EPILOGUE
Vrogul
Callor had offeredus a place to stay in his village, but I’d turned him down. Being there, especially knowing none of them had any reason to love me or mine, caused my neck to itch.
Aye, we’d won the battle, but this negotiation had been necessary.
My Mate had joined me as a show of support and strength, and having Rowena at my side with her gleaming weapons and haughty attitude—especially since I knew Callor had recognized she was part of our salvation—had made myKteercrow.
It hadn’t been a pleasant meeting, but worth it. I had Callor’s ungraciously given word that my clan would remain safe. We would be his allies, but not his sept. And Itrusted him, because Ihadto. He was as honorable as I was, and had kept to the agreement his grandson had made.
After I’d clasped forearms with the scowling male, he’d begrudgingly invited me to a feast. Having seen what kinds of feasts he held—and the entertainment he and his Mate frequently offered—I turned him down as politely as I could.
I wanted to get Rowena out of there, keep her safe.
She might already be carrying my heir, after all.
So, we rode hard for home, surrounded by my men. This time, she rode in my lap, her arms around my middle, her face buried in the crook of my neck. Maardok was at my side, his warriors spread around us.
Keeping her safe.
We reached the coast, and the sun had sunk long before we stopped. I was itching to reach our island but knew ‘twas foolish to risk the crossing in the dark. So instead, I slid off my horse and held Rowena cradled in my arms while my friends bustled around me, starting cookfires and beginning to make a meal.
But I was tired and needed to retreat with my Mate who was already asleep in my arms.
My brother stepped up beside me to watch his men.
“Ye did well today,” he murmured. “Ye kept us safe.”
His praise made my chest expand and I nodded my thanks. “‘Twas yer warriors’ strength that convinced Callor of our threat?—”
“Nay, ‘twas yer words.”
He tipped his chin toward the female in my arms.
“And those of yer Mate. She’s a good match for ye,D’malk. The Battleborn of Islay will go far under yer combined leadership.”
I knew ‘twas the truth, and I grinned softly.
“Aye. I will lead the clan, and she will lead me.”
He chuckled. “As it should be.”
Thinking of Issa and our mother, my grin grew. But I sobered quickly as I remembered what we’d had to give up. Our promises to Callor.
“We will no’ be forced to raid for him any longer?—”
“Aye,” Maardok interrupted. “We’ll only raid forourselves. And Issa’s cheese obsession.”
“We could steal a few goats and learn to make cheeses, ye ken,” I reminded him dryly, even as I shifted Rowena in my arms. “Be more self-sufficient.”
His shoulder nudged mine.
“And take the fun out of life? We’ll keep what we steal, brother.”
“Aye, but Sevren…”
I could sense my brother’s wince.
