Page 34 of Highland Sky

Kellina walked upthe hill to the MacKenzies’ graveyard, just as the sun was starting to set on the horizon.

“This is where we buried the dead from the battle,” Kellina told Spring, blessing herself as she looked out at the grave markers. “The chieftain’s wife and daughters are buried here, too.”

“I see,” Spring answered. “Deaths in a battle are never easy to accept. Especially if the ones to die were lassies who were probably unarmed and unable to even protect themselves.”

“I miss my aunt and cousins.” Kellina felt tears form in her eyes as she stared down at the ground. “I still miss my parents, as well, even though I was verra young and dinna remember them much at all.”

“It’s never easy,” remarked Spring.

“Have ye seen yer share of death?” asked Kellina, admiring Spring for her strength.

“I have.” Spring kept her face stonelike and nodded slightly. “This bow and arrows I use came from a dead Scot on the battlefield durin’ Burnt Candlemas. I was only a wee lass at the time, and I will never forget it.”

“I learned to wield the sword as a child,” said Kellina. “It was right after the MacKeefes killed my parents. I swore at seven years old I would someday make them pay for what they did. I still stand by it, too. They need to be responsible for their actions.”

“Do ye really feel that way?” Spring’s brows dipped. “Even though ye’re married to a MacKeefe now and have an alliance with them?”

“Aye. Especially since I had to marry one of them.”

“Oh, I understand it all now.” Spring nodded and looked out over at the setting sun.

“What do ye understand?” asked Kellina. “My hatred for the MacKeefes?”

“Nay. I’m talkin’ about the fact that ye never consummated yer marriage.”

“What?” Kellina’s heart jumped into her throat. “Of course, I consummated the marriage. I mean . . . Nash is my husband, and then there’s the alliance and all. Why would ye even think I havena?”

Spring turned and looked directly at her. “Ye may be able to fool yer uncle and the rest of the men, but no’ me, Kellina. I’m a woman and can see right through ye.”

“Losh me! How did ye ken?” Kellina felt scared but impressed at the same time. This woman almost seemed to be able to read her mind. “I havena told a soul. Did ye hear it from Nash? I swear, I’ll kill him for sayin’ somethin’.”

“Stop it.” Spring took Kellina’s arm, still staring into her eyes. “I kent ye never coupled with Nash, because if ye did, I dinna think ye’d still want to kill him.”

“Why no’?” she asked. “Just because I’m married to a MacKeefe, it doesna change the way I feel about him.”

“Even the hardest and strongest of warriors often have a change of heart once love is shared between two people.”

“What are ye sayin’? I dinna love Nash!” She shook out of Spring’s hold.

“Are ye sayin’ ye have no feelin’s for him at all? Be honest with yerself. After all, he seems like a guid man.”

“I was forced to marry him against my will!” Kellina felt her anger growing. “Just because my uncle wants the alliance, doesna mean I do.”

“Perhaps yer uncle sees things differently than ye do about the MacKeefes. After all, if he really thought they were bad or untrustworthy, I dinna think he’d even suggest the alliance in the first place. Would he?”

“Ye were married off to yer husband for an alliance. Did either one of yer clans really trust each other?”

“Nay. I canna say we did,” she admitted. “But it didna take me long being with Shaw to see that the Gunn Clan was wrong about the Gordons. Mayhap this is the same situation, in a way, between the MacKenzies and the MacKeefes.”

“My uncle is injured and weak,” Kellina told her. “He’s lost his wife and daughters and he isna thinkin’ with a right mind. He has lost all hope, and canna lead the clan any longer. That’s what this is all about.”

“Do ye really believe that? Because those are harsh and disrespectful words about yer clan’s chieftain.”

“What I believe is that the MacKeefes need to be punished for what they did. No alliance with them – forced or otherwise – is ever goin’ to make me think differently.”

“I’m no’ so sure yer uncle is wrong, Kellina. Have ye spoken to him about his reasons for makin’ the alliance in the first place?”

“I ken his reason. He’s scared! He’s lost his wife and daughters to the Sutherlands, and couldna protect them. He kens he is a weak laird and will lose the entire clan next.”