Just as Sam started to step toward Adam, a cascade of rocks pelted Sam on the head and chest.
“Ouch!” Sam raised his hands to his face, shielding himself. “Are ye consorting with the fairies now? Under their protection?”
Adam laughed darkly, having momentarily forgotten about Gorren. “Stop, lad,” he commanded. “Sam is me friend and brother-in-arms. Come to take us to a wedding.”
The rocks ceased flying, and then there was a rustling sound in the bushes where a lad crawled out, stood, and brushed himself off.
“And who is this?” Sam asked.
Adam quickly explained the situation, and Sam frowned at the lad.
“Do ye want me to castrate the boy?” Sam asked, unsheathing his long sword and holding it up. “’Twould be a clean cut, I think.”
Gorren covered his nether region with both hands. “I havena done anything wrong, sir. Only as me father bid and now Master Adam.”
“Ye put hands on the future laird of Clan MacKay. In fact, in me opinion, the new laird.” Sam hit his knees and bowed his head, offering his sword to Adam. “I pledge me life to ye, Laird MacKay.”
Adam didn’t know what to do as he gazed down at his best friend. Such action could go two ways—in his favor or against him—which would mean execution if the men of Clan MacKay didn’t feel the same way as Sam. But Adam knew one thing, his father could no longer serve as laird. The man had lost his bloody mind for the last time. Adam had pledged to protect Kali and her sisters with his life regardless of the costs.
“Take the knee, lad,” Sam said, pulling Gorren down next to him.
“Ye havena thought this through,” Adam said.
“Nay?” Sam gazed up at him. “And what do ye think me and the other guards talked about once we knew ye were missing? Why do ye think I’m here?”
Adam shrugged, not knowing what to say.
“I was elected to come after ye. Tasked to tell ye if ye make it back to the keep before the wedding, the men will follow ye and oust yer sire. If not, the men will stay faithful to the laird, for they feel by marrying a young lass he may return to his old self eventually.”
“Me father willna marry Ariana Bane. And as for Lord Nelson…”
“Adam,” Sam said. “The ground is rocky and cold. Do ye accept the lairdship?”
Adam closed his eyes and rolled the idea around in his mind. Could he betray his father so thoroughly? So callously? Would his brothers and sister support him? Understand why he had to do it? Aye, he’d take that chance.
Resigned to accept the appointment, Adam opened his eyes and rested his palm on Sam’s head. “I, Adam MacKay, heir to the lairdship, humbly accept yer offer. If I fail in me duties, if I offend the Almighty or bring evil upon me people, may me soul never find peace for all of eternity.”
Sam whooped loudly.
“Furthermore, I appoint ye as my right hand, Sam. My personal bodyguard and the captain of me soldiers.”
Sam slowly stood and then grasped Adam’s arm in faith and friendship. “May God have mercy on Clan MacKay.”
…
Kali had been unable to fall asleep as she awaited Heather’s return. It had been hours, and nothing had happened, except Ariana and Yvaine had fallen asleep. If only there were something more she could do. But guards were posted outside the chamber door. She sat on a chair in front of the hearth, frustrated by the silence and passing of time.
Once the sun rose, it would officially be her wedding day. The thought made her want to retch.
She had failed at everything. Broken every promise she had made to her mother and herself. Ariana was to marry tomorrow, too. And in Kali’s mind, she wasn’t sure which groom was worse, Lord Nelson or Laird MacKay. Her body shivered with disgust. Perhaps she could kill Laird MacKay. Then she’d be arrested and likely executed, thereby avoiding her own wedding and sparing Ariana at the same time. Aye, murder seemed the only solution.
A noise pulled her out of her thoughts, and Kali watched as the chamber door slowly opened and two women entered—Heather and Leah! By everything holy, Heather had succeeded in reaching the children.
Kali stood and flung herself into Leah’s arms. “It is so wonderful to see ye again.”
Leah squeezed her tight. “If we had known ye were in trouble…”
“Nay.” Kali pulled back from her and then gazed at Heather. “How did ye manage to get to them?”
