“I go with her,” Brogan said, taking his wife’s hand in a firm grip.
“It is a senseless quest,” his father argued.
Brogan itched to confront his father with the truth that the MacWilliam lass had lived, but if it was discovered, word spread, she could be hunted down—death once again her fate.
“Think what you will, Father, it is a quest I intend to continue.”
“It is foolhardy of you to put your wife in such peril.” Lord Balloch shook his head. “What if she is with child?”
Annis was about to let him know he did not have to worry about that, but a tug from her husband’s hand had her holding her tongue.
“I will keep my wife safe,” Brogan said.
“From what I heard it was wolves that kept your wife safe,” his father argued. “What if next time the wolves turn on you? And what are you doing walking the witch’s land? It is an evil place, and you should avoid it.”
“I see someone has shared the news with you,” Brogan said, wondering if the person had done so willingly or had his father coerced the information from him, a thought he would need to keep in mind.
“My warriors know what will happen to them if they are not loyal to me,” his father confirmed.
“So that is why you allowed so many to reside here—to report all news to you,” Brogan said, wondering how many of his father’s warriors were truly loyal to him since he was such a hard taskmaster.
“You are my only son, my only child, I would be remiss in my duties as a father and leader of the clan not to see the heir to Clan MacRae kept safe.”
“The curse has seen to that for you. I have survived all manner of wounds and illnesses. You need not fear losing me.”
“You certainly have made sure to test that theory through the years,” his father accused. “And you continue to test it.” He shook his head. “There is no talking to you. No matter how many times I remind you of your duty, you ignore it. One day you will have no choice. I will be gone, and you will rule.”
“Aye, I will rule—my way,” Brogan said.
“Go then and do what you will since you refuse to see reason, but I would hurry if I were you if you believe your quest will end this curse, since word has reached me that Rannick’s new wife does not do well.”
“What to do you mean Bliss does not do well?” Annis demanded, a chill of fear turning her cold.
“I do not know the particulars, but it would not surprise me if Rannick had something to do with it since he swore that he would never wed again,” Lord Balloch said and cast a scowl on Annis. “Go and play your game. I just hope you are willing to pay the price it costs you.”
“Is that a threat, Da?” Brogan snapped.
“It is a warning. What happened when you, Odran, and Rannick began questioning the curse, looking for answers? Life worsened for all of you. The curse has been cast. The bairn is dead. Nothing can change that. I only want what Odran and Rannick’s fathers want, my son safe and for my clan to live on through him in spite of the bloody curse.”
Brogan wondered why his father continued to lie about the bairn being dead. Or didn’t he know the truth?
“Lord Lochlann and Lord Fergus and I have tried to find out about this unknown group of people who wishes to see the curse end with the death of our sons and our clans wiped from history. Lord Cowan was one of them.”
“Was?” Brogan asked.
Lord Balloch nodded. “He made the mistake of trying to harm Odran’s wife and he killed him.”
Annis’s stomach roiled, though she was grateful Lord Odran protected Elysia. At least she knew Elysia was safe with him, but then the way Saber, Lord Odran—would she ever get used to calling him by that name—looked at her sister anyone could tell he more than favored her.
“Try as we might, neither Lord Lochlann or Lord Fergus or I can seem to discover who leads this group who seeks to end this curse by seeing our sons dead.” He shook his head. “I cannot understand why Annis would be abducted unharmed. This group that threatens would want her dead so she would bear no heir. It makes no sense she was not harmed. Whoever leads this group hides his identity well and will stop at nothing to see victory.”
“After what has gone on the last few months, I reached the same conclusion,” Brogan said.
“And yet you still put your wife in harm’s way?” his father asked, annoyed.
Annis’s chin shot up. “No one—absolutely no one—will stop me from seeing my sisters kept safe.”