“Aye, I think you will, Loki.”
The lad couldn’t stop his chattering. “And look at that stone wall, ‘tis the tallest ever. Naught will get past that! And see all the buildings inside the wall. I think I even see a chapel. The Grants have the biggest stable of all. Mayhap I can sleep there in the soft straw instead of on the ground.”
His excitement was contagious. Her father’s keep was large, but it was nothing like this.
Loki squeezed her hand. “’Twill no’ be much longer, missy. We are almost there!” he shouted.
Epilogue
The end of Lucky Loki, and the beginning of a new life.
Brodie and Celestina made their way around the room, making sure everything was set for their surprise. The youngest members of the family, Bethia and Kyla, were upstairs with Jennie and Quade’s younger sister, Avelina, who had promised to look after them. Loki had Alex and Maddie’s twin lads under control near the back of the room with Torrian and his dog Growley and Lily.
After the toast to the bride and groom, hugs and congratulations were exchanged across the room. Quiet finally descended as Laird Alexander Grant stepped to his dais and awaited everyone’s attention.
“’Tis something else verra important that I must do today. I ask Lucky Loki to come forward, please.”
Loki stared at the room full of people from the back of the great hall, clearly unsure of what to do.
“’Tis all right, lad,” Alex said, beckoning him forward. “Torrian and Lily will watch the twins. You are needed up front.”
As he crept forward, Loki’s gaze searched for Celestina. Smiling at him, she nodded in encouragement.
Alex smirked when the lad stopped halfway across the room, staring at the Grant warriors in their plaids, unsure of where he was to go. “Closer, lad.”
Once he had passed through the crowd, a group of Grant warriors gathered in a semi-circle behind him. Loki stood in front of Alex, his wee legs trembling.
Celestina’s heart broke. Loki looked so lost standing in the middle of all those brawny warriors, especially since he was directly in front of the massive Laird Alex Grant. She worried the poor lad’s neck would be sore from looking up at the tallHighlander. She had begged Brodie to allow her to stand next to him in support, but Brodie had refused.
Alex cleared his throat and began, his hands clasped behind his back. “Lucky Loki, do you understand the important code of the Grants, our values of both honor and truthfulness?”
A wee voice squeaked out just loud enough, “Aye, my laird.”
“Lad, I have several questions to ask you and I only need you to answer ‘aye’ or ‘nay.’ Can you do that, son?”
Loki nodded.
“Is it true you snuck under a cart and rode in a hidden spot to follow Celestina?”
Loki, confused, glanced at Brodie before he answered. “Aye, my laird.”
“Is it also true you caused pain to a servant of a nobleman by placing stones in his shoes without his knowledge?”
Loki’s eyes widened. “Aye, my laird, but I was just trying…”
“Aye or nay, lad?” Alex barked.
He hung his head before answering, “Aye, my laird.”
The laird continued. “Is it also true you ran from my brother’s side and followed a cart out of town to find Celestina, without advising anyone of your destination?”
Loki’s frantic gaze darted around the room, searching for support. “But, my laird, Celestina…”
“Aye or nay?” Alex’s voice boomed through the hall.
“Aye, my laird,” he said in a small voice.
Celestina couldn’t take it any longer. She started toward the lad, just to let him know he was not alone, but her husband pulled her back and wrapped his arm around her waist.
