Loki’s eyes grew big as saucers when Celestina pulled out the red and green Grant plaid made just for him and enfolded his wee body with it. Brodie approached his brother and handed Alex a small sword, then pinned a badge with the Grant crest on the wee lad’s chest.
Their parts completed for now, Brodie and Celestina moved back to stand off to the side of Loki, and Alex moved closer to the lad. He positioned Loki where everyone could see him, then held his hand on the lad’s shoulder. With his other hand, he touched the sword to Loki’s head and began, “Lucky Loki, I christen thee a Grant. I am proud to say you acted as the fiercest Highlander in all the land, protecting the weak and innocent, acting with honor at all times, guarding a member of my family when necessary, and fighting bravely for our country.”
When he finished, Alex handed the hilt of the sword to Loki, who took it into his trembling hands before Alex turned him to face the warriors behind him. Alex nodded his head, and the warriors who surrounded him unsheathed their swords at the same time, knelt in unison, each placing their weapon on thefloor pointing toward Loki, individually pledging to protect him with their lives.
Celestina’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she watched the expression of sheer wonder dance across Loki’s face as the warriors knelt in front of him. Her husband wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tugged her in close for a quick kiss. After everything the lad had done for both of them, they were both so glad to see him receive this tribute.
When the warriors finished, Loki turned around, his face lit up with joy. He stared up at Alex and said, “I made it. Is that no’ right, Laird Grant? Am I finally a Grant warrior and a member of your guard?”
Alex stood with his hands behind his back. “Nay, lad, that is no’ correct.”
Loki’s face fell and his shoulders slumped. It was time. Brodie strode over to the lad’s right side and Celestina to his left. Loki peered up at both of them, unsure of what was happening.
Alex cleared his throat. “Lad, I christened you a Grant, no’ a Grant warrior. You will be asked to fight with the warriors, aye, but you are officially christened a Grant, with Celestina as your mama and Brodie Grant as your sire, if you will accept them as your parents in the eyes of Scottish law.”
Loki looked first at Brodie, then at Celestina and said, “Truly, you want me?”
Brodie said, “Aye, lad, naught would make us happier than having you as our son. That is, if you want us.”
Loki let out his best imitation of a Grant war whoop and jumped into Brodie’s arms.
“Aye. I am no longer Lucky Loki.”
Puzzled by his declaration, Celestina looked at him as he hopped down and ran to her side to hug her.
“I am Loki Grant,” he said with a grin.
Journey to the Highlands
Book 4
Alex doesn’t quite know how to help Robbie with this woman he fell in love with,
but Maddie does.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex deals with Caralyn and does his best to give her what she wants, but at what price? The similarities between Maddie and Caralyn’s situation come out eventually, and our Maddie stands up for her, even months along in her pregnancy.
Two days later, Robbie sat at the table in the middle of the solar while Alex sat behind his desk with Maddie seated close to him. “Why did she wish to see you, Alex?”
“I don’t know, but I granted her request. Do you wish to give us a little background on your relationship with Caralyn before she joins us?”
Robbie shrugged his shoulders as he walked over to pull the fur back from the window. “I found her after a Norseman beat her until she was unconscious. She was in bad shape and didn’t awaken until the next morning. I brought her to my camp, then went back and rescued her daughters. Tomas and I took them all to the priory near Glasgow right before the Battle of Largs.”
“And that’s all?” Alex’s eyebrows lifted as he watched his brother.
“That’s what is most important.” He turned back around from the window to face Alex and Maddie.
“Then how did you end up bringing her to our clan?”
“Och, ‘tis a long story.”
“We have the time.” Alex glanced at his wee wife, methodically rubbing her rotund belly. “Is aught wrong, sweeting?”
Maddie smiled. “Nay, I am fine. Just a wee bit tired.”
Alex leaned over and kissed her cheek.
