Page 58 of My Scarred Laird

Culloden walked up to him, and Callum pulled him in for a hug, “I’m happy for ye brother. Truly. If anyone deserves ta be happy it’s ye.”

Culloden swallowed, “I am. She helps me. Loves me.”

Callum pulled back, “I’m thrilled for ye. She loves ye like Islay loves me. Father was right when he said tha’ we would find our one and only.”

Culloden nodded, “The first time I saw her I kenned.”

Callum nodded as well, “I ken. It was the same for me. Come. Let’s go inside. Our allies are here, and a lot has happened since ye left.”

Culloden followed him into the keep as Islay led Daracha inside.

Callum called for Tavish, Tague, Malcolm and Culloden to follow him up to his solar.

There were a lot of new people that were here for the wedding and Callum didn’t want to have people overhear what he had to say.

As soon as the door was shut, he told Culloden everything that happened with Laird McGavin, Talitha, Gemma and Angus.

Culloden was pissed, and said, “Have ye figured ou’ anything yet?”

Callum shook his head, “We have gone over everythin’ but we canna figure out his cipher.”

Culloden’s lip curled, and Tavish said, “Ye didna tell us this.”

Callum nodded, “I ken. I didna wish ta burden ye with somethin’ ye canna help with.”

Tavish rolled his eyes and Tague said, “Show me the letters.”

Callum got them from his desk and showed them to everyone.

They talked late into the night and Islay helped Daracha find Culloden’s quarters.

Then she too went to bed.

Callum hated that he couldn’t be with her, but they needed to try to figure out everything that they could.

Late into the night, the other Lairds went to bed and Callum lay in his bed, praying that they could figure out what they needed to.

* * *

That night at dinner,Callum sat at his high table with Culloden, Islay and Daracha as well as the Lairds MacGregor, MacKinnon and Alasdair.

He was grateful to them all. Tavish and Tague had made a little progress with the cipher, and the two hadn’t wanted to come to dinner, but they had obligations to be seen.

So, here they sat as dinner went on around them.

Callum stood, and everyone in the hall went silent. Guests and his people alike.

“I wanted ta thank ye all for being here for our wedding. We are pleased ta have each of ye here ta celebrate with us. Eat, drink and thank ye again.”

He sat down, and Culloden smirked at him, making Callum sigh, “I’m tryin’ ta be a different laird. ‘Tis only for Islay. Otherwise, I wouldna be here right now.”

Culloden nodded, “Seeing ye speak ta our people is something else.”

“Have ye chosen to take over the Brodie lands? Ye ken tha’ the king allowed it. I do as well Cull. Ye deserve it for all ye have done for me.”

Culloden ducked his head, “I doona ken. Do ye no’ need me?”

Callum put his hand on his brothers’ shoulder, “I will always need ye Cull. Ye are my twin, and ye have helped me ta become the man I am today. If it werena for ye, I doubt the people would accept me as easily.”