Page 52 of Highland Sky

“What does that mean? We ken each other well now since we’ve been intimate together.”

“I’m no’ talkin’ about just couplin’. I dinna feel that I ken who ye are, really. Or who I am, for that matter.”

“Nash, ye are confusin’ me. Why dinna ye just come right out and say what ye mean instead of playin’ these doitit word games with me?”

“Aye, I will. Kellina, ye were verra angry about the MacKeefes killin’ yer parents, and had no qualms in lettin’ me ken that.”

“I still am! We’re talkin’ about my parents’ lives, Nash. How could I no’ be angry?”

“But . . . I’m a MacKeefe, lass. If ye dinna get over this soon, it will always come between us.”

“Nay. That’s no’ true. Ye’re my husband. That is different.”

“True, we are married. But what is goin’ to happen when we go back to live with the MacKeefes? How will ye feel about them then?”

“Live with the MacKeefes?” Her brows dipped. “Why would we do that?”

“Kellina, I am goin’ home sooner or later. Ye had to have realized that. I am only here for a short while to work off my punishment. I want to be accepted once again back into my clan.”

“But I – I just thought we’d live with the MacKenzies now that we’re married. This is where I belong.”

“Mayhap, but it is no’ where I belong,” he told her, seeing her disposition starting to darken. “I am goin’ back to the MacKeefes soon. I canna leave my clan.”

“Nash, I dinna ken if I can do that.” She started to look panicked now. “How can I live with the people who murdered my parents? How can ye even think I would?”

“Ye just have to accept it, Kellina. These things happen, unfortunately, but our clans have an alliance now because of our marriage. Ye canna let it affect ye the rest of yer life.”

“How can ye be so insensitive?” she snapped. “If ye were in my position, ye would feel the same way.”

“Would I?” he asked, feeling perturbed by her lack of sensitivity now. “My parents were killed as well, Kellina. I ken verra well what ye are feelin’, so dinna ever say that.”

“I’m sorry. I didna ken yer parents were dead. Still, it is different, Nash. It’s no’ like ye’re marryin’ someone from the murderin’ side, the way I was forced to do.”

Before Nash could respond, loud voices could be heard from down below.

“Somethin’s wrong,” said Nash, getting up and looking out over the hills. “I think someone from yer clan has arrived at the gates.”

“My clan?” Kellina got up and looked down, squinting her eyes to see. “That is Fergus, Tomas’ guid friend. I wonder why he’s here.”

“Let’s go find out.” They made their way off the roof, and ran back to camp to find Fergus talking with Shaw.

“Ah, there ye are,” said Fergus, running over to meet them. “Kellina, ye must come back at once.”

“Why?” she asked. “Has somethin’ happened to our camp? Have we been attacked again?”

“Yer uncle has taken a turn for the worse,” he informed her. “I think his leg as well as his side is infected from his wounds. The infection seems to have spread through his body and made its way to his lungs as well. He is spittin’ up blood and the life drains from him quickly.”

“Och, nay!” cried Kellina, putting her hand to her mouth. When she pulled it away, Nash saw her bottom lip trembling. “Jamie, Caitlin,” she shouted. “Get our things together, quickly. We must leave right away.”

“My men have already loaded the wagon with the thatch for ye,” said Shaw. “I will have a few men from my clan escort ye back to yer camp as well.”

“There’s no need for that,” said Nash. “My brathair and I will protect Kellina and her siblin’s. Plus, we’ll have Fergus to watch our backs. We’ll take the trail Spring showed us, and there shouldna be any problems at all.”

“What’s happenin’?” asked North, walking up, munching on an apple.

“North, we need to return to the MacKenzie Clan right away,” Nash told him. “It seems their chieftain is dyin’.”

“He’s dyin’ and he insisted on talkin’ to ye two before he passes,” Fergus told Kellina and Nash.