Pledged to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 1)

“I am lucky to have a wife who knows me so well. You can resume your chores tomorrow,” Royden said. “And congratulations, Penn, on the birth of a fine son.”

“Thank you, sir, and I can’t thank you enough for your kind generosity,” Penn said.

“I told you the Clan MacKinnon is a loyal and decent clan who never fail to look out for one another. That was why Oria helped us so much through the last few years. Though fate stole her wedding day from her, she was still part of the Clan MacKinnon and she never forgot it,” Emily said, tears filling her eyes. “We’re proud she’s finally where she belongs, wife to Chieftain Royden and Mistress of the Clan MacKinnon.” Emily lifted her arm, holding the bairn up. “Chieftain Royden, please come and see the first Clan MacKinnon clansmen born since your return home.”

Royden walked over and peered down at the bairn. He was so small and yet he would grow into manhood as all lads do, and it was his responsibility to make certain he had a good and powerful clan to call family. And to produce a fine lad of his own to keep the MacKinnon clan strong.

“He is a fine bairn. You should be proud, Penn,” Royden said.

“I am, sir,” Penn said with a gleeful smile.

Oria and Royden left the cottage, Calla and Sara leaving shortly after them.

“You look tired,” Royden said and took her hand as he used to do so often and instinctively. His fingers closed around hers and he felt a catch to his gut when her fingers gripped his, welcoming the clasp of his hand.

“I admit I was worried about mother and child,” she said, relieved to voice her doubt.

“But it worked well,” Royden reminded.

“Much better than I feared it would,” she said with a sigh and rested her head on Royden’s shoulder for a moment as they continued walking to the keep.

He’d never found himself at a loss of words with Oria, but at the moment he didn’t know what to say since there was so much that needed to be said between them. Now was not the time, though. She was tired and no good would come of a discussion.

He thought of safer ground to be discussed, and said, “I received word on Arran.”

She gasped and tugged at his hand. “Tell me. Is he well? Is he coming home?”

“Aye to all from what the leper told me.”

“Leper?” she asked, tilting her head to look at him.

“A leper arrived here shortly after we spoke and delivered a message from Arran, letting me know he’d be home in a month or more.”

“Why so long?”

“He has a matter that needs his attention?” Royden said.

“What matter?”

“The leper didn’t say, though from what he did say I surmised it has to do with Raven,” Royden said.

Concern sprang to her eyes and voice. “Any idea what that may be?”

“No, the leper gave no indication of any more information and I don’t believe Arran would have offered any more in fear of not knowing if it would bring harm to Raven. My greatest hope is that when Arran returns home, he has Raven with him.”

Oria hated keeping things from her husband, but she had made a promise. Though, part of the promise was no longer necessary. Unfortunately, both parts were connected. She had to find a way to slip into the woods and at least bring relief to one of his worries.

“You say a leper brought you this information?” Oria asked.

“Aye, he camps in the woods by the tangled tree for no more than two days. Does it bother you that I allowed him to rest here?” he asked, seeing a troubled look on her face.

“No, not at all. The poor man should have a safe place to rest. I just wonder…” She tilted her head and her brow scrunched as she looked upon him. “There was a leper who often stopped at Learmonth on his way to the Stitchill Monastery. He and Burnell would talk. I met him only once. His name is Noble, Brother Noble. I wonder if it is him.”

“Odd that he travels the roads? He’d be safer and well cared for if he remained at the monastery.”

“Gossip suggests he carries messages between the different monasteries. Another is that he searches for the witch healer in the hope that she will cure him.”

“I recall the day the witch spoke to my sister and frightened her with her prediction of troublesome times and a long separation before our family would be reunited. Her prophecy has been accurate thus far. Has anymore ever been heard from the witch?”

It hurt her to continue to lie to him, but until she could be sure it was safe to break her promise, she had no choice. Though, she phrased it so it was no lie. “No more prophecies that I recall hearing.”