“Do ye think Ian saw me win?” Kyla leaned over and whispered this to Effie.
“He noticed all right,” she said with a smile.
“Effie, this one is fer ye,” called out Aidan from across the field, hunkering down and cupping the tapered end of the pole. The object of the competition was to keep it as vertical as possible and toss it end over end without it tilting or falling back toward the competitor. “Watch this caber toss,” he said, and Effie gave the child on her lap to Kyla and stood up to watch, feeling very nervous. She knew how hard Aidan had been practicing to beat Storm, but after what Wren just told her, she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea for him to win the title from Storm since he had held it for the last nine years.
Aidan lifted the caber in one jerky motion, taking a step or two in each direction to balance it. Just as he was about to take a few steps forward to throw it, she heard Renard’s voice from behind her.
“Reid, get back here.”
Aidan’s squirrel darted out from the crowd, being chased by Tawpie and Kyle. The squirrel scurried up Aidan’s leg and to his shoulder as the wolfhound and the wildcat chased circles around him.
“Och, no’ now,” said Aidan, trying to sidestep the animals and still hold the pole upright. Then, to Effie’s horror, the squirrel scampered straight up the pole and settled itself at the top. “Naaaaaaay,” shouted Aidan, and Effie knew it was all over. Aidan was too fond of his little pet to throw the caber end over end when his squirrel was atop it.
The wolfhound growled, the cat hissed, and Aidan lost his footing and the pole tilted too much for him to right it again. Before she knew it, the caber was on the ground without having been thrown, and Reid was back on Aidan’s shoulder.
“And the winner o’ the caber toss, keeping his title fer the tenth year in a row is Storm MacKeefe,” shouted the announcer. The bagpipes started back up and the drums did a roll, signaling the end of the competition.
She looked out to see Onyx and Ian collecting their pets and Aidan clenching his jaw while he offered his congratulations to Storm.
“Let’s go get some haggis, Niall,” said Renard and they stepped around the women.
“Wait a minute,” said Wren, holding out her arm to stop him. “Renard, did you and Niall let the animals loose so your father would win the caber toss again?”
“We dinna ken what ye’re talkin’ aboot,” said Niall, his eyes darting over to Renard nervously.
“That’s right,” Renard added.
“All right, go on,” she said, and they ran away quickly.
“Do ye think they did?” asked Effie.
“Renard has always idolized Storm ever since he found out Storm was his father,” said Wren. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a little foul play was involved here, as Renard has always been a sly one.”
“Well, it did look as if Aidan was goin’ te win,” said Effie.
“Aye, it did,” agreed Wren with a nod of her head.
“It’s probably better thet he didna win,” said Effie. “After all, he already won one ev
ent, the same as his friends.”
“Thet’s right,” said Kyla, having overheard the conversation and coming over to join them. “If Aidan won more events than Ian or Dagger, ye ken me brathair would ne’er let them ferget it.”
“And then they would constantly be challenging each other and payin’ no attention te us,” said Effie.
“No attention at all.” Kyla looked across the field to Ian and crossed her arms over her chest.
“If Storm lost the title, he’d probably be sulking about it for at least a month or two,” said Wren.
“Hmmm,” said Effie, and they all just stared out at the men. Aidan saw them looking at them and headed their way. “I willna tell if ye two willna,” she said quickly before he could hear her.
“Thet’s fine by me,” agreed Kyla.
“Agreed,” said Wren with a smile and three of them clasped hands in front of them sealing the deal.
“What’s goin’ on?” asked Aidan, walking over to her and putting his arm around her. His squirrel chattered from atop his shoulder. “Are ye talkin’ aboot me losin’ the caber toss, me dream angel? Or shall I say, me wife?” He kissed her, and Effie knew how disappointed he felt.
“Nay, we dinna care aboot thet,” she said. “We were jest talkin’ aboot the men in our lives, me husband.” She looked up to him and smiled. “Or mayhap, I should I say, me MadMan MacKeefe – Aidan.”
FROM ELIZABETH ROSE
I hope you enjoyed Aidan and Effie’s story. Through my research, I found rumors that the actual Stone of Destiny may not have been stolen by King Edward I in 1296, but instead switched out for a fake, while the true stone was safe in hiding. Instantly, I knew I had to write this into my story.
While the Stone of Destiny that we all know is red sandstone, it is said the actual one was black basalt and had ancient hieroglyphs on it. After all, if the true stone had been stolen, why didn’t the Scottish demand that the English give it back, or at least try to get it themselves? Research shows the Scots never even made an attempt to save their coronation stone that meant so much to them. So in my eyes . . . it was because they already had the true one somewhere in hiding.
Now available is the last book in the series - Ian – Book 3. And in case you’ve missed the first book of the series it is Onyx – Book 1.
Also, if you’d like to read the stories of Madoc, as well as his sister, Wren, and her husband, Storm, who make guest appearances in this book, you can do so by reading Lord of Illusion and Lady Renegade, part of my Legacy of the Blade Series.
THE LEGACY OF THE BLADE SERIES
Watch book trailer video
Prequel
Lord of the Blade
Lady Renegade
Lord of Illusion
Lady of the Mist
Or if you’d like to read about Onyx’s sisters and their romances, you can do so in the Daughters of the Dagger Series.
DAUGHTERS OF THE DAGGER SERIES
Book Trailer
Prequel
Ruby – Book 1
Sapphire – Book 2
Amber – Book 3
Amethyst – Book 4
Please be sure to visit my website at Elizabethrosenovels.com for more information and to subscribe to my blog in order to receive updates about new releases. You can also read excerpts from any of my novels on my website as well as get sneak peeks at covers of upcoming books. And remember that there are other authors by the same name, but my novels can be identified by the rose on every cover. Be sure to take a look at my new book trailer videos as well. If you’d like to follow me on twitter, my handle is ElizRoseNovels, and my facebook is Elizabeth Rose – Author (don’t forget the dash.)
ABOUT ELIZABETH ROSE
Elizabeth Rose is a bestselling multi-published author of over 50 books. She writes medieval, small town contemporary, western, and paranormal romance. She resides in the suburbs of Chicago, and loves to garden.
THE LADY AND THE FALCONER
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Champion of the Heart is an exciting medieval romance filled with dark secrets and haunted castles, villainous betrayal and heartbreaking tragedy, honor and family loyalty—and a love that conquers all.
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Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan.
Midnight Shadow
When the unjust rules of a neighboring lord terrorize her friends, a Lady dons the mask and cloak of her childhood hero to right the wrongs and save them from oppression. Torn between the woman he longs to trust and the outlaw he has vowed to hang, a Lord vows to find the truth. Will a legendary hero find love in the arms of her enemy?
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Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband’s past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes.
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Christian Thompson is killed but refuses to pass into the afterlife because of his need to shelter his daughter from her cruel mother. He soon discovers there are others like him, other spirits trapped between the world of the living and the dead. He joins the Lost Souls in their struggle against a dark evil that threatens them all.
Lost Souls: Imperfection – Episode 2
Sam and her brother Ben, along with their new friend Christian, have just defied the leader of the Lost Souls. Outcast from their former group, the three of them battle the dark forces of the Changed on their own. With the help of their old friend, Eugene, they investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their Lost Soul brethren. As the investigation deepens, they come to the chilling realization that their nemesis, Scala, has escaped his centuries-old prison with revenge on his twisted mind. A demonic possession leads to grave consequences and the Lost Souls must make a difficult choice between life and death for an innocent victim.
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Sam, Ben and Christian continue to battle the dark forces of the Changed, the inhuman monsters who feed on the energy of their Lost Soul brethren. After receiving surprising news about the whereabouts of Sam and Ben’s sister Cora, they arrive at a friend’s to investigate. As their search deepens, Ben becomes consumed with trying to save Cora, taking a very dangerous path that puts himself and everyone around him in jeopardy. Treachery and deception threaten their group as they discover nothing is as it seems…
Box Set - Knights of Passion (7 Novels) Page 64