Pledged to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 1)

Oria didn’t hesitate. It had been her mum’s chair and she recalled sitting on her lap and listening to endless tales of brave Highland warriors and strong Highland women.

“Our mother is a good mother as well. Every day she prayed to the gods that you were kept well and that you were loved. She was so pleased and relieved to know that her prayers had been answered.”

It was strange to hear her say our mother, but Oria made no comment. She took Wren’s advice and listened.

“She so looks forward to meeting you and is quite upset that our brother, Wolf, forbid it until things were settled here. He felt it wouldn’t be safe for her or me to travel here until then. Our father agreed with him, the plan to reclaim our land having taken years to execute and with you being safe, neither felt there was any reason to risk failure.”

Oria was actually grateful for that decision. She didn’t know what she would have done if she’d been swept away from the only place she’d known as home and risk Royden never finding her.

“I must admit I was thrilled when plans were suddenly changed and Trevor was ordered to come here and establish a home with me. Móoir, mother in our language, and I talked endlessly about me meeting with you. The one thing she wanted you to know was how her heart broke when you were taken from her. How she missed you suckling at her breast and the way you would curl your tiny finger around hers and hold on tight even as you slept, as if you knew you didn’t have much time with her. She so loves you. We all do.”

Oria fought back tears, hearing the pain her abduction had caused her family, that was foreign to her yet loved her so much.

Not knowing what to say, she let her thought speak aloud for her. “I don’t know any of you.”

“I realize it will take time for you to accept us as family and so does Móoir, not so much Wolf. To him you are family and he was more than upset when your King and our King ordered him to release your husband, his brother, and the clan warriors that had been taken captive.”

“I didn’t know that,” Oria said. “Why did they do that?”

“Wolf refused to say. I only know that plans changed after that and while our brother will get what he wants—the land that is ours—how he obtains it won’t be as he planned.”

“You know nothing of why that is?” Oria asked.

“No, and neither does Trevor or so he says. It seems Wolf was sworn to secrecy by both Kings.”

“You think your husband keeps the truth from you?” Oria asked.

“Trevor and Wolf have been friends since they could walk. They confide everything in each other. I can’t believe Wolf didn’t tell him all of it, but I also know if he gave our brother his word not to say anything, then Wolf’s secret is safe with him.”

“Secrets, promises,” — Oria shook her head— “I’ve had enough of them.”

“I’ve always resented being sent from the room when the men gathered to discuss things,” Demelza said. “Mother wasn’t. She’d entered whether invited or not and Father never chased her out. She told me one day I would be given the same respect, but that day hasn’t come. I believe it’s because my petite size makes me appear fragile and so everyone thinks they need to protect me. I may be petite, but I’m not weak. I am like our grandmother, the one born here in the Highlands. She was petite and stronger than any woman I have ever known. She dared to love a Norseman and dared to believe that one day the land that had belonged to her clan and had been unjustly taken away, would one day belong to her family once again.”

“Seanmhair, grandmother in our language,” Oria said, a strength rising in her that Scot blood still ran through her.

“I believe our seanmhair would be proud of us both,” Demelza said.

“I believe you’re right,” Oria agreed with a smile. “I also believe our husbands are discussing things right now that we should hear for ourselves.”

Demelza sighed. “I agree, but Trevor would never permit it.”

“I have a friend who taught me how to sneak and have a listen without being caught. Shall we see what we can find out for ourselves?” Oria challenged with a grin.

“I never got to sneak about on my own when I was young. Wolf always kept a watchful eye on me.” She chuckled. “Though when Trevor and I fell in love we found a way to keep it from my brother, certain he wouldn’t approve.”

“What happened when he found out?” Oria asked, knowing how ruthless the Beast could be.