Page 17

Merryn

Merryn had been practicing at the small archery target inside the castle walls when the chaos began. Eli screamed just before Broc came inside the gates on his horse, carrying one of the elders of the clan in front of him.

Broc looked so strong on the massive warhorse, like a fierce warrior, his sword bloody from something.

He never noticed her standing next to a tree in the outskirts of the courtyard.

He didn’t appear to be wounded, but the man next to him looked nearly dead.

Merryn would have loved to go to Broc, but he was too busy to bother with her.

Shealee was playing with an imaginary friend, but then Lia came out of the hall. “Oh, there she is. I was looking for her inside.”

Lia approached Merryn and said, “It would be best if she didn’t move far from me.”

Merryn, confused, asked, “Why do you say that, Lia?”

Lia sat down on a tree stump and smoothed her skirt. “Has anyone told you that I’m a faery, Merryn?”

Merryn nodded, thinking on all that Broc had told her. Broc and the others had all moved inside, so she sat down to chat with the wee lass who spoke like an elder. “He did mention it, but I’m not sure if I believe him. Exactly what is your job as a faery, Lia?”

“I am sent by the universe to protect certain people to help make things happen. I have been sent to protect Shealee from her father. I’m sure you understand why better than I do.

He is on a mission that will not end well.

If you just allow me to stay close by, I can protect her from the terrible man. ”

“How do I know you are telling me the truth?”

Lia leaned over and whispered, “Nara said to tell you that you should listen to me. The same way you listened to her and hid in the secret box Da built for you.”

Merryn gasped. “You can talk with her?” She hadn’t told anyone here about the box; only Tristan knew of it.

“She’s listening to you now.”

Tears fell down Merryn’s cheeks. “Please tell her I miss her, and I’m sorry Tristan and I didn’t stay to bury her and Mama and Papa.”

Lia tipped her head for a moment, then said, “She said Uncle Neil buried them. Do not worry. And she doesn’t mind if Shealee calls you Mama because the two of you were so close.”

Merryn didn’t know what to think of this odd conversation. How she wished her sister were standing in front of her so she could ask her about Broc. Was he a good man? Should she pursue a relationship with him?

Was kissing him the right thing to do?

Lia got up to chase Shealee as she ran after a squirrel, but she turned back to say, “Your sister says aye, aye, and aye.”

Merryn let a few tears fall and said, “I miss you so, Nara. And Mama and Da too.”

A loud cry rent the air, and Magni came flying out toward Lia. Merryn picked up Shealee to bring her back because Magni was sobbing.

Merryn asked, “What is it, Magni?”

“Grandsire. My grandsire is terribly hurt. Someone struck him with their sword and he’s sleeping. I heard them say that he wasn’t moving when they stitched him. Lia, is he dead? Is he going to die?”

“That was your grandsire, Magni? There are so many people here I cannot recall them all.” Merryn could see how terribly upset the wee lad was over the sight of his grandfather.

Lia patted her hand and said, “It’s complicated. Magni, please calm down. Logan is not dead, and he’s not ready to die yet. But he will not be riding a horse for a bit. You may have to sit by his side to keep him company for a few days, but you can do that.”

Magni scowled and rubbed the tears from his eyes. “But now I only have two protectors.”

“You will always have me.”

“And Thane, but he’s going to have a new bairn soon. He’ll have to go back to protect Tamsin and Mora.”

“Not soon. But he will go home, and I’m staying. Would you like to remain here to help your grandsire get better? I’m sure Thane would understand.”

Broc came out of the keep and headed straight for Merryn.

Lia said, “Come with me, Magni. We will watch Shealee so Broc can speak with Merryn. He needs her right now.”

Magni spun around to face Broc. “Is he dead? Is he going to die?” He rubbed at his tears again. “I’m not crying either. Warriors don’t cry.”

Broc said, “Aye, warriors cry sometimes, Magni. Logan is not dead, and I think Eli has stitched him up. He woke up to speak with Gwyneth, so that’s a good sign. But he needs rest now. He may not awaken until the morrow. Do not worry overmuch.”

Lia said, “Come with me, Magni.”

Once the wee ones had gone in the opposite direction, Broc wrapped his arms around Merryn.

Merryn asked, “You are not hurt, Broc?”

He pulled back and looked at his tunic, noticing all the dried blood on it. “I’m fine. I just needed a hug. My thanks for allowing it.”

“Of course. I was worried about you because you look exhausted.”

He took Merryn’s hand and led her over to a bench near the small orchards inside the wall.

“Alaric and I went with Logan so we could verify if K was indeed Kelvan. He is. I will tell you that first. He didn’t say anything about Shealee, but I don’t think he knows you are here with us.

He has a new wife named Glenna who bears a grudge against both Clan Ramsay and Clan Grant for something that happened years ago. It involved my parents.”

“Both of your parents?”

“Aye, they were kept in a dungeon and eventually escaped. Glenna’s grandfather nearly killed my mother, and my grandfather killed him for it.

It was more complicated than that, but Glenna wants my mother, Logan, and me.

If we go to her, probably so she can kill us, then they won’t come after the bairns. ”

Merryn gasped again. “Which bairns?”

“K says he wants the faery.”

“Lia?”

“Aye.”

“Then he’ll come for Shealee. You won’t go, will you? You can’t. Please say you won’t go, Broc.”

He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, one at a time. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re meeting in the chieftains’ solar in a few moments. I wished to chat with you first, let you know what I could.”

“Promise me you’ll stay away, Broc. Please? I couldn’t bear to lose you after losing my sister and my parents.”

“I can only promise I won’t go alone. I honestly don’t know what will be decided. It could be a full-blown battle. That’s how Clan Grant handles those who try to destroy us. And that’s Glenna’s goal. She ultimately wants to destroy both clans.”

Merryn’s heart nearly broke in two. She was just developing feelings for this man, and he could die soon.

Broc’s father came outside. “Broc. We’re meeting and we need you. Sorry, Merryn.”

Broc nodded and stood, pulling Merryn to her feet while his sire returned to the keep. “I’ll look for you at the evening meal.”

She nodded. What else could she do?