“Bah!” Valdar frowned at the travel gear in the opened coffer. “By hieing yourself off on some fool journey?”
“Nae, good sir, you err.” His own scowl equally daunting, Ronan lifted a folded cloak from the coffer and placed it on the bed. “ ’Tis no fool’s journey, but a purposeful one. Since my father’s passing, Maldred the Dire’s curse has centered on me. I mean to —”
A sound very like thunder rumbled in Valdar’s chest. “Maldred ne’er cursed Dare. He —”
Ronan snorted. “The man was an archdruid and a sorcerer. His wickedness and dark deeds have marked and overshadowed every MacRuari since his day. It scarce matters if he spoke the curse or nae, the result is the same.”
“Which is why you must wed a fiery, handsome lass with enough spirit and vigor to banish Maldred’s influence.” His grandfather snatched the cloak off the bed and tossed it back into the strongbox. “Such a bride will bring light back to Dare, lessening Maldred’s hold. If you come to love her, the shadows will fade. I am certain of it. Even the blackest powers can be conquered by love.”
“Spare me such nonsense.” Ronan retrieved his travel cloak and returned it to the bed. “Ihaveloved. I loved Matilda passionately, as well you know. And dinna tell me there hasn’t been love at Dare since Maldred’s day.” He flashed a look at Valdar. “I may be cursed, but I’m no dimwit.”
“To be sure there’s been love.” His grandfather bristled. “I cared deeply for your grandmother, and your father loved your mother. But not enough to challenge Dare’s darkness. Arranged marriages rarely bring the kind of passion that sets the heather ablaze.”
“Yet you believe a third such union for me will burn so hotly?” Ronan took an extra sword belt from his strongbox and began rolling it into a tight coil. “Do you not hear the contradiction in your own words?”
Valdar’s eyes lit with a conspiratorial glint. “My informants claim your new bride’s fire would scorch the sun.”
“I do not have a new bride. Nor will I accept one.” Ronan set a wineskin on the bedcovers, next to his coiled belt. “Further, rumor has it that where I am going, there are women keen enough to rock the hills should I feel such a need.”
His grandfather considered him. “And where might that be?”
“Santiago de Compostela. Once I’ve knelt at the shrine of Saint James and collected my scallop-shell badge, I am certain Maldred will plague us no more. Even he would recognize the power of such a token.” The truth of it flashed down Ronan’s spine. “Tangible proof I made the journey and prayed for our family’s redemption. No shrine badge is holier than Saint James’s scallop. The dark forces here will recoil —”
“Och, is that so?” Valdar wriggled his eyebrows. “I say you’re blethering nonsense. ’Tis the MacKenzie lass’s fire you need. Naught else!”
Ronan flipped back his plaid and folded his arms. “Should I wish a desirable woman’sheat, the return journey through Spain and France will provide ample opportunity.”
“Begad!” Valdar wagged a finger. “You needn’t travel clear across the world to rid us o’ Maldred. I’m a-telling you, your new bride shines so bright, her mere presence will send his darkness packing. I know it here.” He paused, pounding a fist against his heart. “Gelis MacKenzie —”
“MacKenzie?” Ronan stared at him, his own heart stopping. “Are you mad? The Black Stag has left us in peace all these years. He’d not leave one stone or blade of grass unblackened if you even thought to bring a MacKenzie woman to Dare.”
“Not just any MacKenzie woman. Your new bride is the Black Stag’s own daughter.”
Pressing fingers to his temples, Ronan shook his head. “You ken, I’d gladly cross swords with Duncan MacKenzie. Any man. But the Black Stag can raise an army a hundredfold greater than ours. Inciting his wrath would mean Dare’s end. I’ll not —” he broke off, only now grasping his grandfather’s words.
Staring at him now, at his self-satisfied grin, he was certain his aching head would explode. “The Black Stag’s daughter?”
Valdar nodded. “None other, aye. Lady Gelis is his youngest.”
Ronan felt the walls close in on him, the floor whip and buckle beneath his feet. “Youaremad. I’ve ne’er heard a more fool scheme. Or a more trouble-fraught one.”
“No trouble at all.” Valdar made a dismissive gesture. “Duncan MacKenzie agreed to the match the very day my courier went to him.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Ronan spoke the words through tight lips.
“Only because there are things, circumstances, you’re unaware of.” His grandfather lifted a hand, pretending to study his knuckles. “The Black Stag owes me a long-standing debt. His youngest daughter shall repay it.”
“By marrying me?”
Valdar looked up sharply, his expression triumphant. “So you will have her?”
“I will not.” Ronan folded his arms. The Black Stag’s daughter was the last female he’d even lay a finger on. “Never in a thousand years.”
The triumph faded from Valdar’s eyes. “You’ll shame our house if you refuse.”
“The shame will be yours, no one else’s.”
“IamDare. As you will be when my chieftainship passes to you.”
