Page 42 of Wolf Heir

The men helped Coinneach into the barracks, despite his objections. “I’m fine. The stitches just broke loose.”

“Because you were no’ supposed to be fighting. Didna I say that?” Blair glanced at Aisling. “And what were you thinking? Going after Aodhan and Coinneach with just a bow and arrow?”

“She killed two of the five Vikings,” Coinneach said. “Drustan will want to add you to his staff as well.”

“Nay,” Blair said.

“He is only jesting,” Aisling said, scolding him. She helped him out of his shirt, and then her mother cleaned the wound again, repeatedly tsking.

Aisling retrieved fresh bandages and waited while her mother stitched the wound closed again. Then she helped her mother bandage him.

Drustan stalked into the barracks and shook his head. “Aodhan told me what the three of you had done.” He smiled at Aisling. “I will have to have you join my archers.”

Blair said, “Nay, you willna.”

Drustan laughed.

Aodhan and the other men returned and joined them. “How bad is it?”

“It will heal.” Coinneach was brusque with his response.

Aisling suspected he didn’t like the warriors fussing over him.

“To bed with you,” Blair said, with authority.

“Aye, do it,” Drustan said, confirming that’s where he needed to be. “I was sending a force to aid you, but learned afterward my order had been countermanded.”

“We heard,” Coinneach said.

Aodhan grabbed the bed next to him and removed his weapons and boots. “We both need sleep.”

Aisling removed Coinneach’s weapons and his boots. “Do you need anything? If Cook allows, I can go to the kitchen and get it for you.”

“Nay, lass. All I need is sleep and you.”

Aisling’s cheeks grew hot. She wished he wouldn’t say such a thing around her mother and others. To her privately, she welcomed his words.

“All right then.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Sweet dreams, my hero.”

He kissed her back. “Thanks for aiding us. I will see you in the morn.”

Aisling and her mother left the barracks to return to the keep and retire to their beds. “Coinneach had to go to his family’s aid,” Aisling said.

“The other men should have gone in his place. And you shouldna have gone at all.”

“He will be my mate.” Aisling frowned at her mother. “We’re serious about it and we’ll mate with or without your approval before long.”

“Aye, I know. It’s inevitable.”

“Then will you approve of our marriage?” Aisling hoped her mother was coming around.

“We are all tied together in this terrible mess. Aye, I give you my blessing.”

Aisling hugged her mother. “I love you.”

Her mother sighed. “We just have to be careful.”

Aisling said, “Morag stopped the men from going to aid Coinneach and Aodhan.”