Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Alex Grant rode with a heavy heart. Not at his peak, he worried he’d fail his daughter and his wife, yet he pushed himself onward.
His side ached after being on horseback for so long, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle.
But how long could he swing his sword? He’d been practicing privately so as not to worry Maddie, but his strength had been slow to return.
He was no longer the best swordsman in the Highlands, and mayhap that title would never be his again.
Still, Alex had chosen his usual war garb, his leine and his red and black Grant plaid.
While some warriors fought in muted plaids, he wished for his enemy to remember him well.
Despite his lingering ailments, he was confident in their plan.
Logan had his archers all ready, and he knew his old friend would do his job well.
Numbers were in their favor as well. Aedan had offered to send men with them, but Alex had advised him to keep all his warriors at home to protect Lochluin Abbey and his land.
It comforted him to know that Maddie and his sisters were safe.
Then something miraculous happened. Alex led his warriors over the last hill on their way off Cameron land, only to see a sea of warriors waiting below him—there were blue Ramsay plaids, Menzie plaids, and he was quite sure he could see a slew of Drummond plaids, too.
There were horses everywhere and banners waving in the wind.
This stood for everything his clan had built over the years, all the friendships they had nurtured.
He glanced at his brothers to his right, both clearly feeling the same pride that swelled in his chest.
Together, they would get Kyla back and end Clan Buchan’s reign of terror.
Once in the valley, he held his hand up to halt his guards behind him so he could move forward to speak with the group of leaders who awaited him—Torrian, whose sire had already joined his side; Micheil; and Drew Menzie. “Any news of Kyla or Finlay?”
Micheil shook his head. “We’ll get them back, Alex. ‘Tis time for us to put an end to this treachery.”
Alex was about to speak when a noise interrupted him. He turned his head to see two of his warriors, one of them Finlay’s brother, escorting a young lad he didn’t recognize toward him. Though he looked small on his horse, he held his head high.
Fergus held onto the reins of the lad’s horse. “My laird, our pardon, but the lad says he can take you to Kyla.”
“Fergus, ‘tis probably a trap,” Alex rumbled. “Let him go.” He’d had enough of Simon de La Porte’s games.
“Your pardon, my laird,” Fergus said. “I think you should hear what the lad has to say.”
Alex glanced to his brothers and his sons. He knew Fergus was upset about Finlay’s situation. Could he really be objective? Connor, Loki, and Brodie all nodded at him, so he decided to listen. Besides, there was something about the boy that called to him. “Speak up, lad. Your name first.”
“My name is Gillie, and Finlay sent me here because I was assigned as Kyla’s protector.”
His words came out in a rush so fast that Alex could hardly understand him.
“My real name is Gilleasp, but everyone calls me Gillie, Finlay promised me that if I helped him he would bring me to Grant land to live because I don’t want to live with the Buchan anymore but I helped Finlay with the horses and we got Kyla out and he has her behind the waterfall and I’m to bring you to them and then he offered to take me with him to Grant land.
” He let his breath out and stared up at Alex.
“Are you truly Alexander Grant, the one who fought at the Battle of Largs?”
“I am, lad. Now tell me why I should believe you. How do I know Buchan did not send you to lead me into a trap?”
Gillie whispered, “Och, I almost forgot. Finlay said to tell you Inga and Uncle Geordie both helped him,” the lad paused. “And he said to give you this. Kyla said you would know them.”
Fergus took something out of the lad’s hand and handed it over to him. Alex opened his palm and stared at the necklace of pearls, the same ones he’d placed around his wife’s neck before they married. Maddie had told him she had given them to Kyla.
Chapter Seventeen
One of my all-time favorites. The one chapter that makes me cry. Every. Single. Time…
“Are those pearls not the ones you gave Maddie?” Brodie asked.
Alex nodded.
“You’re certain?”
“Aye.” He held the clasp up for Brodie to see. “I had the jeweler engrave it with FMG for Father MacGregor, who gave me the idea. Maddie adored him.”
He placed the pearls in his sporran and said, “Brodie, Jamie, you’ll come with me.
Jamie, choose ten other guards to join us.
” He saw Nicol out of the corner of his eye—the man had ridden up to speak with his son.
“You, too, Nicol.” He then turned to the lad and said, “Gillie, take me to my daughter.”
Gillie took the reins of his horse and was about to turn around when he stopped. “Oh, Finlay said I’m to warn you that Kyla was beaten bad. She does not look too good…my laird. That is, I hope you’ll be my laird.”
Alex motioned for him to continue, and they headed into the forest, leaving the lines of warriors behind. She was alive. That was all that mattered at present. He needed to see her for himself.
“She’s a strong lass like her mother and sire, Alex,” Brodie said. “Remember that.”
He nodded, unable to speak due to the huge lump that had found its way into his throat. They hit a meadow and Alex waved to Gillie to speed his horse into a gallop.
It felt like they rode for an eternity, though it had to be less than an hour, before Gillie led them to a burn.
They followed it as it widened, and a short time later he heard the musical sounds of the waterfall nearby.
Alex said a quick prayer that this was indeed Kyla and Finley and not a trap.
If his daughter was indeed safe, Gillie would be joining Clan Grant soon.
Gillie tipped his head back and whistled a bird call.
Within seconds, Finlay stepped out from behind the waterfall, carrying Kyla in his arms. He could see the tears rolling down the lad’s face and his gut clenched.
Had they come too late? Was she gone? Her eyes were closed, but her color, what he could see past the bruises and swelling, was not the worst he’d ever seen.
Dismounting, he pulled on his inner strength not to fall to his knees, instead moving over to stand in front of Finlay, who’d stepped into the grass, still clutching Kyla to his chest.
“Is she alive, Finlay?”
Finlay nodded. “Aye, she still breathes.”
“Are you alone?”
“We have not been followed.”
Alex reached for his daughter, but Finlay stepped away from him. “I would like to, my laird, but movement pains her terribly.”
Alex stood back and nodded, his eyes traveling across his daughter’s beautiful face. It was covered with purple and blue marks, one eye was badly swollen, and her lips were cut and scabbed. As his gaze traveled the length of her body, fury built inside him like a raging fire.
He’d experienced a fury like this once before, when he’d watched a depraved bastard take a lash to his wife’s back, but this was different.
Now, he was older and more capable of controlling his fury, channeling it into vengeance.
This was fury that would turn him into a predator, a cat that would pace around his enemy until he had the bastard just where he wanted him.
They had done this to his daughter, the one who had been strapped to his chest as a bairn, her giggles and blue eyes ensuring she had a special place in his heart all her own.
This. Was. His. Baby.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, letting the tears fall onto his cheeks unabashedly. He wished to cuddle her as he had when she was a bairn, keep everyone away from her.
Finlay nodded to Alex and the others. His sire, Nicol, took a step toward him. The warrior finally spoke, “I have something I’d like to say.”
Alex nodded. “Go ahead. You have a few moments before I send her to Cameron land. My sisters can help her heal.”
Finlay kissed Kyla’s cheek and said, “My apologies to all of you for my hand in this travesty. My laird, I need you to know that I love your daughter. Naught would please me more than to ask for her hand in marriage, but I understand that first I must prove my worth. I foolishly thought I should leave Clan Grant after my mother’s passing, but now I realize that there is no place I’d rather be than by this woman’s side.
I set out to prove my worthiness to you as a suitor for your daughter, but I bungled everything terribly.
I will accept your decision, whatever ‘tis, but I do love her with all my heart.”
He waited, his gaze on him. Alex had been struck speechless. It was the last thing he’d expected Finlay to say at this moment. “Lad, I think ‘tis something I need to think on…”
Kyla opened her eyes and did her best to smile. “Papa? ‘Tis you truly? And Finlay…would you mind repeating what you just said?”
Gillie hurried up to her and shouted, “He says he loves you and wishes to marry you.”
Finlay chuckled and kissed her gently. “Aye, I do love you. But I know I must prove myself.”
“Finlay, set her down please,” Alex said.
“Nay, it pains her to stand, my laird. Either her ankle is twisted or her foot broken, so with all due respect, I cannot set her down in good conscience.”
“Is there a boulder I could sit on behind that waterfall?” Alex pointed in that direction.
Gillie said, “Aye, there are two large ones.”
“I’d like a few moments alone with my daughter. Please hand her to me.” Alex reached for his daughter and scooped her into his arms as carefully as he could.
She winced but was able to grab his shoulders, and he carried her behind the cascading water, feeling a few cool splashes on his face. It helped ground him in the moment as he settled on the boulder with Kyla on his lap. “You are comfortable enough to talk?”