Chapter Four
Loki
Alex knows Loki’s value, but the younger man does not.
Loki was adopted as a child, but now that he’s grown to adulthood, he begins to
question his value. Does he truly belong at Clan Grant? Did he deserve someone like Bella?
It’s Alex who sees his struggles for exactly what they are, and forces him to do something
he doesn’t wish to do.
The next day, Loki stood in the middle of the solar, tapping his foot as he waited for the inquisition…or whatever this would turn out to be. He’d rather be back in the forest trying to fight off five reivers than standing in front of these five people.
His da stood at one end of the room with Laird Alex Grant and Uncle Robbie, while Uncle Logan and Aunt Gwyneth stood on the other. These were five of the people he admired most. He’d do anything rather than disappoint them.
Was the day finally here? Had his welcome faded from Clan Grant? It was what he had always feared.
Loki’s mother had tried to nurse his wounds before he was called into the solar, but he’d just pushed her away. He could not allow himself to be coddled anymore.
He kneaded his hands in front of him to try to hide the slight tremors.
Alex, still the tallest and most braw warrior in the clan, spoke first. “If you want the lass as your wife, lad, just say the word.”
Loki stared at the floor and clasped his hands behind his back. “My thanks, my laird, but her sire does not consider me an acceptable husband.”
“I do not care what her sire wants. I’ll see that it happens if ‘tis what you and Arabella want.”
Loki gritted his teeth. “I wish to earn her sire’s respect, and if I cannot, then we shall not marry.”
A voice came over his shoulder from someone he had not seen enter the solar. His mother. “Loki, I know you have felt the need to prove your worth to your clanmates over the last few years, but you do not need to prove it to us. We all know your worth.”
Brodie added, “None know your worth more than we do, lad. They’ve not seen you in action. We have. Everyone in this chamber has seen what you can do. You are deserving of the lass, but if you do not act soon, she will probably seek another.”
Loki didn’t answer, mostly because he couldn’t.
He wished to say so many things about how unfair and unreasonable Bella’s sire was, but it was impossible to do so with his mother in the room.
He would never, ever disrespect her. When he had nicknamed her missy angel in his youth, he’d had no idea how close to an angel she was.
Now he did.
“Do you have feelings for her?” Alex asked. “Or is there another?”
Another? Shite, nay. Remembering his mother was near, he replied, “Nay, there is no other.”
His sire asked again, “So your feelings are for Bella?”
Feelings? How the hell could he answer that?
Of course, he knew what his uncle meant, but a part of Loki was not sure what to say.
He’d spent the first seven years of his life with no feelings at all.
The only thing he’d ever felt was hunger.
He recalled almost every moment of his life in that wicked crate.
He’d lived with rats and mice and bugs, and dug through the trash thrown out of tavern windows…
But Bella, Bella made him wish for all the things he wasn’t quite certain he deserved.
“Loki?”
Not knowing how to express himself, he mumbled, “I do not have feelings…”
Alex made his pronouncement. “Then it’s settled.
We’ll not question you anymore about this.
But you are to stay away from Bella. Understood?
She’s free to choose another. You’ve had your chance and you’ve turned it away.
” Immediately, he heard the door close behind him.
His mother had left. His sire soon followed.
Loki stayed rooted to the floor. He had no wish to see his mother cry.
Logan moved over to his side of the room. “Then we’ll take him in training for the crown if you are agreeable, Laird.”
Alex’s narrowed gaze focused on Loki. “Aye, take him. His hot head will get him in trouble. Loki, before you go…” Alex tipped his head toward the door.
“You know how you’ve hurt your mother. I expect you to mend this.
I recall how foolish young lads are. ‘Tis why I’m ordering you to say goodbye to your parents before you leave. ”
Loki frowned. “I’d be happy to pen her a note.”
“Loki, you did not hear me. You will speak to her before you leave. Lad, I know you’ve not had the easiest life, but no one could care for you more than Brodie and Celestina do.
” His voice softened. “I believe you know that, but you’re young, and my guess is you must work through this in your own way.
I’m forcing you not to be too heartless along the way.
You’ll speak kindly to your mother before you leave, or I swear, I’ll hunt you down. Understood?”
Loki swallowed before answering. “Aye, my laird. My thanks for all you’ve done.” His uncle was the last man he wished to anger.
“Do not thank me, thank your parents. They are the ones who brought you home. And this is your home, lad. I trust you’ll discover that in your own way. There will always be a place for you in Clan Grant.”
Logan turned to Loki. “Go see your parents. We’ll be leaving before first light on the morrow.”