Connor smiled and whispered, “He said that too. And Mama. Said to listen to Aunt Brenna, so I promise to do whatever you say. I’m going to close my eyes now. When Maeve brings the broth, awaken me. I’ll drink it. Please say naught about what I said. I’ll tell Kyla and Jamie when I see them.”
He closed his eyes and snored lightly before Aunt Brenna could cover him with a plaid. Maeve left for the broth, and Sela looked at her. “I don’t know what to believe, but I’m grateful. He and Hagen and Brynja are all covered in blood.”
“I’m going to say Lia did it. I don’t know about the other, but for now, we’ve all known Lia has special powers. I’m grateful, as you are, Sela. If not for Lia, he never would have made it back here. He would have died in a boat.”
Aunt Brenna got up to fetch water in a basin to wash the blood from her nephew, and Sela just sat on the stool and set her cheek to her husband’s chest.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Brynja
Brynja shot up in bed, shocked at what she’d just seen.
Duart Castle was under attack. Men were everywhere, and right in front were Sholto and Dugan, the latter yelling for Connor Grant.
She jumped out of bed, wiping the sweat from her brow. Hildi lay in the bed next to her, fast asleep as though nothing had happened. She was nearly back to her old self, something that pleased Brynja verra much.
But nothing had happened.It was a dream.
She paced a bit, not wanting to awaken Hildi, but she had to do something. There was no possible way she could lie back in that bed and fall asleep, with such a horrid nightmare fresh in her mind.
Brynja grabbed a blanket, donned her wool hose and opened the door as quietly as she could. How she needed Hagen, but she could not knock on his door and awaken him either, especially with his two cousins in the chamber with him.
She was about to head down the stairs to the hall when the door at the end of the passageway caught her eye, beckoning her. That’s it. She needed to go up.
So up she went to the parapets, hanging on to the door when the wind caught it so it wouldn’t bang shut. She closed it quietly and turned, surprised to see Hagen sitting on a stool there.
He broke into a smile and held his arms open for her, and she flew into them, allowing the soft kisses he rained all over her face and neck, tucking her into his heat.
“Lass, why are you here?”
“Nightmares,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder as he settled her on his lap.
“About what?”
“Are you sure you wish to know? Mayhap I ask you what you think of Lia’s words before we talk about my nightmare.”
“All right. You mean her words that we are a special power together? And alone we’re nothing?”
She peeked up at him. “The special power together part. Have you heard of anything like that before?”
“Nay, never. And as you know, I have cousins who are seers and all kinds of odd things. But their powers are all separate. None are tied to anyone else. Do you believe her?”
She sighed. “I believe everything that wee lass tells me. Lia is quite unique. She knows things, predicts things. Disappears and no one knows how she gets across the water sometimes. They say she is a guardian angel, and I believe it.”
“Guardian angel and protector of bairns. Those are two amazing titles.”
“She’s saved many bairns already.”
“And my father, with your help.”
They said nothing for a while, staring out over the land, the sea, and the clouds. The breeze had finally died down, and the night was quiet, a beautiful crescent moon winking at them.
“The water? What makes that sound?”
“Fish jumping. Sounds like they are having a party.” He chuckled, “What think you of us being together forever?”
She lifted her head to look into his eyes, brushing some of his wild hair back. “Your hair is sooo long.”
