Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Ihave a surprise for ye, Skye,” Arran said as they entered the stables.
He looked around. Though he wished someday to build sturdier stone and wood stables, these ones served their purpose.
The thick, thatched roof kept out the rain and blocked the sun, keeping the inside cool in the summer.
During the winter, the horses’ body heat kept the stables warm when the doors were closed.
The structure was over seventy feet long and wide enough for stalls on two sides. Wooden rails divided the length of each side, making enough stalls for over twenty of Arran’s finest horses.
Together they walked to the stall at the back of the stables.
Inside was a gray dappled mare that pranced to the door when she saw Arran.
He reached into his pocket and produced an apple slice that she accepted greedily.
She then proceeded to nuzzle her velvety nose into his pocket, looking for more.
Skye laughed. “I thought she liked ye, with the way she pranced over here, but I see now it’s just the treats in yer pocket. She is a beauty, Arran. What is her name?”
“I’ve called her… Mare,” he said, grinning.
“Ye’ve nae named this magnificent creature, Arran? She’s breathtaking!”
She stroked the mare’s nose and then leaned her forehead against the horse’s and closed her eyes. Skye whispered to her, telling her how beautiful and regal she was and to also ignore brutish men with no common sense.
“She’s yers, Skye. Ye must be the one to name her.”
Skye looked up at her husband. “What? Mine? Are ye jesting, Arran?”
“Nay, she is yers. Callum will saddle her for ye now, and ye can think of a name for her.”
The look of surprise and joy on her face warmed his heart. He wished to surprise her and shower her with gifts again and again just to see her smile.
“I’ve already thought of one,” Skye replied. “I shall call her Iona.”
“It suits her.” He nodded with a smile.
Callum saddled Iona and then Arran’s horse.
“Does he have a name? Or do ye call him Horse or Mount?” she teased.
Arran smiled to himself, before saying, “Actually, I call him Devil.”
Skye’s eyes went wide. “Why do ye call him such a horrible name?” She looked around him at the ebony stallion and laughed at her innocent reaction.
The horse stood at least seventeen hands high at the withers. His long, graceful neck flowed seamlessly into his strong back. His heavily muscled shoulders led to a well-defined chest. His rear quarter was equally powerful. He was beautiful.
But then he pinned his ears, and poor Callum had to dodge a vicious bite to his arm while he adjusted the saddle. Arran looked at Skye with knowing eyes.
“Ah, I see now. He’s a bit ill-tempered,” she stated plainly.
“Ill-tempered, me arse!” Callum exclaimed. “Half the time, he’s sweet-natured, but that’s just to trick ye into thinkin’ ye can trust him. That’s when he’ll stomp ye to death, me Lady.”
“Callum is right, Skye. Ye can come anytime and ask for Iona. But stay away from Devil’s stall. Only Callum and I handle him.”
“Why him, then? If he’s so unruly?”
“Because he saved me many times. He turns on Callum from time to time, but never on me, and always on the eneme. He trusts nae one, and that’s a good guy to have around when entering uncharted territory.”
Skye agreed, and soon she and Arran were riding away from Castle MacArthur.
“I’ve never been this far west,” she admitted. “Maither and I ran to many places, but this is all new to me.”
“Aberray is at the edge of MacArthur lands and only a short ride to several ports. Because of that, ye can find things there that arenae available in most of the Highlands.”
They rode side by side, and often their legs brushed. Devil sometimes pinned his ears and threatened to nip Iona, but she tolerated no bullying from the high-spirited stud.
“Yer mare is brave,” Arran commented.
Skye laughed. “I’ve seen many studs humbled by a herd of broodmares. The ladies seem able to teach the males some manners. Maybe Iona will iron Devil out.”
“I hope nae.” Arran shook his head.
She was right, though. Arran himself had used the technique. An overbearing rank stud didn’t stand a chance in a herd of seasoned broodmares.
The time passed quickly, and they reached the outskirts of town a little past midday. They left the horses at a stable livery and set out on foot.
Arran was amused each time Skye ran from one shop or booth to another, finding treasures she’d only heard about.
“What a wonderful place!” she exclaimed over and over as she discovered the finest leather boots, delicate trinket boxes and jewelry, and even a shop selling rare flowers and plants. She picked a few items from each, looking totally delighted with each purchase.
Finally, they reached a shop selling dresses and clothing, bolts of fine fabric, as well as threads of all colors and thicknesses.
Skye wandered from bolt to bolt, delicately touching the linens and even some silk.
Thankfully, there was a fair selection of ready-made skirts, tunics, and even a new shift.
She left the shop with a skirt, shawl and shirt, as well as a linen dress dyed the color of a gold leaf in fall.
“Arran, Maither will love these! The colors are just bonnie!” She lifted the hem of her dress and started feeling around the circumference.
“What are ye doing, Skye?” he asked, looking around to see if anyone was watching.
“I’m getting me coins, Arran. I sewed them into the hem of me skirt for safe keeping.”
Resourceful.
“Ye daenae need to use yer coins, lass. Pick out the threads for yer maither—I will pay for them with the rest.”
He was rewarded with a wide smile.
“Thank ye, Arran,” she said warmly.
The shopkeeper wrapped their purchases in several layers of burlap and tied it with twine.
Skye and Arran left the shop, and he announced he had one more place he wanted to visit.
The storefront had no name on the door, but Skye knew immediately what was sold there as soon as Arran opened the door and she crossed the threshold.
“Herbs and spices, Arran!” she exclaimed. She moved from bin to bin and jar to jar, reading the label on each. “Foxglove, for an unsteady heart. Tormentil, for bleeding wounds. Bog mertle, for ulcers and lesions.”
“I’m just here to get Astrid some of her favorite spices, Skye. I daenae ken what ye are talking about,” he said good-naturedly.
Suddenly, Skye shrieked loudly, “Ava!”
Arran had his sword drawn at the same time he saw his wife embracing a young woman with sleek blond hair and large blue eyes. Both women were crying and talking at the same time.
Finally, when they calmed down, Skye turned to Arran. “Arran, this is me friend from Braewall, Ava. She taught me all I ken about healing.” She looked at her friend with admiration. “Ava, this is me… this is me husband, Arran Gilmore, Laird MacArthur.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open as he looked from Skye to Arran and back again. “It’s l-lovely to meet ye, me Laird,” Ava stammered in shock, bowing her head to him.
Arran nodded back to her politely.
Skye and Ava took a seat by the window of the shop, and Skye launched into a shortened account of everything that had happened since she disappeared from her former home.
“I’m so happy ye are finally safe,” Ava sighed in relief, squeezing her friend’s hands.
Arran was surprised to hear that Ava knew about Skye’s past, but it showed him how close they were.
“Come back with me, Ava. Maither is there, too. And healer or nae, ye shouldnae be living alone.”
She was not wrong. He was glad to hear that Skye saw his home as a refuge.
“Skye, ye are a good friend, and I thank ye for yer offer, but I am fine, really. The villagers in Braewell are very kind. And they’re keepin’ me busy to boot—three bairns comin’ in the next month alone. That’s why I’m here today, to buy herbs for their maithers.”
Brave, strong, independent. Arran saw the qualities that Skye admired in Ava.
“But, here, wait one minute,” Ava said as she reached into her bag, pulled out a beaded necklace, and handed it to Skye.
Skye took it in her hands, looking wonderingly at it. The sparkling stones reflected in her eyes.
“Ava, I cannae accept this,” she uttered, handing the necklace back to her friend. “It’s too valuable.”
Ava shook her head. “It is me wedding gift to ye, Skye. Take it, please.”
Skye hugged her friend tight.
Once more, Skye asked Ava to come back with her. “Ye can work as a healer, and Arran can keep ye safe.” She hesitated. “We’ll keep ye safe.”
“I will consider it, me friend,” Ava promised. After one last hug, she turned to Arran. “Look after me Skye, she is special.”
“I will, Ava. And ye are welcome anytime.”
They nodded to one another, and with one final look back at her friend, Ava was gone.
Arran watched as Skye’s expression turned sad, and he grew more curious about their relationship.
They left the shop and proceeded back to their horses. Arran noticed how people reacted around Skye, especially the men. More than once, he cast a threatening glare in the direction of a man who dared to look at her for too long.
Her beauty captivated him, so he should have been more understanding. It was difficult not to look at her. He considered for a moment to soften his stance.
Nay, I will thrash anyone looking her way.
“Why do ye look so sour, Arran?” Skye asked.
Arran looked down at her wistful smile and the long curls framing her face. She had no idea of her appeal. And that thought made his scowl deepen.
“A flower for yer lady, Sir?”
His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a woman carrying a huge basket of cut flowers. She smiled as she approached. Arran thanked her and accepted her offering, handing her a coin. Then he handed the rose to Skye.
“It’s very beautiful, Arran. Thank ye,” she said softly.
Once they were back on their way to the horses, he asked, “This woman, Ava, she is the other healer I heard the people in Braewell talk about?”
“Aye, she is. She taught me most of what I ken.”
Arran thought the woman was too young to be that experienced, but he kept that observation to himself.
They’d arrived at the livery. Iona and Devil had been watered, fed, and groomed—both looked content. They perked up when Arran spoke their names. Devil neighed a greeting.
Arran gave Skye a leg up onto the gray mare, and then fetched Devil and mounted.
“We will stop up ahead. I ken a place where we can eat that ye will like.”
Skye’s stomach growled in reply, and she followed his lead.
A few minutes later, Arran steered Devil off the road and down a well-trodden path into the forest, following the sound of trickling water.
The trees cleared, and they came upon a small pool fed by a bubbling brook. Greenery scattered all around them, fed by the water, and beautiful pink, purple and white flowers dotted the scenery. The sun broke through the tree branches in small streams, casting a magical glow on the scene.
Arran looked back at his wife to see her reaction and found a wondrous smile on her face.
“Ye are right! I do like it!” Skye exclaimed.
She pulled Iona to a stop and slid off her back without assistance. Then she grabbed the waterskin and bag that Astrid packed for them.
Beside the pool, a large, nearly flat rock made the perfect table, and Skye dug into the bag. Astrid had thought of everything. A clean square of cloth covered their makeshift table, and then Skye eagerly pulled out their lunch.
A loaf of crusty, round bread, two hunks of cheese, dried meat, and two shiny red apples were placed before him.
His stomach growled, and Skye laughed.
“All the shopping has left me famished,” she noted as she tore off a piece of bread, took a bite, and then grabbed an apple.
Arran watched as she bit into the apple and the juice ran down her chin. He fought the urge to grab her by the back of her neck, pull her close, and lick every drop off her lips.
“I am hungry as well, lass,” he said seductively.
Skye froze even though she was still eating, and she looked him in the eye. “Ye want to… again? It hasnae even been a day.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“Ken this, Skye.” Arran leaned over and cupped her face in his hands. “I could taste yer sweetness every day.”
Her breathing quickened, and her eyes grew dark. He planted a languorous kiss on her lips, enjoying the sweet apple juice that remained there. Then he reluctantly broke the kiss. His lady needed sustenance, after all.
He flashed her a smile and then picked up an apple and some cheese.
“Ye’re a mystery to me, Arran.”
“I’ll reveal meself little bits at a time, just to keep ye interested,” he replied with a smirk.
Skye was silent then, and she focused on eating, but he saw her eyes wander as she took in the scenery around the pool and waterfall. She smiled at a butterfly when it landed on her knee and giggled at the antics of several squirrels that raced up and down the trees.
Arran was enchanted.
Once she’d eaten her fill, she took a long drink from the waterskin and then walked to the water’s edge and rinsed her hands.
She looked up at him and asked, “Is there time to explore, Arran?”
Arran nodded.
Skye walked around the water’s edge, picking some flowers, breaking twigs off a willow tree, and gathering leaves of various sorts. .
Arran raised an eyebrow when she started digging up a plant. “What are ye doing, wife?”
Skye looked up at him, lifted her muddy hands, and replied, “I need this mertle root for me tonics.”
She continued to dig and then pulled, and pulled some more, to no avail.
Arran finally took pity on her. He reached down and dug out the plant and its roots almost effortlessly. Skye smiled up at him.
Arran turned around and went to the horses. He tied their bag to his saddle, then took each horse to the pool and let them drink.
He enjoyed this quiet place often, the tranquil pool and the sound of the waterfall. It felt good to be back.
Suddenly, his blood turned to ice in his veins. Skye was gone!
“Skye!” he called, drawing his sword. “Skye!” he called again as he walked toward the water.
He heard her voice come from a thick wall of rushes just away from the water’s edge. “Dinnae ye dare come any closer!”
“Are ye all right? I looked up, and ye were gone. What are ye doing?” he asked, concerned. “And ye cannae tell me what I can and cannae do, Skye.”
“Well, if ye must ken, Arran,” she huffed, “I am relieving meself before we start the ride back.”
Arran felt foolish. Nonetheless, she needed to learn that she couldn’t disappear whenever she wanted.
“I’ll leave ye, then. But, wife, dinnae ever go where I cannae see ye. I dinnae trust Blackwell. And he’s nae the only threat, ye ken?”
Arran walked back to the flat rock, sat, and waited for Skye to return.
Suddenly he heard a tree branch snap, and he jumped up at the swoosh of a sword.