Page 10

Magni

Lia came down the stairs at Castle MacQuarie and waved at Magni. “Come, brother. I’d like you to listen in on this conversation.”

Magni glanced around the great hall at Tamsin, then at Thane’s parents.

Alana was still sound asleep. Early morn by the hearth was his favorite place to be because he could smell the bread baking in the kitchen (his second favorite place to be).

He loved a nice line of honey running across the middle of his bread, especially if it dripped over his fingers.

And if it was still warm, it was even better.

“Why, Lia? What is it?” He didn’t like this.

He understood that his sister was different.

After all, she wasn’t really his sister since he’d found her under a frond and all; she grew into a girl only once he’d turned his head.

And he’d learned that Lia had a way of sticking near people who were about to be in trouble.

“Not me, is it?” Magni asked, his heart thumping in his chest at the memory of those mean men in the kirk who locked them up.

“What do you mean, not you?” Lia stopped, smoothing her green skirt.

“You always pick someone to protect, but that means they’ll be in trouble. I don’t want to be in trouble again.” He stood up, scowling at his sister. “I love you, but you shouldn’t have to protect me again.”

Lia smiled and tipped her head, then clapped her hands. “Come with me and you’ll see.”

She knocked on the door to Thane’s solar where he often sat to count his coin before they made a trip to Craignure for supplies.

“Come in,” he said.

“Master Thane, could we speak for a moment, if you please? I have a pressing matter I must discuss with you.”

Mora came flying down the staircase. “Nay, please say you are not leaving again, Lia. Please stay. I like it when you and Magni are here with us, especially now that Tamsin is carrying a bairn. I wish for you to see the bairn and protect it. Naught can happen to a wee bairn. If you …”

Lia reached up to take Mora’s hands in hers. “The bairn will not be born for a few moons yet. Do not worry yourself about him.”

“Him! Did you hear that, Thane? Lia said him . And she was right about Grant. Will the bairn be a laddie? It would be sweet for Thane to have a laddie just like him. But I would love a lad or a lass equally. Is it a laddie? Or a beautiful lass?”

Tamsin moved over to the group gathering near the solar. She rubbed the growing mound of her belly and looked directly at Lia. “Tell us, please. Laddie or lassie, Lia?”

Lia set her hand on Tamsin’s belly and uttered a quick chant before nodding subtly at Tamsin, but she didn’t dwell on it. “He’s fine and happy in your warm belly, Tamsin. It’s exactly where he belongs right now. I must speak with Thane.”

Thane came out and said, “Come. We’ll sit by the fire, Lia. Who is it this time?”

Magni threw his arms up over his head. “I knew there’s to be more trouble. Not me. Please, not me.”

Lia stopped and looked up at him. “Magni, you are my dearest brother. You know I would not allow anything to happen to you, do you not?”

Magni thought of how he felt before he’d found Lia under the frond.

He’d been alone in the forest after running away from the mean men who’d stolen him from his parents on Tiree.

And the mean old men had told him that his parents were dead after they threw him in the boat and landed on Mull.

If his parents were still alive, he would have tried to return to Tiree, but they’d all laughed about killing them.

Fools had laughed so hard that Magni snuck away, telling them he had to whiz in the bushes and they waved him on.

And he ran and ran and ran so far that when he stopped, he couldn’t think right, didn’t know which way to go until he looked down and noticed the faery under the leaf staring at him.

Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, and he nodded. “I know you will always save me, Lia. You love me, do you not?”

“With all my heart, brother. You remember what I told you in the forest?”

Magni had looked behind him to see if he was being followed, and when he turned back, Lia had transformed into a wee lass. And he’d hugged her right away. “Save me, please. They’re coming for me.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here. I promise to protect you until you no longer need me, Magni. Just tell them I’m your sister, and I’ll be by your side whenever you feel you are in danger.”

Magni nodded to Lia at the fond memory. “You said you’d be by my side whenever I needed you. And you promised to protect me.”

“And have I kept my promise?”

Magni swiped the tears away and nodded.

“Then do not worry. But I do have someone new to meet. Thane, will you please arrange for an escort to Duart Castle?”

Magni shouted, “I’m coming too.”

Thane arched a brow at him. “Are you sure you wish to go with us?”

Magni didn’t tell him what he really thought. He had to stay near his sister because she was his protector. He’d never feel safe if she wasn’t nearby. It had been difficult for him when she’d stayed by baby Grant’s side. Magni had stayed in the same castle, but he had to know she was not far away.

But he’d never tell Thane so because he’d think he was not strong enough. “I think I told Grandsire I’d visit soon. As long as you are going, I should go with you. Grandda likes to see me once a moon. Did he not tell you that?”

Thane smiled and nodded. “I think Logan did say something like that. Of course, you may join us, Magni.”

“Lia, is it going to be someone you have to stay with all the time like Grant?” He stared at his sister, his face covered with worry.

“Nay, this is someone I will protect, but wee Grant was extra special. He was so tiny, Magni.” She smiled and patted his shoulder. “I’ll still have time for you.”

“Good,” he said, wishing he hadn’t said it. It was true he liked to see Lia often, but he didn’t wish to appear selfish. He loved his sister. That was surely all it was.

Tamsin said, “I’m going to stay here with your parents, Thane. My belly is not up for a long journey.”

Thane moved over and wrapped his arms around his wife. “I know. They say the sickness will go away soon. I’ll leave Artan and the Grant guards here.”

“Nay, you must take some. Please, Thane,” Mora said.

“Aye, please take some, Thane,” Magni begged, staring up at the man who reminded him of his father. “We should have some to protect us in case …”

“Of course.” Thane bent down to look the boy in the eye and whispered, “I won’t let anything happen to you either, Magni. You have three protectors—Lia, Grandsire, and me.”

Magni threw his arms around the large chieftain and buried his face in Thane’s waist.

He wouldn’t let anyone see his tears.