Page 28 of Forge of the Highlander’s Destiny

D espite everything that was going on, Cohen was smiling as he stood in front of his villagers who filled the hall. It was good to have this feast even though something dangerous was on his doorstep.

He lifted his tankard in the air as he stood. “Clan Sinclair, ye have been a good and strong people for many years.”

A cheer rose up from the crowd. “Ye have done well,” he continued, “and the rewards for all yer efforts daenae go unnoticed. There has been a good harvest this year, and we have succeeded in many ways, keeping control of our lands, even with the English hangin’ about.”

A low sound of disgust rippled through the crowd at the mention of the traitorous English.

Grinning, he said loudly, “I want to introduce ye to me new bride.” He reached down to a beautifully dressed Arya.

Her hair was braided on each side of her head, and she wore a dress of bright white with golden laces.

She smiled nervously as she looked out over the crowd and stood, putting her hand on his arm.

He looked at her for a few seconds, still unable to believe that she was his wife.

But then he turned back to the crowd and said, “She is the new Lady Sinclair. What a merry gift for the season!” He lifted his tankard, and the crowd cheered again.

Everyone drank to the occasion, and then Cohen and Arya sat down again once Cohen had motioned to the musicians to start the music once more.

Once music filled the great hall, Cohen leaned over to Arya, his hand wrapped about her waist. The arms of the chairs were getting in his way, but he wanted to touch her as much as he could.

They were soon to embark on an errand of danger, and it could cost them their lives.

He wanted to be with her and close to her that night if he was unable to have any other night with her.

She was trembling a little, and he smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

“Ye daenae like to speak in front of people?”

“Nay,” she said, a little pale. “I have never been to such gathering. Me faither never let us. I have never been at somethin’ with so many people in it.

It is amazin’ to me how many people can fit in a room.

Why, I hardly recognize the great hall anymore.

” She breathed out as her eyes wandered about, and Cohen turned her face toward him and kissed her, hoping to distract her from her nervousness.

Thankfully, she kissed him back, draping her hands on the back of his neck, pulling him close.

At least his wife was not afraid to show him her affection.

He hadn’t realized that was what he wanted in a partner, but he liked it.

When he pulled away, he felt a strong surge of desire that made him glad to be hidden behind a table.

He stroked a thumb across her cheek, staring at her kiss-swollen lips. “Ye are perfect, Arya. In nearly every way.”

“Nearly?” she asked teasingly.

“Aye.” He gave her a fake grimace. “Ye dae have a frightenin’ side.”

Arya stared at him for a few seconds before she burst into laughter. “I daenae think anyone has ever told me that before. If only me faither could hear ye now. That I have a frightening side. He wouldnae believe it, I assure ye.”

Cohen’s expression darkened, and he slowly tightened his hold on her, not wanting to think about her father. “I daenae even want to think about the man, Arya. Ye daenae have to ever see him again, Lass. If I have anythin’ to do with it.”

“Well,” she smiled, trailing her hands over his cheek, making the furrow in his brow smooth a little. “I thank ye for that. But ye ken that I will likely see him when we go together to free me sister.”

“Aye, true enough.” His jaw clenched. “But I wish that I could keep ye from that. Ye ken how much I wish I could stop ye from goin’ there.”

“I ken. And I love ye for it. That ye want to keep me safe. But I also love ye for the fact that ye will go with me to free Olivia from her own prison cell. That means so much to me.”

“There is nothin’ else we could dae. As ye say, we cannae leave yer sister to such a terrible fate. Nay woman should have to experience such a thing.” He shuddered. “It wouldnae be right.”

“Thank ye, Cohen.” She kissed him again. “But me faither may have been tellin’ the truth. That he is off on business now, and it is possible we may nae see him. Olivia might easily be freed from the castle since he has taken some of his men with him.”

“I doubt it.” Cohen grimaced. “And it will be cold tomorrow when we travel, ye ken.”

“But ye will keep me warm,” she said with a seductive grin. But when he didn’t reply, she pulled away. “Unless ye daenae want that?”

He grabbed her and pulled her close again. “Aye, nay one will keep ye warm except me.” He leaned close, breathed in her lovely scent, and nipped at her earlobe.

“Remember that we are at a gatherin’, Laird Sinclair,” she said with a laugh.

“Well then, me people will ken that I am in love with me wife.” Is that nae good?” he asked, overcome with desire as he brushed her lips along the skin of her neck.

“Aye,” she said throatily, and he wished nothing more than to take her upstairs and bed her until they were both sated. But he pulled away, knowing that he needed to be present for the festival. He also didn’t want to embarrass Arya in front of her new clanspeople.

“Do ye enjoy the Yuletide, Lass?” he asked, watching as people danced and drank, and the fire crackled merrily with scents of pine and fir in the air.

“Aye, I do, but it is even better now with ye at me side. Nay fear, nay struggle. Only love.”

“Aye,” he answered, pulling her close. “Only love. And then tomorrow, we ride to yer faither’s castle.”

“Tomorrow,” she said, only a little unsteadily, but he could feel the strength in the hold of her hand on his arm. She would not falter, for the woman was a warrior without even knowing it.

It was an early, cold morning, and Arya waited on the battlements to gather her courage for the ride ahead. She was wrapped in furs, and she’d left Cohen sleeping as she crept out early into the dawn. She was ready but afraid.

“I willnae let him control me,” she whispered, fearing seeing her father again. She wanted to prove herself to Cohen and show that she was strong, but it was difficult with what was ahead of her.

“Olivia may be in the dungeon, or she may simply be in her chamber.”

Or she could already be married to Laird Brennan and lost forever.

The thought made her want to throw up over the side of the castle, but she grit her teeth and kept control. She would need it that day. If for no one else, then she had to be strong for Olivia.

“Arya,” she heard Cohen say, and she turned to see him walking up the short steps to the battlements from the doorway, a furrow of concern between the brows of his handsome face.

“Are ye all right? I was afraid when I didnae see ye this mornin’ in bed.

” He came close and wrapped his arms about her.

She melted into his arms, savoring the feel of his warm hands as they slipped under her furs.

“Aye, I am well. Just a little nervous, I think.”

She gave him a tremulous smile, and he kissed her. “I understand. This will be a dangerous venture. But I ken that I cannae convince ye to stay behind.” He lifted a brow, and she shook her head.

“Nay, certainly nae.” She kissed him on the cheek. “We should go soon. Are the men startin’ to prepare?”

“Aye.” He sighed and looked out over the battlements, his arm still around her. “Come. Let us get dressed and ready.”

He reached down and took her hand, kissed it, and then they returned to their chambers to prepare.

In an hour, Arya was clasping her horse’s reins tightly as they rode back toward Muir Castle.

She thought it would be easier than it was.

She had the love of a good man, and she was married now, not merely the plaything of her father.

And yet, dark dread took over her, making her skin tingle, and her breath ragged.

Every so often she looked to Cohen who was riding alongside her, and he gave her a smile and a nod, encouraging her.

They paused for a little to rest and to rest the horses, and then they were off again.

They didn’t have many men with them, but it was enough to fight off surprised guards and get Olivia out before anyone was the wiser.

Her mind wandered for the next few hours until her family castle came into view at the top of the familiar hill. It looked even darker and more menacing than she’d remembered. Time at Sinclair Castle had rubbed her mind free of its terrible memory.

“Ye ready, Lass?” Cohen asked. “Ye are in charge. Tell us what ye would like us to do.” He pulled back on his horse a little to make sure that she was riding in front.

She swallowed and nodded her head. In as confident a voice as she could muster, she said, “We should leave the horses in the woods and make our way up the hill to the back wall. There is a door there.”

“Good.” Cohen didn’t question her, only called to his men to follow her orders and jumped down from his horse to tie him up to a tree. He helped Arya down too, his face wincing a little as he used his arm.

“Ye didnae have to come,” she said, touching him gently. “Ye are still hurt.”

“Nay way in Hell I am lettin’ ye dae this alone, me love.” He leaned down to kiss her, and it was all too brief. Once Olivia was rescued, she hoped she could spend a whole day and night in Cohen’s bed, forgetting about fear and revenge.

“Well then,” she said, nodding to the small group of men that surrounded her. “Let us go.”