“Da beat Liam senseless,” Bevan continued, “and our mother fed him naught but gruel for a week after. I thought she wasn’t going to forgive him for it.”
“Inearly didn’t forgive him.“ Trahern couldn’t stop his smile, and as he studied each of his brothers. “I broke my arm that summer.”
Bevan smirked. “It was funny at the time, watching you flap your arms. Until you got hurt.”
“I thought it was rather funny, too,” Connor admitted with a chagrined look. “I was glad you jumped first, for I changed my mind about flying after I saw you fall.”
Hundreds of stories and memories bound them together, Trahern realized. And through it all, was the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
“It doesn’t matter, Trahern,” Patrick said quietly. “Blood or not, you’ve been my brother, all my life. And always will be.”
It was then that Annle slipped quietly from the room, a faint smile upon her mouth. She’d known. Keeping his birth a secret wasn’t meant to deceive anyone. His parents had known the truth, but it hadn’t mattered. Saraid had never once treated him any differently from the others. He’d believed he was a MacEgan, because he was raised as one.
“I don’t know what to call myself anymore,” Trahern admitted. “MacEgan or Dalrata.”
“You know the answer to that,” Patrick said. “Do you believe we’d turn our back on you, after all these years?”
“No.” He understood then, that to take any other name was an insult to them. “You wouldn’t.”
“Good. That’s settled.” Ewan stood up and walked to the door. “There’s a good deal of snow on the ground. I’m thinking we should make use of it.”
They left the chamber, and it was as if they were boys again, planning to make fools of themselves in the snow. Before he could join them, Patrick stopped him. “Are you taking Morren back to her home, or will you remain here?”
He sobered. “I have to go back with her. And after that, I don’t know.”
The remnants of the disagreement he’d had with his wife hung down over him. He couldn’t think about it now, not when he didn’t know what to do about her desire for a child.
“You might want to spend time with the Dalratas over the winter,” Patrick advised. “It may be wise to get acquainted with your brothers.”
“You’re right.” Trahern started down the stairs. “But first, I think Ewan needs a lesson in humility.”
The queen was coming up the stairs with her maid and overheard their conversation. “You’re not planning to get my husband all wet with snow, are you?”
“Him and the others, yes.” Trahern shrugged at Isabel. “We’ll have a fight in the snow. And when I’ve finished, you can take the wet clothes off him.”
A flush rose in Isabel’s cheeks. “Well, hurry up, then.” She sent a seductive smile toward Patrick. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Her husband eyed her with his own wicked smile. “And when is the last time you played in the snow,a stór?”
She gave a delighted laugh. “I’ll join you.”
Morrenstoodintheshadows of the castle, watching the men throw balls of snow at one another. The swirling storm was beautiful, and when she saw Trahern among his brothers, a wistful smile crossed over her.
“Come with us,” came Aileen’s voice from behind her. The healer had bundled herself in a warm woolen gown, herbratwound over her head. “I’m planning to join them.”
Honora and Isabel were already among the others, laughing and ducking when snow came their way.
“I don’t know if Trahern would want me to join them.” After the way he had turned away from her, Morren couldn’t seem to let go of the hurt. He’d rejected her, and she hadn’t known she could feel so humiliated. Though he’d claimed it was because he didn’t want to risk her life, all she could think about was how empty it had felt with him sleeping on the opposite side of the bed.
“You’re his wife,” Aileen countered. “Of course you should come.” The dark-haired healer reached up and lifted Morren’s brat around her head and shoulders. “It will be fun.”
“He’s angry with me right now,” Morren confessed.
“And how many times have Connor and I fought?” Aileen retorted. “We’ve been married for five years now, and I can’t even name all the arguments we’ve had. He can be as pig-headed as the next man, believing he’s right. But you can convince him of your own way, sure enough.”
Morren found herself following Aileen outside. In a low voice, she confessed, “He’s afraid I’ll bear another child.”
Aileen stopped walking. “Oh. So that’s it, then.” She nodded towards them. “I won’t lie to you and say it wouldn’t be dangerous. But there’s always hope.” The healer offered a warm smile. “And I think it would do you some good to release your anger in a good snow fight. Knock some sense into Trahern.”
