“What?” Dyna asked in surprise as her grandsire pushed her away, walked around her, and headed toward the door.
“The heavens exploded?” Derric muttered, looking at his wife. He’d missed something, clearly, though he had to admit he had been quite focused on the state of his poor bollocks. Not that anyone cared.
“When you combined forces, the heavens rewarded you,” Alex said over his shoulder as he stepped through the door. Then he stopped to turn back and look at them. “And the storm stopped as quickly as it started.”
Derric had no idea what the man was talking about.
“You should remember that.” He tipped his head and left, a sudden rainbow appearing in the sky behind him.
Derric and Dyna stared at each other, mouths agape.
Dyna whispered, “What if he’s right?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
They arrived back on Grant land to a parade of escorts, waiting for them on horseback. Not that Dyna was surprised. They’d run into a patrol on the way back and sent some ahead to bring word to the family while Alex sent some back to the cottage to bury Hamish.
Alasdair and Emmalin, Els and Joya, and Alick and Branwen were there, as was Chrissa, who squealed at the sight of them. The path was lined by clan members, including both lairds and Aunt Kyla, her mother and siblings all waving to them as they moved on, though there were tears on many cheeks. Seeing them all waiting, smiles on their faces, filled her with so much emotion that she couldn’t bring herself to ride forward.
Leaning over to her grandsire, who’d recovered enough to ride his own horse, she said in an undertone, “I love you, Grandpapa. And I love Derric, too. Thank you for accepting him into our family.”
The great warrior passed her, but still, she held back, allowing the rest of her family to celebrate his return. Then Derric rode up to greet his sister. He said something softly to her, and Dyna couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with their marriage. She hoped so. But still, she didn’t move.
Dyna’s father greeted Grandsire, but then he rode straight to her. “Your mother will ask me. Why are you holding back?”
She burst into tears, surprised to feel so much emotion so close to the surface. “I love you, Papa, and I love Derric. We handfasted, and I don’t wish for a wedding. I just wish to enjoy our marriage.”
Her father smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “I’m happy for you, daughter. If Derric still had the courage to pursue you after all we did to frighten him away, then he is worthy of being your husband. My thanks for being bold enough to find your grandfather. None of us are ready to lose him yet.”
Grandsire yelled back, “They’re quite entertaining together. You’ll see.”
Dyna blushed a deep shade of red, not willing to admit her grandsire had overheard her talking about her husband’s sacs.
“Do you wish to tell me what he meant by that?”
She shook her head. “Probably best if he tells you, Papa. For now, I wish to enjoy my new husband. My thanks for accepting him. I do love him, Papa, and he loves me.”
“He’d have to be special in order to keep up with you. Your mother and I always said it would take a special man. We both welcome him into Clan Grant.”
“He is. You’ll see.” The cheers and warm wishes carried to them and she could only smile, waving her sire on to share in the celebration.
“I look forward to spending more time with him.” Her father tipped his head to her and went after his father.
She dismounted then, patting her horse as she allowed her tears to flow freely, something she rarely did. The others had started riding back to the castle, but Derric noticed and he stopped his horse. He dismounted and hurried over to her. “Diamond, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry so much.”
She grinned through her tears. “Because I usually don’t cry. I know I did over Claray and Grandsire, but that was the first time in a long time. I’m not crying now.”
He moved over to stand in front of her, brushing his hand across her wet cheek. “I think you need to touch your cheek. Those are distinctly tears.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
Dyna couldn’t control her emotions any longer. She launched herself at her husband and said, “I love you, Derric Corbett. I’m so glad you’re my husband.”
He kissed her tenderly. “I love you, too, Dyna Grant. Will you stay with me forever? I have this fear you’ll run away from me because you’re such a powerful warrior.”
“I’ll not leave you. Do you mind if we live here on Grant land for a while?”
“I’d like that. I need to speak with your sire. I’ll ask if he’d like to have a wedding in front of everyone.”
Her head was already shaking. “Nay, we married right over there.” She pointed off to the clearing. “And I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ll remember it forever. He’ll accept it.”
He arched a brow at her. “And your mother and your siblings?”
“My mother will accept it. She feared I’d never find someone who would put up with my eccentricities, but I did. We’ll stay here until Scotland needs us, and then we’ll go fight, just like we’ve done all along.”
He nuzzled her neck and said, “I’d like that. You need to know I’d never try to change you, Diamond. I love you exactly as you are.”
“What do you mean by that?” She wasn’t sure whether it was a compliment.
“I love you even though you fight better than most men, you’re a wee bit too blunt at times, and you wear men’s clothing. And I love that you have a soft heart.”
She couldn’t help but snort. “I don’t have a soft heart.”
“A wise old man warned me to stay away from you unless I could complete his quest.”
“Grandsire? What exactly was that quest?”
“I had to get to know your soft heart or I couldn’t have your hand in marriage.”
“Grandsire said that?”
“Aye. I’ll admit it took a while.”
“But I don’t have a soft…”
Derric pressed a finger to his lips. “You just cried over a reception for the return of your grandfather, did you not?”
“Nay, ’tis not why I cried,” she replied, squeezing his forearms.
“Then why?”
“Because I love you so much, and I feared the same thing my mother did. I didn’t think I’d ever find a man who’d accept a wife who wears leggings all the time.”
“Well, I’d rather see you differently…”
She playfully slapped his arm, a fierce scowl on her face. “I like my leggings.”
He whispered, “I’d rather see you with them off.”
Epilogue
Seven years later, The Highlands of Scotland
Avelina sat up, awoken by a premonition so strong, she immediately got out of bed, leaving her husband, Drew, to sleep. A buttery gold light shone outside her window, so she donned a robe and padded down to the courtyard, careful not to awaken the others in their keep.
As soon as she stepped outside, the entire area was basked in golden light. A gorgeous woman in a lavender and yellow gown appeared to float down from the sky, surrounded by butterflies. The shock of it lasted only a moment before a smile crossed Avelina’s face. It had been a long, long time since she’d last had such a visitation.
Her brother Logan, who’d arrived the previous day for a visit, came out to stand behind her. “What the hell is that?”
“Don’t you mean who is that? ’Tis Erena, the queen of the fae.”
“Greetings, my dear. And I feel it’s perfect that your brother is here. He will have to help you in this endeavor. He’s been gifted a very long life just so he’d be here to assist you.” Erena held her arms up to the skies and the swarm of butterflies all flapped their wings at the same time.
“What endeavor, Erena?” Avelina asked.
“Evil is in Scotland again. We’d hoped it would take care of itself, but it has not, so we must intervene.”
�
�How am I to help?”
“You must find the sapphire sword. Do you recall where you hid it?”
“Aye.”
“You must take it to Alex Grant in the Highlands. You know of him, correct?”
“Aye. His sister married my dear brother, Quade, God rest his soul.”
“Logan will escort you to Grant land. You will give the sapphire sword to Alex Grant. He will know who he is to give it to, do not worry.”
“But part of the legend of the sapphire sword is that the person who holds it must marry within two months of the date they received it. Must we tell them of this? Is that still the requirement?”
Erena shook her head. “Nay, this one is too young and besides, he’s already found his mate in life. But he’ll protect the weapon, fear not. Alex Grant will tell you all. Godspeed to you. I’ll be watching your journey, so if there is any trouble, you can call upon me.”
With that, she waved her arms and disappeared.
Avelina turned to her brother. “Are you hale enough to go with me?”
“Of course. Think you I would allow you to see Alex Grant without me? And deliver the sword?” Logan snorted. “’Tis only right that the queen of the fae assigned me to escort you.”
***
Alex Grant sat on a stool overlooking his land, taking in the sweet breeze and the smell of pines. The parapets were still his favorite place, although he could no longer come up on his own. The young people helped him get up the many steps.
He closed his eyes, overtired from his long day. “Maddie, is it no’ my time yet?”
Maddie came to him and said, “It won’t be long now, but you have one more task. You must help Logan Ramsay pass the sapphire sword along to its next owner. He and Lina will be along soon.”
“But to whom?”
“You’ll know,” she said, kissing him deeply before she disappeared.
Alex opened his eyes, staring out over his lands. He searched for Maddie, the vision of her so real he swore he could smell her scent.
The clouds overhead began to swirl, bolts of lightning striking different spots in the landscape. A ferocious storm was on its way, so he moved to the door as quickly as he could. The door opened as he approached it. Derric and Dyna stood on the other side, Alick behind them.
“Grandsire, we’ve come to bring you back down,” Alick said. “This storm will be nasty.”
Alick and Derric lifted him together, ready to carry him down the steps but Alex said, “Wait.”
They set him down and he stood, hanging on to their shoulders to support himself in the wind.
“Why do you wish to wait, Grandsire?” Alick asked.
“This storm. It looks the same as one I saw many years ago. The legend of the sapphire sword. She’s right. The time has come. It hasn’t been fifty years yet, but there’s no denying there is evil here.”
Derric shook his head and shot a wary look at Dyna. “Does he know of what he speaks?”
Dyna said, “I’ve heard the legend. Many years ago, an evil spirit found the sword, stole it away, and tried to kill many undeserving people, including Avelina Ramsay. The Queen of the Fae, a woman named Erena, came to Avelina and told her to find it and steal it back. The fae do not want it in the hands of evil.”
“But what is the purpose of the sapphire sword?”
“I don’t know if I can answer that, but Grandsire will tell you that the forces of the Grants and the Ramsays had to protect Avelina to save the sword, supposedly because it can have special powers. Grandpapa always speaks of it being a powerful storm unlike any other. But ’twas so long ago. Does she still hold the sword, Grandsire?”
“Aye, she still has it or knows where ’tis hidden. She married Drew Menzie. It hasn’t been fifty years yet, but if the evil is strong enough, it could take place.”
“But who will she give it to?”
“I think I know.” The old man smiled, tipping his face up to the wind. “’Tis time.”
THE END
Dear Reader,
Thank you for continuing on this journey with the grandbairns of Alexander Grant, my fictitious warrior who fought in the Battle of Largs and also helped Robert the Bruce. His role and the stories of any Grants are products of my mind, but I tried to stay close to history for King Robert’s part in the story, though his words are my own.
I have one more story planned in The Highland Swords, and after that, possibly a Christmas novella, then I’ll be off to continue the stories of the other Grants and Ramsays: Elizabeth, Kenzie, Gillie, Padraig, Jennet, Brigid, and so many more.
Happy reading!
Keira Montclair
www.keiramontclair.com
http://facebook.com/KeiraMontclair/
http://www.pinterest.com/KeiraMontclair/
OTHER NOVELS BY KEIRA MONTCLAIR
THE CLAN GRANT SERIES
#1- RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER-Alex and Maddie
#2- HEALING A HIGHLANDER’S HEART-Brenna and Quade
#3- LOVE LETTERS FROM LARGS-Brodie and Celestina
#4-JOURNEY TO THE HIGHLANDS-Robbie and Caralyn
#5-HIGHLAND SPARKS-Logan and Gwyneth
#6-MY DESPERATE HIGHLANDER-Micheil and Diana
#7-THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE HIGHLANDS-Jennie and Aedan
#8- HIGHLAND HARMONY-Avelina and Drew
THE HIGHLAND CLAN
LOKI-Book One
TORRIAN-Book Two
LILY-Book Three
JAKE-Book Four
ASHLYN-Book Five
MOLLY-Book Six
JAMIE AND GRACIE- Book Seven
SORCHA-Book Eight
KYLA-Book Nine
BETHIA-Book Ten
LOKI’S CHRISTMAS STORY-Book Eleven
THE BAND OF COUSINS
HIGHLAND VENGEANCE
HIGHLAND ABDUCTION
HIGHLAND RETRIBUTION
HIGHLAND LIES
HIGHLAND FORTITUDE
HIGHLAND RESILIENCE
HIGHLAND DEVOTION
HIGHLAND BRAWN
HIGHLAND YULETIDE MAGIC
HIGHLAND SWORDS
THE SCOT’S BETRAYAL
THE SCOT’S SPY
THE SCOT’S PURSUIT
THE SCOT’S QUEST
THE SOULMATE CHRONICLES
#1 TRUSTING A HIGHLANDER
#2 TRUSTING A SCOT
STAND-ALONE BOOKS
THE BANISHED HIGHLANDER
REFORMING THE DUKE-REGENCY
WOLF AND THE WILD SCOTS
FALLING FOR THE CHIEFTAIN-3RD in a collaborative trilogy
THE SUMMERHILL SERIES- CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
#1-ONE SUMMERHILL DAY
#2-A FRESH START FOR TWO
#3-THREE REASONS TO LOVE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keira Montclair is the pen name of an author who lives in South Carolina with her husband. She loves to write fast-paced, emotional romance, especially with children as secondary characters.
When she’s not writing, she loves to spend time with her grandchildren. She’s worked as a high school math teacher, a registered nurse, and an office manager. She loves ballet, mathematics, puzzles, learning anything new, and creating new characters for her readers to fall in love with.
She writes historical romantic suspense. Her bestselling series is a family saga that follows two medieval Scottish clans through four generations and now numbers over thirty books.
Contact her through her website: www.keiramontclair.com
The Scot’s QUEST
Highland Swords Book 4
Published by Keira Montclair
Copyright © 2020 by Keira Montclair
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
This
is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the USA.
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