Page 15 of Wolf Heir

“I practice.” He patted the Viking sword he carried with him just in case he encountered trouble.

“Against your brother. But we’re talking about warriors who are strong and muscular, who have the skill with a sword. They would love to show you how poorly you can compete and make fun of you. You know how men can be.”

“Aye.” Coinneach gave her one of his lopsided little smiles. “While you're watching, I’ll best them all.”

Aisling scoffed. “They will knock you on your arse.”

“And I will get back up and take them on again. I’m no’ afraid of a challenge.”

“Have you talked to your family about this?” She wondered if they would be all right with him leaving them to work the farm on their own.

“I have. Tamhas is eager to take over the farm when our da can no longer manage, though if I ever have a chance to leave, I will talk it over with them again to make sure they are ready for me to work somewhere else.”

“But you will come to work at Middleborough Castle, aye? You willna be going somewhere else,” Aisling said.

“At any time, I could have worked for Alasdair if I had wanted to. He is the chief of Ghealach Castle.”

“Ooh, you know a chief.”

“We are best of friends.”

“But?”

“I want to work at Middleborough Castle so I can be close to you. And to my family, should they need me.”

“That’s what I want to hear.”

They began to kiss, and he pressed his hand against her breast.

She moaned against his mouth. “We should just mate,” she said. “My mother will come around.”

“My family wants to celebrate our union with your mother’s consent.”

“We may never get it.”

He sighed and kissed her forehead. “If she doesna agree in a fortnight, we will mate anyway.”

She smiled. “I’m glad, but I will try to convince her before then.”

“If you can think of anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

“Aye.”

Then, with the gentle breeze caressing them and the flowers swaying around them, she climbed on top of him, and they kissed again when they heard horses approaching.

Coinneach sat up abruptly. “That is Alasdair.”

“Aye, I’ve seen him at Middleborough before. He has an alliance with Chief Hamish. Wolves need to stick together.”

“I agree.”

Coinneach pulled Aisling up from the grass, and they stood. He waved at Alasdair to let him know where he was.

When Alasdair rode his horse across the meadow to join them, he looked surprised that Coinneach was with a lass.

“How now!” Alasdair greeted Coinneach, his smile broadening as he glanced Aisling’s way. “It seems you have been busy while I’ve been away.”

Coinneach smiled. “I would marry Aisling in a heartbeat, but her mother objects.”