Mah husband.
It was still hard to believe that Kaiden wasn’t just her patient, but the man that she would spend the rest of her days with. They had not discussed the proxy marriage, nor had they discussed much at all. Kaiden tended to be quiet while she was present, and though Ferra wanted to ask questions to learn more about her husband, she never could find the right words to start with. What would happen once he got out of that bed?
What would he be like as a husband? He was surly, but Ferra imagined a great deal of that had to do with what he had gone through over the past few months. She couldn’t blame him, frankly.
After finding the cook and preparing a tray worthy of a healing warrior, Ferra made her way back to the great hall, nearly upending the tray as she encountered her father-in-law.
“Well?” he asked anxiously.
“His wound is looking much better,” she stated, glad she could give the elder some good news for once. Every evening, they sat down for supper, and she told him about Kaiden’s progress. It had been Shamus that had been there when she had let the infection out of the wound, the same man who had held his son by the shoulders and, with surprising strength, forced him not to move during the process.
The laird’s shoulders sagged in relief. “I knew ye could do it,” he told her, his smile wreathed with happiness. “I knew I hadnae made a mistake in bringing ye here.”
Ferra was just glad the outcome hadn’t been any different. “Now it will be up tae Kaiden tae get out of the bed.”
The older man winked. “Perhaps he has some motivation in a beautiful lass for a wife.”
When Ferra didn’t blush, his grin faded. “Wot is it, lass?”
“Wot if he rejects this marriage?” she blurted out. It had weighed heavily on her mind since Kaiden had started to show signs of improvement.
The laird laid his hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “Ye are a McGregor, and if mah son rejects ye, then ye will remain mah wife in name only and inherit all the riches that are meant for a lady.”
While she appreciated the sentiment, Ferra wasn’t so certain she wanted to remain in a keep where Kaiden would be if he rejected their marriage. He would resent her and his father, which was something that she could never allow to happen. They cared about each other far too much.
“Never fear, lass,” the laird continued, heedless of the internal war raging inside Ferra. “He will come tae care for ye, lass.”
His words stayed with her as she climbed the stairs to his chamber, carefully balancing the tray in her arms. She hoped that he would come to accept what his father had done for him, even if it were in name only.
Then she would turn to healing, since the healer had decided that she was no longer needed and quit the clan three days prior. It was a great loss, and while Ferra detested her methods, she never meant to run anyone out of their clan, their home.
“I dinnae understand. How could they be that close?”
Ferra drew up short as she heard the anger in Kaiden’s voice, not wanting to disturb the men.
“I dinnae know, but we were able tae prevent the attack.” Erik’s voice drifted out of the door that was ajar. “And we didnae lose any men in the process. They are getting daring, Kaiden. If we dinnae retaliate—”
“I cannae!” Kaiden exploded, causing Ferra to flinch. “I am just now starting tae heal, Erik! How can I climb on a horse and ride intae battle?”
“I’m not asking.”
“Aye, ye are,” Kaiden interrupted, his voice far wearier than it had been. “Ye’re asking the impossible. I cannae protect mah own clan.”
His words broke her heart. He had come so far in his healing, but she knew it was hard for him to now understand the next step, and given Erik’s report, the clan needed their leader.
“Yer da,” Erik offered after a moment. “He can lead us intae battle.”
“Mah da is a doddling old man,” Kaiden replied sourly. “I dinnae want him wielding a sword, not against them. They will slaughter him.”
Ferra’s breath caught, and she moved away from the door, having heard all she needed to hear. The clan was in danger, and they desperately needed Kaiden, whether it was a show of strength or proof that their warrior—their future laird—was alive and well.
Which meant he needed to get out of the bed.
Erik walked past the alcove she was hiding in a moment later, and Ferra quickly made her way to the chamber, finding Kaiden staring at the ceiling, something he did often whenever he didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“Just set it over there,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I’m not vera hungry anymore.”
Ferra did as he asked before approaching the bed. “Ye know we can start tae help ye stand now.”
