Highlander Oath of the Beast (Highland Promise Trilogy 3)

“Give her over, Da,” Royden said and her da reluctantly let her go to share her with the family.

Raven found herself wrapped in her oldest brother’s large, muscled arms and she fought back tears, refusing to cry. She also fought against the memory of that day of the attack. The day that was meant to be joyous. The day meant to unite Royden and Oria in marriage, but never got the chance. The day she had watched her brother lose his hand.

“You are good, Raven?” Royden asked, easing her at arm’s length to look her over and see for himself.

“Aye, Royden. I’m good,” she confirmed, but saw doubt in his eyes and she knew that he wondered how much truth there was to her words.

She was suddenly grabbed out of Royden’s grasp and wrapped in her brother Arran’s arms. He was lean and more muscular than she recalled, but still the handsome devil he’d always been.

“This motley crew of yours better not have done you harm in any way or they will not live to see another day,” he whispered in her ear.

Raven struggled to free herself enough from her brother’s tight grasp to look him in the eye. “I will not see them harmed. They were, and continue to be, the family I missed and longed for these last five years.”

It was answer enough for now, though Arran didn’t like that she had avoided confirming that no one had harmed her. In time, he’d learn the truth and make anyone who caused her pain suffer.

“My turn,” Oria said and hurried her arms around Raven. “I am so happy you are finally home. I have missed you.”

Raven forced a smile. She’d let them be happy for this short time. They would learn soon enough.

“I have missed you as well,” Raven said and patted Oria’s protruding stomach. “You and my brother have been busy.”

Oria blushed. “The first of many.”

“It’s good to know the MacKinnon Clan will grow and flourish,” Raven said and looked to Wren. “And that you will have a wise healer here to see that you deliver safely.”

Wren stepped forward with a smile that faded when Raven hugged her.

“I can see you know. Say nothing,” Raven warned with a whisper.

Wren nodded to confirm as she said, “It is so good to have you home.”

Raven turned to Purity, standing off on her own and the two young women hurried to each other, their arms reaching out and grabbing hold to hug tight.

“You remained a good friend, Purity,” Raven whispered.

“Always,” Purity said, not able to stop her tears from falling. “And somehow I got the man I loved. Your brother Arran and I are wed.”

Raven stepped away from Purity and turned a wicked grin on Arran. “You know you don’t deserve her.”

“Aye, but she took pity on my poor soul and wed me anyway,” Arran said with a chuckle.

“Lucky you,” Raven said.

Arran’s warm and loving glance went to his wife. “Something I tell myself every day.”

“Praise the Lord, you’re home!”

Raven turned her attention to the top of the keep steps and ran up them to give and receive another loving hug, this time from Bethany. She might be the keep cook, but she was more than that to Raven. She was the closest thing to the mother she never got to know, her mum living only long enough after giving birth to bestow a name on her.

“You are beautiful just like your mum,” Bethany said through tears. “She would have been as proud of you as I am. I knew you’d survive and return home. You’re too stubborn not to.”

Raven walked down the steps with Bethany in tow. She glanced around to all of them as questions fell rapidly from their lips and she answered vaguely, at least for now. The years had changed them just as they had changed her. Her da looked good, though he was thinner than she remembered and he had aged enough for her to notice. Arran’s tongue wasn’t as charming and witty as it had once been. More serious thought had left permanent lines on his brow, a reminder of the pain he had suffered. Royden was bigger, more muscular than he’d once been and his dark eyes more attuned to all that went on around him. He would not be caught unaware again. Oria’s face bore the scar she had seen her get during the attack on the clan and her bravery still astonished Raven, as did Purity’s. If it hadn’t been for Purity’s courage, Raven’s da would have died.

“Enough! Enough!” Parlan announced. “We go inside and celebrate Raven’s return home.”

“There’s food aplenty,” Bethany said and rushed up the steps and into the keep to see it served.

“My crew will join us. I want you to meet them,” Raven said with a nod to the men who dismounted at her signal.