King Alexander nodded consent.
Lord Kollungr looked at Svørn and Torsten to state, “Make the preparations; we sail upon the next tide at dawn.” The trap was set – but were they the ones caught?
***
Settled before the roaring hearth within their bedchamber, she found the flames licking the peat brick to oblivion. Was it a sight she held a kinship to? Aye,therewas her and Aonghus, thefinaltall brick, which fell into the flames just as what happened a few hours past in the solar.
With the cold wind blowing the arrow slit, she lowered her icy hands closer toward warmth. What would Alec or Callum think when they found out? If only, after the assembly, they hadn’t discovered the brothers had been called away by a summons from the warriors of Clan MacCade for a pressing matter. Only Sir Brayden knew, whose eyes appeared ready to pop from their sockets.
Lady Maise had an honorable knight coming into her arms if he survived their meeting with King Håkonsson. On the heels of learning their fate, Sir Brayden approached King Alexander and Lord Kollungr wanting to venture with them.What a loyal friend!
A clanking sounded from pewter dishes containing half-eaten supper upon a tray as a wee chamberlain retrieved them then ran out the door with a terrified expression. It had to be from spying Aonghus sharpening Vengeance’s blade while he was seated across from her.Rip. A stone caressing deadly steel – it was a fitting accompaniment to the mood.
Her knight broke the silence after the lad vanished. “Cluaran, your daggers – the straps are holding well in order?”Rip.
She swallowed hard. “Aye,” she replied softly. “The leather upon the ankle strap has been replaced; all will be in workin’ order.”
Another grind across the blade. “Good.” He kept his eyes on hers to ask, “When you step into a conflict, Cluaran, what takes you in a shadow-glance? The violence must release a stern reaction.”
“Aye.” She nodded, practical. “As with other disasters unfolding, at times the fates reverse. Some within smaller spans, or it may be one larger moment in time – or they do not reverse at all” – her tone was haunted – “and are cast forever.” She paused. “’Tis very rapid in my mind’s reveal, thus I may grow a most painful reaction from the cost of measure.”
“Painful?”
Yep, like a thumbscrew to the temple, crossing with being on the rack all at once. “Wee bit.”
The stone stopped; worry wore his gaze, heavy as his chainmail tunic that hung on the peg near the door. “’Tis not the first, MacCade, and it shall not be the last, I am certain.”Bring on the thumbscrews!
The stone and Vengeance were set onto the table while his question caused her to lean back in her chair from shock. “What if another choice were cast forthwith once the siege is done and the Northern enemy is vanquished?”
“To choose a path not as a fate-seer but….” She could not form the word as the want to make it happen filled her soul. “To simply be a lass.” She sighed the sentiment with awe, then she added practically, “Nae glances, nae cost in measure; I would be as others…”
“Keirah,” he broke in, “you shallneverbe as ‘others’.” She cocked a brow in question. “There is a way in your manner; I reflected upon this the first moment we set foot into the chamber we now sit in. A spirit in you which draws an extraordinary reaction from those who surround you. This has naught to do with harnessing a fate-seer’s element unto your grasp, ’tis only you.” She smiled. “If a fresh choice lay at your grasp, what would be your consideration forthwith? Has much thought been given toward the matter?”
He asked!She leapt up, dashing over toward him, appearing to have sprouted wings. Onto his lap she landed, cupping his smooth jaw in her palms. “For hours and hours, my MacCade!” she gushed. “The considerations flood my thoughts till all turns into a watery blur from emotion. To be with you,fullywith you, I yearn more than words may declare! I long for your touch, for us, for a wee lass with the fierceness we see in Edina to grace our lives, or a wee lad with these” – she paused to brush her fingers over his lashes – “eyes the richest blue that places the ocean unto shame.Ourown clan,ourown path. My heart never considered such hope for these things till you pulled me from that storm. You are my calm now just as you were that eve, MacCade. ’Tis a rather unique trait you carry – one who may be my castle of calm may also unleash a fire of passion in my soul. Aye” – tears ran her cheeks – “I have considered this a great deal, but alas, the hope dies with the needs beholden to the kingdom.”
His fingers, rough from warfare, gently brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Place the kingdom from your thoughts,” he challenged. “If ’twas you and your heart’s desire, what would the choice be?”
“Us.” The word flowed from her lips. “A thousand dawns, a hundred winters, endless shores, I chooseusat the end ofeach.” Her head shook as her heart cracked at the dire reality. “What of the king or the kingdom? The battle must be seen to.”
“True; however, you care to strike an accord, Lady Keirah MacCade?”
She arched a brow. “Terms?”
“Once the storm’s battle is done, if your feelings still hold true to what has been declared, we…” His palm strayed to her breast as her breath caught. They would succumb to their passions, which always flew about the air between them like sparks from a flame.
Her brow rose higher. “Aye, but MacCade, what doyouwish for most?”
“You showed me a realm I never thought possible:hopefor what lay ahead after years sour in reflecting upon my past by the dark shadow it cast when Callum banished me.” He pressed his brow to hers. “’Tis your choice, not one I may behold. If this is to be our path forth…” He paused to brush his thumb over her nipple, hardened beneath the gown’s layer at his touch; her breath caught. “Or if you wish to remain with the instinct in sense given…” He moved his palm, cupping her delicate jaw. “I shall honor your choice, nae matter what is chosen. Cluaran, my strongest consideration is Ionlyseek to be by your side,always.” His lips closed over hers in a pact to his vow as her arms wove about his neck.
To have all – bodies, passions, and souls, MacCade. That is the choice – always.
Chapter 33
The blinding mist clouded her vision. She was back – in the realm of possibilities with destiny.Step careful, lest it be the final step.Wait, what was that? A distant wail reached her ears. Infernal fog! All she saw was the gray tickling her nose. This way? There it was again; no, venture left. Her heart surged blood toward her head. It…it was a wee bairn crying. Who was the other? Her hands frantically pressed into the unseeable cloud trying to create a path to see.Ugh, clear away, mist!
Sounds of steel meeting steel. Her feet began running toward the chaos unfolding, shrouded in grayness with rain soaking her skin. Her shoulders tensed.
A sound, half frightened scream and all rage, met her ears. A lass.
