“He is hurt, missy. Two Norsemen stabbed him in the leg and he bled and bled. Nicol is taking him home to the Highlands so his sister can fix him. The healer at the camp wanted to saw his leg off, but Laird Alex stopped him. He says Brenna will fix him and save his leg.” Loki hesitated and took a deep breath.
The news made Celestina stumble, but she righted herself. He was alive.Thank you, Lord, for saving my husband.They could handle his injuries, whatever they were. He needed her.She should be by his side. Nay, shehadto be by his side. She would leave immediately, she needed to make plans, but how would she get there?
“Come. I will take you there now.”
Loki held his hand out and as soon as she placed her hand in his, he spun around, heading directly for the path. “Aye, Loki, take me to my husband. He needs me. I will be there for him.” She searched the area for her parents so she could let them know of their plans.
A deep voice stopped both them in their tracks. “Whoa, lad. You have time to stay for something to eat and for us to help you prepare for your journey, aye?” Her father strode toward them, holding his hand out to Celestina.
She jerked in response to the large hand moving toward her, reflexively putting her hands in front of her face to defend herself.
Her father pulled his hand back, an alarmed expression on his face. “Och, lass. I will never raise a hand to you. ‘Tis no’ me. I love you and I am here to help you.”
Celestina dropped her hands and nodded. This was her father, her true father, and she believed he would never hurt her deliberately.
He offered his hand again, this time keeping it a fair distance from her. She reached out and grabbed it, sighing in relief. He would be there for her.
Her father whispered. “Come, my dear, and we will find out all you need to know from the wee one, so we can help you find your husband. Remember, you are no longer alone; you have family to help you.” Her father searched the area for strange horses but found none. He directed his next question to Loki. “Lad, how did you get here?”
Loki’s panting slowed for a few seconds. “I ran.”
Her father’s shocked expression told her just how far they were from the battle. “You ran all the way alone?”
“Och, nay, I had some rides, but I ran from way back there!” His finger pointed toward the forest and the planting fields.
Ranald MacLaren strode over to Loki and patted him on the back. “Well done, lad. Now, come inside for something to eat, and we will make a plan. You can no’ make it all the way into the Highlands without a horse and some provisions. See now, look at Celestina. Does she look ready to travel?”
Glancing from Celestina to The MacLaren, Loki finally answered, “Nay, Laird. I know how important it is for me to take care of Master Brodie’s wife, so I will stay for a bit. And if you could spare me something to eat, I would be much obliged.”
“Good decision. You must be a Grant warrior to think like that.”
“Aye, Laird. I am, and I will be training with the warriors soon.” Loki nodded his head in affirmation.
Celestina was so glad to see him. She smiled as they traipsed to the great hall, the boy’s wee hand in hers, telling her again all he knew about Brodie’s injury.
She had to get to the Grant clan to see her husband, but would her parents allow her to leave?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Loki sees the Highlands and Grant land for the first time, something he’ll never forget.
The wind blew colder and harsher the further they traveled. Celestina bundled the plaid around her as tight as it would go. She had given up the cart and now rode a horse alongside her father, her brother, Rory, and a few of the MacLaren guards. Her father had insisted her mother remain in the cart forprotection against the bitterly cold Highland winds. Celestina had ridden with her for awhile to keep her company, but the trail was narrowing and her father had sent them on ahead while he stayed back with her mama. She had jumped at the chance to ride a horse and Inga had promised to keep her mother company.
Loki sat in front of her on her horse and offered guidance when it was needed. The lad had proven to be such a godsend, not least of all because he was adept at calming her worries. Her mind had thought of every possible situation they might find when they finally arrived at the Grant clan, but though everyone had chimed in to convince her Brodie was alive, it was Loki’s quiet certainty that made her believe.
The beauty of the Highlands astounded her—the hills and waterfalls, the beautiful glens and valleys. As she shivered under her plaid, she swore that when she and her husband were reunited, she would force him to hold her in his warm embrace for hours until the chill moved out of her bones. No matter where they slept, be it under the stars or inside a cave, the nights were colder here than she’d ever imagined.
She lifted her face to the sun and breathed in the crisp autumn air, smiling because she could now understand why Brodie loved the Highlands so. This would be her home, and no matter how grievous his injury, they would work through it together. She would help him heal and be a good wife to him. She tried not to think sad thoughts because her tears tended to freeze on her face in the wind.
Instead, she turned her mind to her parents, who had supported her completely when she’d told them she could no longer wait to see her husband. She had offered to find someone to travel with in a cart, but her father had insisted on bringing her to the Grants himself, as had her mother.
The only one in their group more excited about their destination than Celestina was Loki. She pulled him in closer, hoping to keep him warm, though it seemed as though the wee sprite had more heat than she did.
The view became more breathtaking the further they traveled. Then, a few days after they had left, Loki grinned and tugged on her arm, his gloved finger pointing off into the distance. The largest castle she had ever seen graced a huge hill, surrounded by several rows of huts and thatched cottages and valleys with firths meandering through them. They could make out a loch to the left and fields to the side, though little grew at this time of year.
As they made their way, Celestina could make out the castle’s parapets and the towers. Warriors were everywhere—walking the parapets, riding on horseback through the village, and practicing swordplay in the fields.
“Look, missy angel.” Loki pointed to a field full of soldiers to the right of the castle. Swords reflected the sun as they swung in battle. “The lists! The famous Grant lists. Someday I will be able to practice there.” His face lit up and he turned to her, grinning from ear to ear. She kissed his forehead and chuckled.
