“Love. For you, Hildi, your clan, the people of Mull, even the nuns. They were only trying to help us.”
“I love you too.”
She scowled, her gaze scanning the hall. “Speaking of Hildi, where is she? Have you seen her since the ceremony?”
He shook his head, frowning with her. “Now that you mention it, have you seen Jowell? Paden is over there flirting with Mora, but I haven’t seen him.”
Brynja broke into a grin and took his hand. “Hush, I think I know where they are.”
“They? You mean together?”
She nodded and held her finger to her lips to shush him, then led him over to the healer’s chamber. A small candle flickered inside, but not enough to light up the entire space. She cracked the door open and heard a gasp.
“Hildi?”
Hagen peered over her shoulder. “Jowell, you scoundrel. What are you two doing in here?”
The two were kissing and jumped apart, both a bit short of breath.
“Naught,” Jowell said. “Hildi was feeling light-headed, so I brought her in here.”
“Of course,” Hagen drawled. “I’m sure holding her that tightly kept her from dropping. Try seating her next time, Jowell.”
His cousin shrugged, grinned, then sat down and hauled Hildi onto his lap. “I was just convincing Hildi to stay at Clan Grantham now that you’re married.”
“And?” Brynja’s whisper ended in a light squeal.
“And I agreed.” Hildi’s face glowed.
“Hildi, I’m so happy. We belong together.”
“I know. I’ll never leave you, Brynja.”
Hagen tugged his wife over, took a seat across from Jowell, and settled Brynja on his lap. “The priest is here for the night.” He tipped his head at his cousin.
Jowell shook his head and said, “Nay, we’ve discussed it. We’re not ready yet. We wish to wait a while. Mayhap next Yule.”
“That sounds perfect,” Brynja said. “And I promise to show you where I hid the treasure left by our mothers so we can both enjoy it.”
Epilogue
Lia
The day after the festivities were over, Lia had called a specific group into the solar. “I needed to have a meeting with you all. I have some important words for you.”
She looked out at the group in front of her: Connor, Sela, Hagen, Brynja, Maitland, Maeve, Grant, Alasdair, John, and Dyna.
Connor said, “Lia, I need to understand something. And since it’s just this small group, I would like an explanation of what happened when I was injured on Tiree. How was I healed so quickly? I thought I was dying.”
“You were verra close. It allowed me the chance to explain to Hagen and Brynja what powers they hold. As you can guess, they are a powerful couple. Everyone can see it, but I needed them to know that I will ask them to help me in the future. It’s my job to protect the bairns, but I cannot do it alone. I need helpers in the universe. And they, along with others in your clan, have been chosen.
“As time goes on, we’ll have more bairns to protect, but I will need you two together. Hagen and Brynja,” she turned to them, “I am binding the two of you until the end of time. Together, you will travel and help me fight the evil of the world.”
Hagen whispered, “Why us?”
“It’s not just you, but I’m starting with you. To be the most powerful, you will have to stay together as a couple. Are you willing to commit to each other? I’m pleased you are married, but you must commit to support each other when you are needed.”
The two looked at each other and both nodded. “Of course,” Brynja said, Hagen nodding next to her and kissing her cheek.
