Page 14 of Wolf Heir (Highland Wolves of Old #3)

Coinneach held Aisling’s hand as they made their way through the inner bailey to the castle. “I will see you in the morning to break our fast.”

“I canna wait to visit with you more often while you’re working at the castle. What are you going to do about Morag?” Aisling sounded fearful that he would try to reveal the truth about what she had done.

“Naught. If she causes you and your mother trouble, I’ll expose her for what she truly stands for.”

“You will be her biggest target if she learns who you are. You have to be careful.”

“I will be.” But he worried more about Aisling and her mother and was glad he would be closer to them to help keep them safe.

When they reached the castle doors, tall and imposing, made of dark, weathered wood, they hugged and shared a kiss, their lips meeting in a soft and tender dance.

The taste of each other's breath mingled with the sweetness of honeyed mead.

Coinneach kissed her with an intensity that made his heart and hers race.

She kissed him back with the same passion.

He ran his hands through her hair, flowing softly in the breeze, loving the feel of the soft, silky strands.

Their bodies pressed against each other in a comforting warmth.

He suspected that the guards posted on the wall walk were watching them, the most interesting thing that had happened while they were on duty this evening.

Drustan intervened, smiled at Aisling, and shook his head. “See you in the morning, Coinneach.”

“Aye, see you then.”

Following a final kiss goodbye with Aisling, Coinneach waved and made his way back to the croft. Nearly all his belongings were already packed in bags beside his pallet. As promised, Tamhas had taken care of packing Coinneach's items and was smiling at him from his own bed.

Coinneach laughed. “I knew you were serious.”

“Aye. I will miss you though.” Tamhas sounded sincere about it.

“I will miss you too, brother.”

“You willna be a stranger,” his mother said.

“Nay, you know me. I will be back.”

“You will find what you are looking for,” his da said, and then they retired to bed.

Coinneach pondered how he wanted to deal with Morag. Alternatively, his focus was on starting a new job, mastering as many combat skills as possible, and defending their clan from foes, provided Morag didn't harm Blair and Aisling.

That was the crux of the matter.

Being accepted as the chief's son wasn't a priority for him, as he doubted Blair's word would hold much weight after so long.

He felt no particular connection to the chief, viewing him merely as a just and confident leader, not a father figure.

To him, Magnus was his true father, the one who had imparted all his knowledge and taken care of him from the time he was born.

Coinneach was concerned that if Hamish believed Blair had abandoned him in the wilderness to endure any fate, the chief might decide to execute her or exile her from the pack. Coinneach didn’t want that to happen.

He wished for Aisling’s mother to understand that he held no grudges. However, if the chief were to banish Blair or do something worse, Aisling would be heartbroken, and Coinneach would have to consider other options.

As Aisling made her way to the women's quarters to settle in for the night, Gormelia, accompanied by two friends, confronted her, poking her finger at her chest. "You think you're so important now that you're seeing Coinneach because he defeated our champion."

"Not at all. Coinneach is the exceptional one. Don't worry, I'll be serving at the women's table tomorrow as usual. Cook only had me serve at the champion's table because Coinneach was a guest and we are courting." Aisling and Gormelia had never been on friendly terms.

Their animosity started when Gormelia belittled her mother's healing abilities.

Aisling had dropped a heavy pot on her foot, though she had always sworn it had been an accident.

Gormelia was a bully who always needed a couple of women by her side to boost her confidence.

Alone, she wouldn't dare confront Aisling with her disparaging remarks.

Aisling suspected that Gormelia's hostility might also stem from Rupert ignoring Gormelia's attempts to catch his attention, when instead he continued to try to get Aisling’s interest.

So instead, Gormelia had tried to gain the champion’s attention, but he was more interested in fighting than courting lasses.

Aisling’s mother approached, and Gormelia and her friends marched off to their pallets across the room.

“Trouble again with Gormelia?” Her mother was speaking low for Aisling’s ears only.

“Aye. She was furious that I served the champion’s table.”

“I saw her try to upset your tray. I wanted to hit her for it. Most of the women at our table did too. And I saw Coinneach helping you serve the meal.” Her mother took a deep breath. “What did you tell him?”

“Everything. But he doesna blame you for any of it. He still wants your favor so that we can mate. Elspeth wants the wedding to be in the meadow.”

Her mother remained silent.

“Coinneach said he wouldna remove his shirt when he is at the castle.”

Rubbing her eyes, her mother said, “What if anyone sees the resemblance between the chief and Coinneach? They’re both tall, both have the same-colored hair and eyes. They have the same facial structure and when they smile…” Her mother shook her head. “’Tis so risky.”

“You see these things because you know he’s his son.” Now Aisling saw the resemblance as well. She hoped no one else would.

“What about Magnus and Elspeth? Did Coinneach tell them the truth?”

“Nay, and he doesna plan to.” However, if circumstances changed, Aisling suspected the truth would come out.

“He willna try to take revenge against”—her mother glanced around the room where everyone was settling down for the night, and they did too—“the person responsible?”

“Nay.” However, Aisling knew things would change if Morag tried to harm them.

Her mother pulled her blanket over her shoulder and sighed. “I hope you have no’ signed our death warrants.”

Coinneach was up earlier than anyone, chopping wood to add to the woodpile and gathering water for his mother to break their fast. Once he had awakened, he couldn’t sleep, excited about his new position, but he didn’t want to leave his family with all the chores before heading to the castle.

His mother peered out the door, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “You are up early.”

“I couldna sleep.”

His mother came out and hugged him. “You be careful while you’re working at the castle. We might live a simpler life, but we dinna have to deal with all the pack members’ disputes within the clan. You willna be prepared for the backbiting between the wolves, vying for power.”

Which made him think of Morag making a play for the chief when his wife died. “Aye, I will be careful.”

He was glad that Aisling had told him the truth, or he wouldn’t have known who to keep an eye on.

His da came out next. “Hey, son, you’re no’ going to do all the chores so Tamhas can sleep all day.”

Coinneach knew Tamhas would have his work cut out for him when he was gone. “He packed my bags last night. I was returning the favor.”

Stretching his arms above his head, Tamhas finally left the croft. “What’s everybody doing up so early?” His eyes widened as he saw the woodpile. “You cut enough firewood to last us for months.” Then he smiled. “Thanks.”

“Well, they’ll be expecting you at the castle,” his da said. “They willna like it if you’re late.”

His mother hugged him again, as if he was going away for good.

“I’ll be back.” He hugged her, and then his da and his brother. “If you need me for anything, you come for me or howl.” He was serious. If they needed help, he wouldn’t hesitate to go to their aid.

Aisling could barely sleep. She was so excited about seeing Coinneach at the champion’s table, but then she realized she would be working the women’s table again. Still, she hoped to see him after the meal.

When she arrived at the kitchen to prepare the meal, Cook said, “You will work the champion’s table again.”

Aisling couldn’t help the smile that appeared. She was so thrilled. She glanced at Gormelia, who was scowling at her, but this time she didn’t tell Cook that it was her table to work.

“What table will I serve then?” Gormelia asked.

“The women’s table. And if you try to knock a tray from another server's hands out of spite again, you’ll be dismissed from the kitchen and have to find a position to work elsewhere.”

Aisling couldn’t believe that Cook knew all about the incident. She was glad she had taken Gormelia to task. Gormelia gave Aisling a slicing glare as if she would get her back.

But Aisling hadn’t been the one to start anything. Still, she would have to watch her back.

When she carried the bread to the champion’s table, she smiled at Coinneach. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. She was so thrilled he was there.

He grinned at her, but didn’t help her serve the bread this time, and she was relieved. She finished serving the table and saw Gormelia glowering at her as she delivered the last bread to the women’s table.

They walked back to the kitchen, Gormelia leading the way. But then Gormelia turned around and scowled at Aisling. “One mistake and you willna get your way.”

Aisling brushed past her. If anyone made a mistake, they paid for it; that was true. The same would apply to Gormelia, if she made a mistake while cooking or serving the pack members.

“Are you still practicing with that Viking bow?” Cook asked Aisling as they started to serve the porridge.

“Aye. Every chance I can get. If our enemies ever invade, I want to be able to fight them off.”

“But you didna find that bow dropped in the woods.”

Aisling didn’t say anything. She wasn’t giving up her secret.

“You killed a Viking for it.” How did Cook even know that?

Everyone was watching them now, even Gormelia. Was Cook trying to tell Gormelia to lay off her? That she was a force to be reckoned with? That worked for Aisling.

“Aye,” Aisling finally said, albeit reluctantly.

“Nay, you dinna.” Gormelia waved a knife at her that she’d been using to cut up the cheese. “Coinneach has a Viking sword. He must have given you the dead man’s bow, but he killed the Viking.”

“Believe what you will.” Aisling wasn’t going to say that Coinneach hadn’t killed the Viking. Besides, there could have been two Vikings that they had eliminated. Maybe Cook’s words would make Gormelia back off with her threats before it escalated to something worse.

Coinneach eyed the brown-haired Morag as she sat beside Chief Hamish at the long wooden head table with contempt. He couldn’t feel any other way about her. Rupert wasn’t to blame for his mother’s actions, but if he was loyal to his mother, which Coinneach suspected, he needed to be watched also.

Morag’s features were sharp and severe, carved as if from basalt, and her mouth was set in a sneer. Did she ever soften the look with a smile or by laughing? She had a hawkish nose, and her eyes were as dark brown as her hair.

Aodhan slapped Coinneach on the back. “Why do you look so serious this morn?”

Coinneach lost his frown and smiled. “I’m grateful to be here.”

“And to have your lass serve you, aye?” Aodhan finished his bread.

“I’m glad to be able to see her, aye, certes.”

Then the light of Coinneach’s eyes swept into the great hall. Aisling served Aodhan first and then Coinneach, all smiles.

“I see you get to continue to serve our table,” Aodhan said.

“Aye. Cook was very generous in allowing me to do so today.” Then she smiled again at Coinneach and hurried off to deliver the rest of the porridge to the others at the table.

“She could brighten any man’s day.” Aodhan finished his porridge.

She certainly could.

Then she delivered the meat pies. She always gave Aodhan two of everything.

“Hamish’s twin brother, Collum, wondered where you were from,” Aodhan said as Aisling served the rest of the table.

“From the croft beyond the castle.”

“Aye.” Aodhan dug into the cheese and venison pie. “But you are bigger than Magnus and Tamhas. And you dinna look like them.”

“I’ve been with them from birth.” That was the truth, but it still chilled Coinneach to think that anyone but Blair and Aisling knew who he was.

Aodhan shoved in another mouthful of pie. “Aye. Collum asked Chief Alasdair how he had come to know you. He said Magnus had saved his uncle during a battle.”

“Aye. I was proud of my da when I learned of it. He had never mentioned it before.”

“Humble then.”

“He is.”

Then Aodhan changed the subject. “You are scheduled for weapons training after we finish here.” He ate the rest of his second pie.

Coinneach glanced back at the hall that led to the kitchen.

Aodhan chuckled. “I’m sure you can get a quick kiss in with the lass before you get sweaty with your workout.”

That’s all that Coinneach cared about. He eyed the high table, waiting for the chief to end the meal. When Hamish did, and those at the high table stood and started to leave, Coinneach sprinted for the kitchen, dodging other clansmen who were going to do their chores.

He heard Aodhan say loud enough for him to hear, “Aye, Drustan. The lad needs a kiss from Aisling to fortify himself for the workout.”

The two men laughed.

Coinneach hurried into the kitchen, where Cook and her staff were now all eating.

They all turned to see him as he strode straight to the object of his affection and kissed her. “Good morning, lass. I’m off to prove my worth.”

“Sword fighting?” She touched his shirt.

He placed his hand over hers. “Aye.” He wanted to tell her he wouldn’t remove his shirt, but he couldn’t in front of the other women.

He kissed her again, but she stood and kissed him back. “Stay safe,” she said.

Then he smiled at Cook and hurriedly left the kitchen before getting into trouble with Drustan. Coinneach had the fleeting thought that Drustan might pair him up with Aodhan, which could be a disaster.