He was looking at Clova when he said it and the old woman wasn’t pleased with the comment.
“Ungrateful,” she muttered. “Ungrateful, ye are.”
His smile broke through. “Is that what got ye out of yer deathbed? Ye’re angry because I’m ungrateful?”
“I’m angry because ye’d leave us!”
“Because I am tae fulfill a vow? I canna believe that ye would begrudge me my honor.”
“’Tis not yer honor I begrudge ye, but the fact that ye’re taking Issie with ye, too. What kind of life will it be for her at a fight guild?”
Isadora stepped forward, putting herself between Cam and Clova as if to protect her husband from the old woman’s wrath.
“It is my choice,” she said firmly, looking to her brothers and father also. “Cam is my husband and I go with him. I dinna wait all of these years tae find such a man only tae let him leave me.”
Clova simply scowled, though deep down, she understood. When Nikolaus patted her arm, she backed down.
“I thought ye came tae bid them farewell,” he said to her. “Had I known ye were coming tae berate them, I would have kept ye at home.”
Clova scowled as Nikolaus fought off a grin. He looked at his grandson. “We wish ye well, in spite of what the old woman says. God be with ye on yer journey. Isna that what ye wanted tae say tae them, Clova?”
Clova grunted. “Aye,” she said. “I wish them well, but I wish they werena going.”
Isadora went to her, kissing her on the cheek. Clova accepted it, but she still turned away, muttering unhappily. Nikolaus moved to catch up with her, but not before reaching out a hand to Cam.
“Godspeed, lad,” he said. “We said our farewells earlier today, but I want ye tae know how proud I am of ye. Imagine: my grandson a trainer at the Ludus Caledonia. I can hardly believe it.”
Cam grinned, squeezing his grandfather’s hand before the man headed off, shuffling after Clova. He watched the pair head off in the direction of their cottage as Niall spoke up.
“She’s concerned for ye, Issie,” he said. “But none of us wants tae stop ye from going with yer husband. We understand that Cam has a vow tae fulfill.”
“If it is about the money ye spent on me, I’ll pay ye back,” Cam said before Isadora could respond. “I know ye spent a good deal on a warrior for yer clan, so it doesna seem right tae return tae The Cal without promising tae pay ye for what ye spent, considering I’ve not been with ye for very long.”
But Niall shook his head. “It was worth every penny, lad,” he said. “Ye did what I brought ye here tae do. Ye brought us peace. And, ye married my daughter. That alone was worth the price I paid tae rid me of that old spinster.”
Isadora frowned deeply as her brothers, and even Cam, grinned at her expense. Niall chuckled when he saw the unhappy look on her face. Reaching out, he took her by the hand.
“Ye know I jest with ye, Issie,” he said, his eyes glimmering at her. “Ye know it hurts my heart tae see ye go, but I know deep down that it is something ye must do. I dunna blame ye for wanting tae go with yer husband. But for yer old da’s peace of mind, I’m sending Ewan and Ossian with ye tae ride escort. I want my grandson well protected. Will ye let them go with ye?”
He was asking gently, which broke down Isadora’s resistance. She didn’t want her brothers tagging along, but she could see that it meant a good deal to her father. They had always protected her, even if that protection had been peppered with brotherly harassment. She looked at Cam for his response and when he simply shrugged, letting her know that it was her decision, she returned her attention to her father.
“If it’ll stop ye from weeping intae yer pillow every night, I suppose they can go,” she said, eyeing her brothers. Her next words were directed at them. “But my husband is in command. Ye’ll listen tae him or I’ll send ye home.”
Ewan and Ossian nodded solemnly. They had become accustomed to Cam over the months and had grown to respect him a great deal. The feeling was mutual, so Cam took no issue with them accompanying him and Isadora to Edinburgh. In fact, he welcomed it.
“They’ll behave,” Cam told her, giving her a squeeze. “If they dunna, then once we reach The Cal, I’ll tell Axel tae put them in the arena with the trainees. Those lads have something tae prove.”
Isadora bit off a grin as Ewan’s eyes widened. “Ye wouldna dare!” he declared.
Cam shrugged lazily. “I am going tae train men,” he said. “I’ll need men for them tae train against. Just stand there and look frightened, just as ye are now. That’ll feed their bloodlust.”
Ewan opened his mouth to retort but Isadora’s soft laughter stopped him. He knew Cam was jesting, but the very idea of that threat was terrifying. Still, a smile tugged at his lips.
“Not if I can outrun them,” he said. “The more frightened I am, the faster I run.”
They were all laughing now. Cam returned his attention to Niall. “I’ll take yer offer of an escort and welcome,” he said.“But we intend tae leave before sunrise. Make sure yer lads are ready.”
Niall nodded. Now that their business was concluded, his focus inevitably turned to his daughter. His expression was bittersweet. “I was hoping my grandson would be born in Auchnacree,” he said, putting his hand over his heart. “I was hoping tae see the lad before I pass on.”
