Highland Intrigue - A Prequel

“You should not have done this,” Annis scolded, not fighting the tears that soaked her cheeks.

The pain of her sisters’ tears ripped at Bliss like a sharp knife. “There was no other way to keep you both safe.”

“We will never see you again,” Elysia said, her head drooping with the painful knowledge.

Bliss used the edge of her shawl to wipe away Elysia’s tears. “Once I settle in my new home, I will see how things are there. I hope there will be a way for you both to join me, but I don’t know if that will be possible or even how long it might take to see it done.”

Annis fisted her hands at her sides. “What if there isn’t any time?”

“You must be patient,” Bliss urged, fighting her churning stomach that warned patience might not be of any help.

“Lord Rannick lost three wives,” Annis reminded what failed to be said. “How long do you think you will last wed to him?”

“Good Lord, Bliss, Annis is right,” Elysia said, realizing what it truly meant for Bliss to be wed to the cursed lord.

“Do you honestly believe the curse will not touch you?” Annis asked, angry that she had not paid mind to Bliss’s endless warnings about Brogan. Bliss should not have to suffer for her foolishness. She should have been the one to wed today.

“I will do my best to see that it doesn’t,” Bliss said, praying silently for the courage to do so.

“No, what you are doing is sparing Elysia and me from seeing what may happen to you,” Annis accused. “At least if I married Brogan my life would not have been in danger.”

“We don’t know that and I was not willing to take the chance,” Bliss said and shook her head when Annis continued to argue. “Please let it be, Annis. Wrong or right, it is done. You both need to find good husbands so you are not left vulnerable again, and hopefully we will all be together again one day.” She turned a gentle smile on Elysia. “I believe Saber would make you a good husband. I see the fondness in his eyes when he looks at you and how tender he is with you. Do not let his height and bulk intimidate you. He seems a good man and most importantly, he would keep you safe.” With tears brimming in her eyes once again, Bliss turned to Annis. “Mind your tongue the best you can and see that you both keep safe. You know where the coins are. Use them if needed.”

“You taught us well. We will survive and we will not stay apart long,” Annis said, reaching out to grasp Bliss’s hand, wanting to keep hold of her, not let go, but knowing she had no choice.

“It is time,” Bliss said. It didn’t matter what she faced when she met the cursed lord, nothing could be more painful than saying goodbye to her sisters.

They stood in a tight circle and hugged with strength and love. Tears fell and hearts could almost be heard breaking and the most difficult thing they did was let one another go.

Bliss went to the door, paused a moment before reaching for the latch, since once she stepped outside her life would change forever. She took a fortifying breath and opened the door and stopped, not taking a step, shocked by the amount of villagers lined along the pathway.

Annis took Bliss’s healing sack from her and Elysia slipped the other bundle from under Bliss’s arm. They kept a short distance behind her as people reached out, thanking her for her sacrifice. Women and daughters cried in sorrow for Bliss and relief for themselves, men bobbed their heads in respect, and prayers were promised for her. Their kindness touched Bliss’s heart.

Lawler and Cadell waited outside the keep beside their horses and a third horse waited as well. Brogan was nowhere to be seen.

Chieftain Emory approached Bliss before she reached Lawler and Cadell. “You do a brave thing for the Clan Loudon, Bliss. I am proud of you and I will make sure your sisters are kept safe.”

“Thank you, Chieftain Emory,” Bliss said, fighting the sorrow of her departure and the fear of what her decision would bring her.

“Come, we must be on our way,” Lawler ordered.

Cadell stepped forward and took the bundle from Annis and the one from Elysia and secured them to the horse Bliss would ride.

Bliss hurried to give her sisters one last hug and to assure them that all would be well, then without delay she let Cadell help her mount the horse. She sent a forced smile and a heartfelt wave to her sisters before turning away and following between Lawler and Cadell. She did not glance back for one last look, for fear of bursting into uncontrollable tears. Her sisters were safe and that was all that mattered.