“Absolutely, my love.” But he didn’t feel the words. The fear of losing her was too strong, too stubborn to release him from its icy grasp.
“Mairwen and Ishbel will help me fight them, too. I know they will.”
“We will all fight them,” he reassured. “Nicnevin has taken a keen liking to ye. She would protect ye with her life.” A strange warmth filled his heart. One he had never felt for his mother—not ever. “As soon as the weather eases up, we’ll shift to Seven Cairns. I dinna wish ye out and about when it’s so bloody cold. It canna be good for yerself or the wee ones.”
She nestled her head on his chest and hugged him even tighter. “That’s fine. I’m just so happy to finally be home.”
He swallowed hard and closed his eyes tightly. Since when did feckin’ tears dare to show up in his eyes? ’Twas shameful! “I am glad we’re home as well, my own,” he said, struggling to keep the roar of emotions out of his tone. “More glad than ye will ever know.”
Chapter 17
Scotland had finally gifted them a day balmy enough to suit Gryffe and convince him to keep his word to shift them to Seven Cairns. Under no circumstances would he allow Emily to ride a horse, and that was fine by her. If they shifted, she would have more time to visit with everyone and make that long overdue video call to her parents. She dreaded that call, because she had to keep them in the dark about most of the things in her life while at the same time apologizing for disappearing off the face of the earth with no warning. But Gryffe and even Nicnevin had sworn to help her convince her parents that all was well and normal in her new path as a wife and soon to be mother happily living in Scotland with her clan chieftain husband.
“Ye’ll soon feel the quickening, m’lady.” Inalfi beamed and fluttered about like an overjoyed butterfly while helping Emily dress. “I canna pull yer stays nearly so close as before. The wee ones are growing.”
Emily smoothed her hands down her slightly thicker middle. It was still too early to feel the babies’ movement, but the sensation of new life was unmistakable. “I can’t wait until they start kicking.”
Grimalkin leaned against her, purring so loudly that the vibration nearly shook her.
“Yes…you’re coming,” she told the spoiled panther. “Gryffe finally agreed.”
The great cat yawned and flexed its long whiskers as if pleased with the news that she too, would soon be transported to Seven Cairns.
“Are ye ready yet, my own?” Gryffe entered the bedchamber, stealing her breath away with his appearance.
“Well, aren’t you amazing?”
He smiled, melting her even more. “I thought to dress in my finest to meet yer parents and give them my oath to always protect their daughter and grandchildren.”
His black coat, broad at the shoulders and narrow at the waist, accentuated his alpha male physique to the nth degree. He wore his colors proudly with his kilt pinned to his shoulder with the MacStrath crest. His close fitting breeches and tall black boots gave off pirate vibes and tempted her to ask Inalfi to leave the room so her husband could take her up against the wall. He created an insatiable hunger within her that made her greedy for more.
He moved closer, tipped up her face up to his, and teased her with a sexy, lop-sided smile. “When we return, my love,” he said in a husky whisper. “If we give in now to what we crave, we will never get to Seven Cairns.”
She allowed herself a heavy sigh and stretched on tiptoe to steal a kiss. “I hate it when you’re right.”
With a smug tilt of his head, he wrapped his arms around her. “Ye must hate it all the time, then.”
Unable to refrain from rolling her eyes, she motioned Grimalkin closer. “We’re ready to shift whenever you are, my chieftain.”
“That feckin’ cat,” he muttered before nodding. “Hold fast, my own, and keep yer hand on yer wee guardian.”
She buried her fingers in the short black ruff at the back of Grimalkin’s neck. “Ready.”
“Septem Cairnes.”
A flurry of wind gusted around them, making Emily close her eyes. When she opened them, she smiled. Gryffe had landed them directly in front of the pub. She gave him a quick kiss. “You are perfect.”
“Was there ever any doubt, lass?”
“Emily!” Lilias exploded out of the pub, running at full speed with her arms open wide. “I have missed ye so much!”
“You know me this time! You know me!” Emily caught the pub owner up in a tight hug and swayed back and forth with her. “You have no idea how good it feels to be recognized.”
Lilias set her back and gave her the saddest look. Tears gleamed in the pixie-like woman’s eyes. “Mairwen told me about that, and I couldn’t believe it. I am so sorry. I couldn’t see ye as ye truly are. I saw…something else.”
“From the sound of your voice, I don’t think I even want to know what you saw.” Emily pulled Lilias into another hug. “It doesn’t matter now. Everything’s all sorted—as the English say.”
Lilias playfully shook her. “Ye best be talking like a Scot, lass—not an English.” She gave Gryffe a look Emily didn’t quite understand. “We have a surprise for ye. Are ye ready?”
