Chapter Twenty-Four #6
“The lad tells me you are Loki Grant of the legend of the Norse battle?”
“Legend? I’m not sure about that, Father, but aye, I am Loki Grant and this is my wife Bella.” Loki took a few steps in the direction of the friar.
Kenzie bolted down the aisle and yanked on Loki’s hand. “Come closer, you must see Father Prestwick closer.”
His mischievous grin made Loki pause—the lad was clearly up to something—but he decided to venture closer to the priest anyway. Loki had to admit the man had a certain pull to him. He moved down the center of the aisle, Bella following directly behind him.
As he approached the priest, Loki dipped his head, then lifted his eyes to meet the other man’s gaze. Bella gasped behind him and wee Kenzie was practically dancing on his feet behind the priest, a wide grin on his face. “Do you see what I see, Loki?”
Aye, he did. The priest’s eyes widened as he stared at Loki. “Are you the son of Ciara Blackett?” he choked out.
Loki nodded, unable to speak for a moment. The priest had one blue eye and one green eye, just as he did. Loki glanced at Kenzie and whispered, “You knew.”
Kenzie nodded, a grin still on his face. “You are the only two I ever met with eyes of different colors, and yet they are exactly the same. Do you no’ think ‘tis odd? You would no’ have believed me if I told you. You had to see for yourself.”
A fine tremor shook the priest’s hands as he whispered, “Excuse me, I think I need to sit down for a moment.”
Loki helped him to a nearby bench, then sat down beside him. “Are you all right, Father?”
“Aye. If you’ll give me a moment to collect myself, I’d be happy to explain.
” He reached inside his robe and pulled out a linen square, wiping his forehead and his cheeks before he set it back inside his robe.
“Kenzie, would you do me the favor of taking Bella into my chambers? You can find a piece of fruit for each of you.”
“Aye, Father.” Kenzie held his hand out to Bella, who leaned down to kiss Loki’s cheek before she left.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Loki is finally able to say the words in his heart to his parents.
Brodie made his way over to Bella, and Loki could see his mother’s gaze on him, her happiness and unconditional love washing over him like the softest of furs. He stood by the door like a statue.
He didn’t know how. Hellfire, he had been so certain he would finally be able to tell her how he felt. He’d rehearsed it over and over in his mind on their trek.
Bella, Celestina, and Brodie chatted as he leaned against the door, attempting to organize his thoughts, failing miserably as comment after comment brewed in his mind only to be tossed aside as insufficient.
How did one do it?
How did one person thank another for taking him from squalor?
For renewing his hope and faith? At the age of seven or eight summers, he had feared he would be forever cold, forever hungry, forever lonely…
nay…forever alone. Instead, Brodie and Celestina Grant had made him forever loved, forever grateful, and forever happy and full of life.
“Loki?” It was his mother’s voice, the sweet cadence that was a comfort to his soul. “Are you all right?”
“Mama, I just wanted…I would like…” The words just wouldn’t come.
His sire wrapped his arm around his mother’s waist. “Son?”
He tried again, forcing the words beyond the lump in his throat, “I met my true sire. He’s a Blackfriar, a nice man. I’ll tell you about him sometime. But I just wanted to tell you…”
He saw the quick twinge of disappointment in their eyes before they masked it. Och, how he hated to cause them pain. Then he knew. No more. It was in his power to comfort his mother, and he would do it.
Bella stood off to the corner, his beautiful Bella, and as if she could read the words in his heart, she gave him a slight nod of encouragement.
“I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate all you’ve done for me, loving me the way you have—” he paused for long enough to see the delight emerge in his mother’s eyes, “—and that you will always be my true parents. You took me in when I needed it most, and you’ve been wonderful every day since then, and I will be forever grateful… forever.”
His mother ambled toward him, her steps shaky and graceless, which was completely out of character for her.
She’d always waited for him to come to her.
“Oh, Loki. You know we love you, and I’d be overjoyed to hear about your true sire.
” She reached up to wrap her arms around him at the same time that his father grasped his shoulder.
His mouth opened, and the words he uttered were weak, but audible nonetheless. “I love you both.”
“Loki, did something happen we are not aware of?” Brodie asked.
“Nay, I just…it took me a long time to believe I deserved to come here, but now I do. And I understand what was in your hearts when you took me in.”
“Do you?” His mother cupped his cheeks to bring his gaze down to hers. “Do you understand what it was like for me to be locked in a chamber for most of my life, with no friends or family who loved me?”
His head ached terribly from the truth of her words. “Aye, I do.”
“That is correct, you do. And you and your father helped to put an end to that for me. So you are more than deserving of the good will that has come your way since then. Please do not ever forget that. You found a way into our hearts quickly. But you seem to understand that a bit better now.”
Loki’s knees threatened to buckle, but the booming sound of his father’s voice forced them back to a locked position. “Let’s get something to eat and let Kenzie know we have not deserted him. Celestina, wait until you meet this new lad.”
Finally, the strings that had been choking his soul loosened, freeing him from all the things that had been niggling at him for quite some time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Loki is granted Castle Curanta as its chieftain, and he and Bella adopt Kenzie.
After they had all stuffed themselves, Alex stood at the dais, his usual movement when he was about to make a speech. The large crowd settled quickly.
“As most of you are aware, our clan was once again challenged by an evil force that attempted to hurt one of our own and steal some of our wealth.
We were able to easily put an end to this threat.
I thank all the warriors for traveling with me, as well as their wives for supporting them in this venture.
“Fortunately, the battle was short. Loki, Bella, and Kenzie, come forward please.”
Kenzie’s eyes bulged, but he came forward as requested, his wee legs trembling, bending his neck as far back as he could to gaze up at Alex Grant. Bella reached down to squeeze his hand in a show of support.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am of my nephew, Loki Grant,” Alex continued, “who demonstrated the value of his years of hard work and training in front of all of us. He fought hard and achieved a quick victory in a pivotal sword fight. I also wish to commend Kenzie, who helped us from start to finish, and was the person who retrieved King Alexander’s jewels. ”
Shouts and cheers erupted from the clan, and Kenzie beamed from all the attention.
Alex raised his hands to quiet everyone. “Kenzie, we are pleased to have you at Clan Grant, and there are two people here who are interested in adopting you if you agree. Loki and Bella would like you to be their son if you are agreeable.”
Kenzie’s delight and surprise told them all how he felt.
He burst into tears and looked from Bella to Loki, then back again.
He ran to Bella and hugged her tight, then rushed over to Loki to do the same.
He stared at both of them with a tear-stained face and asked, “I do not have to live alone? I have parents and a Mama and a Papa again?”
Bella knelt in front of him, Loki right beside her, and the sight of the lad’s crumpled face nearly broke her heart. She couldn’t imagine what Loki must be thinking and wondered how close this was to his life. “Aye, ‘tis true, Kenzie, if you wish to stay with us.”
“Aye, I prayed every day, just like Father Brian and Father Francis told me. I asked for a new mama and papa, and now you are here.” He hugged them again. “Many thanks. I love you both.”
Bella’s tears slid down her cheeks, but she wiped them away when Alex motioned for them to stand.
“This really is not finished yet, though I’m pleased to see that Kenzie Grant will officially be your son. We have taken over a small castle not far from here, and my brothers and I have decided that we wish to ask Loki to take over as chieftain of the keep.”
Gasps of surprise and cheers and whistles greeted Alex’s announcement. Bella’s heart swelled with pride as she turned to look at Loki. He met her gaze with a question in his eyes. “What do you think?”
Bella nodded with tears in her eyes. “Aye. I’ll go anywhere you wish to go, Loki. Forever.”
Epilogue
Welcome, Lucas!
Bella stepped cautiously, her hands on Maddie’s shoulder, making her way from the chair back to the changed bed.
“There you are,” Maddie said. “Do you not feel much better with a fresh gown on? We’ll get you back in bed so you can rest. What a fine son you have.”
“Many thanks, Lady Madeline.”
“Once we get you settled, I’ll get Loki to bring the bairn back up to you. Have you decided what you’d like to name him?”
Bella frowned as she thought back on all the names she and Loki had discussed. “We tried many times, but we just could not come up with the perfect name without having first seen the babe. Once he returns, we’ll discuss it.”
Once they had her in bed and covered with furs again, a knock sounded on the door. Loki entered carrying their bairn with Father Prestwick, Celestina, and Brodie trailing behind them. Caralyn motioned to Ashlyn and Maddie, and they all stepped out of the chamber to make room for the others.
“Good eve to you, my lady,” Father Prestwick said.
“Father? What a lovely surprise.” Bella glanced at her husband to see his reaction, but he seemed pleased. Brodie and Celestina both had genuine smiles on their faces, so she hoped Father Prestwick’s visit was acceptable to all.
“I apologize for the surprise at such a moment. I had no idea, but I confess that I am overjoyed to see the babe.”
Celestina pulled a stool out for him. “Father, please sit.” She sat in the chair next to him. “Bella, we’re all pleased to meet Father Prestwick, and he wished to give you his best wishes. I promise we will not tire you.”
“Aye, congratulations on your new bairn.” Brodie kissed her cheek.
“Father? Would you mind giving a wee blessing on our son?”
“Why, of course, lass. I’d be delighted.”
He took his place beside Loki and reached for the babe’s forehead, but then stopped. “What’s his name?”
He glanced at Loki, then at Bella, but neither spoke. Bella nodded at Loki, because she knew her husband and could see in his gaze that he had thought of the perfect name.
He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then gazed at the beautiful babe in his arms.
“Lucas. His name is Lucas.”