Page 26

Simone

Simone lay on the white sands of the northern side of Iona when she heard the sound that was as sweet as a full colony of puffins in spring.

“Greetings, husband dearest,” she called out to him, donning her tunic and running over to where he’d come across the isle. “I was not expecting you. Is something wrong?”

Artan grabbed Simone by the waist and tugged her close, kissing her soundly, something she needed as assurance that he was all right. But then he set her aside and took a step back.

Something she didn’t like.

“What is it?”

“Your sire was struck down by …”

“What? You should have told me that first!”

“Now hold on, love of mine. He’s hale. Brenna and Micheil are also here. He’s holding up so far. But two days after his attack, another group was taken captive, and I thought you should know. Shealee is one of them.”

“And Merryn too?”

“Nay, Merryn is fine. Tristan is at Duart Castle. And by the way, Merryn has met someone. Broc MacNicol? Know you of him?”

“Aye. He would be Kyla’s son. He’ll protect her, fear not. And he’ll go after the bastards who kidnapped the wee ones.” Simone gathered her things as quickly as she could, leading the way back to their small hut on the other end of the isle. “Keep talking. I’m listening. How did you hear of this?”

“Thane sent one of the guards back as soon as Logan was injured, so I was on my way, but then a second messenger came along to let us know that the bairns were kidnapped again.”

“I’ve got to find this bastard myself. Artan, I’m going after them. I will not allow the man who killed his own wife to kill their daughter.”

They arrived at the small hut the two of them built with their own hands, a two-chamber cottage with a thatched roof.

Simone loved to decorate their home with the dried flowers she picked all over the isle.

She also enjoyed traveling to Staffa to explore the rock formations and caves, one of their favorite places to swim in the summer.

But she had to focus. She grabbed a sack and threw in an extra tunic and leggings, the ones made by her beloved mother. “I need lots of arrows.” Then she tossed in a few other small items, finally pulling the ties closed.

“How can I help? Anything I can do for you?”

“Nay. Just tell me everything. Where are the bairns? Do they know yet?”

“Tiree, according to your aunt Lina.”

“She would know more than anyone. Hellfire, how can I get to Tiree from here?”

“I made arrangements for one of our ships on Ulva to come for you, then you can meet the group at MacQuarie land. They’re sure to send a group there soon. I would guess they will also send another group to Rankin land because Kelvan is at Kilchoan.”

“What the hell is wrong with all these men who continue to steal bairns away?”

“Coin, my sweet. Greed, plain and simple. You know it. Are you packed?”

“Aye. Let me stand under the waterfall, then I’ll dress and be ready. I need to get the sand out of my hair.” She tossed her clothing in a basket, then grabbed a towel and a sliver of soap.

He followed her out to the waterfall, watching the curves of her bare body wiggle across the landscape. “You’re giving me my favorite view, lass of mine.” He smiled. “You have the finest arse I’ve ever seen. If not for all that is happening, you would not be getting under the water now.”

That was one of the things she loved about Artan.

True, their love was very passionate, but he knew when to tone it down.

He knew what was most important, which was a wonder, considering his background and where he came from.

Working with the Garvies still gave him nightmares.

She quickly rinsed the sand off her body because it had the worst way of chafing when she traveled by foot.

Once dressed, she asked, “What is it?”

“Sit for a minute, love. There’s more.”

She sat down and Artan crossed his arms. “They stole Tora, Dyna’s daughter. And Magni and Lia along with Shealee.”

“Lia would go, anyway. I do absolutely believe that lass is a faery and a guardian angel of those bairns, especially Magni. Who is she protecting now? I don’t believe it’s Grant anymore.”

“She went to Duart Castle for Shealee. We knew trouble was coming. But …”

“There’s more?” What the hell else could be happening? The Granthams had dealt with so much of late. Someone needed to put a stop to this evil bastard. It was time for her to act. She recalled exactly how cruel the evil souls could be, especially to children.

“They stole an adult away too.”

“Who?”

“Kyla.”

“Kyla? Oh my, Connor will be wild. And so will Finlay. It’s a good thing you came for me.” Simone got up to head back to the cottage, but Artan didn’t move. “What?”

He just stared at her.

“What is it? What the hell could be worse? Is my mother still alive? Please tell me she hasn’t been hurt.”

“Your mother is fine. It’s the partner. Kelvan has remarried.”

“To whom?”

Artan paled, tears misting his gaze.

“Artan?” She took a step forward, her fingers brushing his cheek.

“My sister. My brother’s evil wife. Glenna of Buchan. And she’s plotted revenge against your father, Kyla, and Finlay for a long time. This is going to be bad, Simmy.”

“Don’t say that!” Simone wished to pull her hair out of her head and then sew them back in. “Why would you say such a thing, Artan?”

He closed his eyes and then stared up at the clouds overhead. “Because Glenna is the reason I left the mainland.”

Confused, Simone waited for more. She knew his heritage, but he rarely spoke about his family, claiming he left because he didn’t like their way of life. What exactly were they capable of?

“Glenna is the evilest soul I’ve ever met. She’ll be hard to stop.”

Simone narrowed her gaze because she had a sudden understanding why this man who she adored was acting so strangely. “Glenna is the one who hurt my father, isn’t she?”

“Aye. If not for Broc, Logan would be dead. It was a goal of hers. She swore that before she died, she would see Logan and Kyla dead.”

Simone set her hands on her hips and said, “Artan, I love you dearly, but your sister is a dead woman. I will kill her with my bare hands if I must.” She had a fury inside her that would not be quenched until there was an arrow that pierced both sides of the bitch’s body and a dagger in each eye.

“Do you wish to go with me or stay here? I’ll not tell you if you don’t wish to know. ”

“I’ll go with you. If I must, I’ll put the sword in her chest myself. I know how she is. I’ll not hold it against you, Simone.”

She stepped closer and kissed a tear from his cheek. “I’m sorry, but I will do what I must.”

Artan sighed and said, “We must move. You cannot waste time when it comes to Glenna.”

“I’m ready.”

She was more than ready. A rage drove her forward unlike any she’d ever experienced before.

Glenna was about to meet her brother’s wife.

At the opposite end of her deadliest arrow.