Page 89 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“Two of the best soldiers ye could ever ken,” Michael said. “Aaden is the man at arms in Kyven’s clan. Elliot is a soldier in Laird Buchanan’s clan who came to the McDowell’s fer a short while. Fine men.”

“Why thank ye.” Elliot bowed flamboyantly. “I am just glad Aaden got a message tae me when he did.”

“Ye sent Aaden word where we were?” Kyven asked, her hand shaking as she curled it softly around Michael’s arm.

“I did. When we were at the inn,” he whispered to her.

“Thank God,” she murmured, a relieved smile spreading across her lips.

“Something told me in yer message that Shay may nae let ye two go easily. It seemed wiser tae bring together two armies tae come and rescue ye. I didnae ken there would be a third.” Aaden smiled at Brayden and Tynan. “Michael, this is when ye complete the introductions.”

Michael smiled, watching the surprise on Elliot’s face.

“That’s his real name, by the way,” Aaden added, noting the surprise too.

“These are me brothers.” Michael gestured to them each in turn. “Tynan, who I now owe me life too, and Laird Brayden Gregor.”

Elliot’s jaw dropped as Aaden saluted in greeting.

“Couldnae ye have explained any of this on our ride here?” Elliot asked wildly.

“Eh, it would have slowed us up.” He shrugged.

“Thank ye fer yer help.” Brayden bowed his head in acknowledgement. “I think it’s time we spread the word of Shay’s arrest, tae make sure that none of his men still stand fighting. Aye?”

“Aye, we’ll help,” Elliot said with a nod.

Aaden waited just long enough to smile at Michael and Kyven, then followed after the two of them.

Michael took the opportunity to turn to his brother and embrace him, as gently as he could, bearing in mind the injury.

“Ye saved me life, Tynan.”

“Well, ye did the same fer me once, didnae ye?” Tynan said with a smile. “Ye were right, brother. Shay is a man who sees through his threats. We cannae say that neither Brayden nor I wouldnae have died when he first made his threat. At least now,” he paused, and glanced back at where Shay was being dragged out by two soldiers, “we are all safe.”

“Aye, we are.” Michael turned to the healer nearby. “Betsy, watch over him.”

“Och, aye,” she laughed at him. “I’ve been taking care of ye all since ye were wee boys. He’s safe in me care. Ye take care of that lass gripping yer arm so tightly.”

Michael smiled and nodded at her, then pulled Kyven off to the side of the room. He embraced her another time, needing to be absolutely certain that she was well and not injured.

“Thank ye,” Kyven whispered. “Fer everything.”

“Dinne thank me.”

“There is everything tae thank ye fer.”

“If I hadnae come tae yer clan in the first place, I may nae have brought this danger on ye.”

“Dinnae talk like that. Shay would have come someday.” She pulled far enough back from their embrace for Michael to look her in the eye. They were wet with unshed tears, but she looked truly happy, even overawed. “Ye saved me from him. Thank ye, Michael.”

To hear his true name on her lips again meant everything. He bent toward her, perhaps sharing the most tender kiss they had ever had. Her hands curled around his biceps, and he held on tight to her, having no intention of letting her go.

“Ye realize what this means, of course,” she said as they pulled back from one another.

“That there is a heavy clean up needed here. I’ll need tae help me brothers with the soldiers.”

“Aye, and I’ll help with the healing. But I meant that the suitor me council chose will now be in a dungeon. They cannae make me marry him anymore.” She shook his head. “I’m in need of a new suitor, Michael. A husband…” She smiled so greatly that Michael’s heartbeat thudded against his chest.