Highlander Oath of the Beast (Highland Promise Trilogy 3)

“Raven is strong,” Purity whispered, knowing her husband’s thoughts by the worrisome frown on his handsome face. Unfortunately, it didn’t ease his worry.

Royden reached for his wife to draw her close. “You will stay near.”

Oria felt his worry, his muscles tightening as she rested against him. The failure to protect his sister had resulted in his constant worry of keeping her safe and more so since she had gotten with child. She understood and she prayed that Raven’s eventual return home would ease much of that worry.

Six riders approached the keep, Angus walking in the lead with several clansmen following alongside the small group and behind them. All the riders wore cloaks. Three wore their hoods pulled down over part of their faces while the other three didn’t seem to mind the snow and cold that stung their cheeks red.

Arran took note of the one fellow who was rail-thin and had droopy eyes, as if he was unconcerned with his surroundings. He moved to stand beside his brother, keeping his wife to his other side and whispered, “The thin one watches without watching.”

Royden kept his voice low and his eyes on the approaching group. “The dark-eyed one with the fine features has two knives at his waist and two in each boot.”

“And the red-haired, bearded man’s dark eyes are more cunning than curious,” Arran said.

Royden’s hand went to the dagger tucked in the sheath at his waist at the same time Arran’s hand went to the hilt of his sword that hung at his side. There might be only six, but six skilled men could cause pain and suffering before they could be subdued.

Royden saw that his da was oblivious to any possible danger. His only concern was to learn from the group of misfits what he could about his daughter. And Royden wanted to make sure his da could do that without incident.

Royden signaled Angus to bring the group to a stop a safe distance from them and he did, forcing the riders to come to a halt behind him.

Two of the three whose hoods covered a good portion of their faces pushed their hoods back.

“Clive!” Oria called out, happy to see the man who had posed as a merchant to bring word of Raven to her through the years.

Purity followed, smiling, pleased to see the soft-spoken man who had delivered messages to her in the woods where she had spent the last five years. “George!”

“You joined a group of thieves, George?” Arran challenged.

“Leave it to the likes of you to belittle my men,” came the female voice.

Arran’s brow narrowed, trying to place the voice that sounded familiar.

“Good God, have you grown that lazy in thought that you don’t know my voice?” the female challenged.

Royden broke out in a huge grin.

“OH MY, GOD, you haven’t changed a bit, Raven!” Arran called out, a big smile breaking out across his face.

“Raven?” Parlan asked as if not sure he’d heard right as tears sprang to his eyes, and he hurried forward.

The woman dismounted with speed and agility and she pushed her hood back as she rushed to her da.

Parlan stopped in his tracks, his hand going to cover his mouth as tears ran down his cheeks. His hand fell away to spread his arms wide. “My God, Raven, you’re even more beautiful than your mother.”

Royden stared at their sister. Raven had barely been entering womanhood when the attack on the clan occurred. She’d been full of mischief and curiosity, and a good amount of stubbornness. And her features then gave evidence to the beauty she might become, but she had surpassed what Royden expected. Raven’s beauty was breathtaking. Her long, black hair shined like the wings of a raven, which had earned her her name. One look at the thatch of shiny black hair when Raven was born had her mum naming her after the beautiful bird. Her stunning blue eyes captivated, adding to her overall beauty. She’d also grown, standing taller than most women and from what he could see, she was slender. She showed no signs of physical suffering. Quite the opposite, she appeared fit. And his heart swelled with relief when he watched his sister fall into their da’s arms.

Overwhelming joy filled Raven, feeling her da’s arms wrap tight around her. She had hoped, dreamed, and planned for this day, the bittersweet thought of it always tearing at her heart. This time it was real. Her da’s arms were actually around her. It wasn’t a dream. He was hugging her tight as he had done countless times when she was a young lass.

“You’re home. You’re finally home,” Parlan said, keeping his daughter snug in his arms, fearful of letting her go, fearful of losing her again.

Raven lingered in her da’s embrace, it having been far too long since she’d felt his warmth and love. She had hungered for it over the past five years and she wanted to linger in it as long as she could since time was short.