He came to a quick halt in front of her, gasping in excitement. “Aye. I just became a Grant.”
Gwyneth’s brow furrowed as she stared at the lad. She had heard part of his story, but not everything.
“You see, I used to live in a crate behind the tavern in Ayr, and Brodie Grant found me, and I helped him find missy angel, Celestina, and then we saved missy angel from the surly pig-nut—” his eyes grew wide as he swung his fist in the air, “—and we fought the mean Norse together, but I had to get my sire to the healer ‘cause he was wounded.” He paused to take a breath. “Then I went to tell my mama Brodie was wounded, but she wasn’t my mama yet.” He stopped to point at Celestina and gave her a huge grin. Tipping his head to the side, his hand came up to his mouth in thought. “I… helped her come here and....” Hestopped, a scowl across his face as if he had missed something in his tale.His face lit up. “Then my laird had a ‘ficial cereminny and made me a Grant. So now I have a sire, Brodie Grant, and a mama, and I am Loki Grant.” He pounded his chest with a smile.
“After this contest, I’d like to hear more about that. Tell me, you don’t have a problem with a lass beating a lad, do you, Loki Grant?” She smirked as he stared at her, his eyes wide.
“Nay, my lady. I will vote for whoever is best. I promise to be honest. ‘Tis part of being in the Grant clan. I must always tell the truth.”
Gwyneth ruffled his hair. “I trust you will, lad. Why don’t you check the targets to make sure everything is set up properly?”
“I will, my lady.” Loki yelled back over his shoulder as he took off down the field.
The Brightest Star in the Highlands
Book 7
Jennie and Aedan
Loki always had a wee crush on Jennie, and Alex Grant was glad of it.
Chapter Ten
Loki takes care of his wee brother but also protects Jennie, claiming his role as protector.
Donnal interrupted. “If it pleases you, Laird Grant, I would like to insist on a wedding before the next moon, as we are in need of some organization at our castle. Seems our staff have become quite slovenly and lazy. We need someone who can crack the whip, shall I say?” His smug expression did not speak well for him.
A small commotion took place over in the bairn’s area, so Maddie promptly got up to tend to them.
“Truly, Laird,” Donnal said, glancing over his shoulder at the unruly group. “Is there a reason you have the weans nearby? Are they not too young to act appropriately around guests?”
“Aye, there is a reason,” Alex said gruffly. “They’re my weans and I want them here. They’ll learn to act appropriately in time.”
Jennie stifled a giggle, wishing she could hug her brother over his declaration. He was a good sire and a good leader.
“Mama!” Braden screamed. Maddie whispered something soft in his ear, then sent Loki away with him.
“You see. They are too young.” He nodded his head, apparently in affirmation of his previous statement, but no one volunteered to agree with him.
“That wean is my brother’s first born lad, and I prefer to have him here. Please do not concern yourself, Boyd.”
Donnal let out a loud belch and excused himself. “Must find the garderobe.”
Coll reached for her hand under the table. “My apologies for his rudeness. ‘Tis unforgiveable. I love weans and hope to have many.”
Jennie turned to look into his kind eyes—he was such a better lad than the other suitor—but she still pulled her hand back. She noticed Donnal was headed in the same direction as Loki. Her intuition told her to follow them so she excused herself and did just that, trailing him toward the passageway that led to the tower rooms where Brodie and Celestina lived.
Once she left the great hall, she caught sight of Donnal a few steps behind Loki, who was desperately trying to manage an unruly Braden.
“Here, lad. I’ll handle the wee twit.” Donnal reached for Braden, but his wee protector was faster.
Loki pulled his small sword from his sheath. The weapon connected with the skin of the suitor’s hand and drew a drop of blood, causing him to yank it back. “You will remove your hand from my brother, my lord. No one touches him without my permission.”
“Why, you ungrateful cur.”
Jennie rushed up to them just as Donnal was about to wrest away Loki’s sword. “Leave him be, my lord. They are not bothering anyone.”
He spun around to glare at her. “They’re bothering me. Weans should not be heard from. They should know their place.”
