Page 33

Merryn

After they ate a hearty meal, Merryn set her niece down near the other bairns playing in front of the hearth. Sylvi reached her quickly, and Merryn was pleased. After all the wee lass had been through, she was glad to see she could step away and play with the others.

“Come play with us, Shealee.” Sylvi took her by the hand and led her over to the spot where the wee ones played pretend. Sylvi was like a mother to Shealee.

Merryn smiled at their creativity. Sandor had a small wooden sword he could swing nearly in the same rhythm as a warrior. Tora had pretend fabric animals and was playing healer with all of them, setting them on beds before she fixed them.

Gwyneth noticed her husband returning to the hall. “Logan, I think your face should be on all the animals. They’re fixing you like Brenna did.”

Logan drawled, “If any of them try to pinch a nipple on the animals, I’ll know they were peeking in the door.”

Merryn’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.

Brenna was crossing the hall, so she made a quick adjustment and swerved in next to Logan, swatting his shoulder playfully. She leaned down and whispered, “I’ll do it again if you don’t behave around the bairns.”

Logan scowled and crossed his arms, hiding his chest. “Nay, you will not. That hurt like hell, though I’m certain you knew it would. You have a mean streak in you, Brenna Grant.”

“I heard you call me mean before. The truth of it is you are glad to have some peace to consume your broth slowly. You cannot fool me, Logan.”

Logan snorted, giving her a side-eye. “You are a bit witchy sometimes, Brenna.”

“It’s My Lady Ramsay to you.” She chuckled and headed into the healer’s chamber.

Logan called out, “Is it not time for you to go home, Brenna?”

“Not until this issue is settled! I’m here to help Eli when the wounded come in.”

He grumbled a bit, but then Gwyneth said, “She needs to stay, and you know it.”

He sighed. “She does, I fear.”

“In the solar, group,” Connor said, nodding to Logan. “Sela and Astra will watch the bairns.”

Broc took Merryn’s hand and led her into the chamber off the hall.

She whispered, “Are you sure I should be here?”

“Aye, because I know you,” he whispered back, kissing her cheek. “You’ll follow me. You need to know exactly what we’re fighting.”

She couldn’t argue that fact. If she had to sneak out on her own, she’d go to Mingary Castle with Simmy to help her kill that evil man.

Seeing him had set the fire in her veins into a rage unlike previous.

They had to put an end to him. Poor Magni had the most fearful look on his face. Even Kyla had been upset.

Only Lia had acted like nothing unusual was taking place.

But Merryn would prefer to go with Broc, so she was anxious to see what they’d decided their next step would be.

Broc found her a seat toward the back of the solar, then leaned against the wall next to her while the others entered.

Simone, Artan, Thane, Logan, and Alaric, who carried Gwyneth in and set her on a chair near Merryn, Alasdair, John, Maitland, Dyna, and Derric all squeezed into the chamber.

Tristan stuck his head in, and they waved him inside, so he stood against the wall.

Dyna moved to the back of the chamber. “Maitland, you can run this with my sire. I’m too emotional.” She leaned into Derric, who wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

Maitland agreed. “You need to stay back with Eli and Maeve. We need archers on the wall.”

Once they were settled, Connor stood in front.

“I sent a messenger back to tell Alick to send two hundred warriors to wait for us outside of Ardnamurchan. We will end up there, of that much I’m certain.

Broc and Merryn both saw the group get into a large galley ship, one that could travel the distance to Mingary Castle.

They were not heading to Coll in a ship that size.

So we will assume that the group is holding the captives in the castle. Agreed?”

Alasdair said, “I don’t think you should make an assumption like that. I suggest a patrol to determine exactly where they are. Also to see if they have another holding close to the castle. You cannot assume they are there.”

“We can consider that. Anyone else have a suggestion?”

Simone looked at Artan, and he gave her a subtle nod. “Glenna was married to Artan’s brother. She had him killed, but we have not spoken to her since. She has no knowledge of me, and we were not seen on Tiree, so I suggest we go inside the castle, greet Glenna, and see what we can learn.”

Merryn watched as that suggestion set everyone’s minds churning. She glanced up at Broc, wondering what he thought of it, but he smiled and winked at her.

Logan said, “Crafty, Simone. I think you can do it. How will you approach her?”

“I have a couple of thoughts, but what if we promise to find the one who cut off her hand?”

That created a buzz in the room, and Broc turned his attention to the group. “You want to take me to her?”

Merryn watched this man who had stolen her heart so quickly, the suggestion at first not something he was interested in doing.

She could see the fear cross him, even watched as his hand reached up to rub his scar, but then he smiled.

“I like the idea. Bring me right to her, and I’ll cut off the other hand. ”

Logan snorted. “The bitch stabbed me. She’s going to get more than that, Broc. The question is who will exact the revenge. I need to know it’s done right.”

“I’ll do it,” Simone offered.

Logan scratched his beard, then said, “I trust you’ll do it right, daughter. It has to be either you or Kyla.”

Connor added, “I want Kelvan.”

Tristan said, “He killed our sister and our parents. I’d like rights too.”

Dyna said, “If I were going, I’d demand rights.”

Connor finally nodded and said, “Tristan, I’ll honor your rights if you are there. We’ll see who gets to him first.”

“Fair enough.”

Connor thought for a moment, then said, “Alasdair, take a patrol of ten from MacVey’s land to the mainland at dawn.

See what you can uncover. Simone, you and Artan go to the castle from Rankin’s and spy on the fools.

I don’t care when you go, just be quick about it.

I’ll have our guards in place in case of an attack. ”

Dyna stood up and said, “Please find Kelvan and end this. I cannot handle my bairns being stolen again. Fortunately, Tora is strong because of her seer’s ability. Who knows how many nightmares all the bairns will have for many moons to come. Get the bastard!”

Logan said, “And Glenna too.”

“Leave on the morrow. First light,” Connor announced.

Sela knocked on the door and stuck her head inside. “Meat pies, fruit tarts, and baked apples are ready. Let’s relax for a wee bit. Have some wine. Rejoice in the two we have back with us.”

The group made their way out, settling at the tables while the serving lasses brought out the platters for everyone.

Merryn sat with Tristan and Broc, her gaze locking on Shealee as the lass laughed with Tora and Sandor. “They’re so happy.”

Maeve joined them and the group chattered all through the meal. The bairns ate quickly, but then they became restless.

Brenna whispered, “Signs of all they’ve been through. I’ll get them playing a game of hide in the corner. John, will you and Ailith help me?”

Coira jumped up. “Me too!”

Merryn leaned over to whisper to Broc. “Who does that lass belong to? Her golden hair is so pretty, and she is a bit reserved compared to the others.”

Broc explained, “Coira was adopted by Alasdair and Emmalin when she was just a toddler. John is four and ten while the lasses are three and ten. She and John have been as close as any two young ones could be ever since. Emmalin thinks they’ll marry someday.

They look like opposites. John looks like Alasdair and Uncle Connor, while Coira is looking more and more like my grandmama. Her hair turns more golden each year.”

The bairns all gathered in the center while Brenna explained the rules. Maitland held Grant on his lap, but he wiggled and giggled, wanting to participate. Maeve said, “I’ll hold him so he can watch, Maitland. He’s restless too.”

The game went on for a bit, the wee ones hiding in the easy spots. The night nearly finished, John said to the bairns, “I’m hiding, and it will be a difficult place, one you’ll never think of. You have to close your eyes.”

John climbed the stairs to one of the chambers, though Merryn had no idea where.

As soon as John disappeared, Grant stirred, kicking and whining. “What’s wrong, Grant?” Maeve readjusted his outfit that had nearly become undone. But that didn’t appease him.

Merryn said, “He wants John.”

Maitland said, “What?”

“He has watched John’s every move. He adores him, and John went abovestairs.”

Maitland said, “I’ll take him, Maeve. We’ll test this idea of yours, Merryn.”

“He watched him climb the staircase. He’ll wish to do the same.” Merryn looked to Broc, who nodded in agreement.

“I think she’s right. Walk away from the stairs, then walk toward them, Maitland.”

Maitland did as Broc suggested and walked away from the steps, but Grant fussed, his hand reaching for the banister. When Maitland turned around, Grant kicked and giggled. “Wia.”

Wia was the only word he’d voiced yet, and they all thought it meant Lia, but did it?

Broc got up and said to the wee ones, “We’re going to let Grant find John. Would you all please sit for a minute?”

Brenna came out of the kitchens and called to the bairns, “Come finish your baked apples with honey.”

The bairns all ran to her side, but Grant was not interested in that at all.

He wanted to go up the stairs.

By now, everyone in the hall had their eyes on Grant and his interest in John.

A voice called out, “Come find me, Grant.”

Grant kicked again, nearly jumping out of Maitland’s arms. So they headed for the staircase. “Stay hidden, John,” Emmalin called out.

Maitland went up and headed in the wrong direction.

Grant squealed.

Maitland turned around.

Grant giggled.

Maitland went in the wrong chamber.

Grant screamed, crying this time.

Maitland came out of the chamber.

Grant smiled.

Then Maitland stopped to test him. “Which way, Grant?”

Grant’s arm shot out as if he were reaching for something, so Maitland went that way.

Maeve said, “Oh my word. He is special. Dyna? Avelina? What is this? I don’t understand. He knows where John is. How could he possibly know that?”

Avelina came up behind Maeve and squeezed her shoulders. “I don’t know either, but he definitely has a special skill for finding someone.”

Dyna tipped her head, pacing as she watched. “Or is it a special tie to John? I think it’s just John.”

Grant found John, so the lad took the bairn into his arms and carried him down the stairs. Maitland leaned over the balcony railing and shrugged his shoulders. “What do we do with this, Maeve?”

Avelina said, “You love him. That’s all you need to do. Love him with all your soul.”