Liam deferred to Dermot and Alfred, trusting his captains far more than he trusted himself to get them safely back to Scotland. If the weather held, the sea cooperated, and the wind was in their favor, it would take them a day to sail through the perilous pass. If Mother Nature held a different plan, it could take them two or more days to battle the waves and current.
Liam watched the western horizon as they moved into the open channel. The wind favored them, so Dermot had no one rowing. Liam glanced at Alfred’s boat, finding the captain at the tiller as men sat around the deck. He turned his attention to Elene, beaming at her as he approached. There’d been no time to talk since they woke, but she’d leaned against him when he slipped his hand into hers while they said their goodbyes to Ilka. She’d stood beside him as he talked to Dermot about their plans before the sea captain relayed the directions to his partner on the other birlinn.
Now Liam squeezed beside Elene, teasing Johan as he pushed his hip against the boy’s, making room for himself. Johan offered a half-gnawed apple to Liam, which he politely declined. He passed the waterskin to Katryne before he leaned to whisper in Elene’s ear.
“If we cannot convince the priest to marry us sooner than three sennights, would you consider a handfast?”
“Would we still marry after the banns post?”
“Of course. I’ve grown too used to hearing you call me husband, and I’m too eager to call you my wife. I’m not giving that up after a year and a day.”
“You’re like a bairn on his saint’s day,” Elene laughed.
“And I have a special new toy I’d very much like to play with.” Liam waggled his brow before he grew serious. “If you’d prefer to wait, then you need only to tell me.”
Elene’s sapphire eyes met Liam’s. She saw the hint of nervousness in his gaze, even though his voice sounded confident. She tangled her hand in his hair and pressed his head forward. She swiped her tongue across his lips and flicked the tip until he opened to her. He fought to stifle his groan as she teased him, her tongue slipping into his mouth, then retreating. When he followed her, lured by the taste of the tart apple she’d eaten, she sucked on his tongue. He nearly carried her to the nearest bulkhead to thrust into her. She pulled away, grinning.
“Do you think I wish to wait?”
“By the saints, how I love you.”
“I love you.”
“Are you really going to be our brother?” Katryne interrupted.
Liam hadn’t considered how Katryne or Johan would feel about joining his family, or rather, him joining theirs.
“Would you accept me as part of your family?” Liam asked solemnly.
“Yes!” Johan answered, as Katryne grinned and nodded. “I’ve always wanted a brother.”
“Am I such a horrible sister?” Elene teased.
“You’re not, but she—” Johan stuck his tongue out at Katryne, who cast him a snide look. The children giggled, unable to remain serious about their disinterest in one another.
“If you allow me to join your family, then you will also gain two other older brothers and another older sister.”
“Another sister, and more brothers?” Katryne chirped.
“Aye. My brothers and sister are closer to my age and Elene’s. My sister will be happy not to be the youngest anymore.” Liam grinned.
“Would they let me train with you?” Johan asked earnestly.
“We would have to ask my father first. He’s the laird.” Liam wrapped his arm around Johan’s shoulders as the boy’s face fell. “But I’m certain he would be proud to have another warrior-in-training. And remember, my family will help you learn Gaelic and Scots. It will take time for you to learn, but you will be welcome members of our clan.”
Elene rested her head against Liam’s shoulder as she listened to her siblings and Liam talk. She realized she felt content for the first time in years. She closed her eyes as their conversation carried on around her, filling her heart to near-busting. When there was finally a lull, she tilted her head back and looked up at Liam.
“I love you,” Liam whispered.
“I love you just as much.” Elene rested her forehead against his neck, but a wave jarred the ship’s hull. She bit her tongue, unprepared for the sudden roughness beneath them. She scrambled to her feet as the others rose. She looked toward the west, shocked at the waves before them. She’d never seen the open expanse that led to Scotland; she’d only heard that the waters could be rough. What lay before them appeared like a squall, but there was no rain. Only bright sunlight and a churning sea.
“Come,” Liam said as he took her hand. He led the three Isbisters to a somewhat-sheltered spot in the stern. “Stay here together. The wind is in our favor, so we should still make progress despite the waves.”
Liam’s prediction was correct. They crossed the North Sea and spotted land just before nightfall. Katryne and Johan stood before them as Liam’s arm encircled Elene’s waist as the Isbisters caught their first sight of Scotland, with Castle Dunbeath looming on the promontory. As they sailed into the natural harbor, bells tolled, announcing their arrival. Elene watched as a group of riders came to the edge of a cliff. It was a woman who dismounted first. Elene could barely see the woman in the nearing twilight, but she could tell the woman lifted her skirts and ran down the steep decline to the beach.
“Mama,” Liam chuckled. As the boat nudged the sandy shore, Elene could make out more of the woman’s features. Her dark hair lifted in the wind behind her. It surprised Elene how fast the woman ran across the sand. She was so distracted that she nearly didn’t notice the beast of a man following her. Liam called out, “Da.”
Trepidation crashed down on Elene as she realized her introduction to Liam’s family was imminent. She looked past the couple and saw a man following Liam’s parents. Just behind him were four couples.
